Flows- Local Scale Flashcards
Flows in a local scale
Infiltration, Percolation, through flow , Surface runoff, Groundwater flow, streamflow and stem flow
Infiltration
Process of water moving from above ground into the soil
- The infiltration capacity refers to how quickly infiltration occurs
- Grass crops and tree roots create passages for water to flow through from the surface into the soil, therefore increasing the infiltration capacity
If precipitation falls at a greater rate than the infiltration capacity then overland flow will occur-moderate/ fast
Percolation
Water moves from the ground or soil into porous rock or rock fractures
- the percolation rate is dependent on the fractures that may be present in the rock and the permeability of the rock
-slow
Throughflow
Water moves through the soil into streams or rivers
Speed of flow is dependent on the type of river
-moderate/fast
Surface runoff
Water flows above the ground
Groundwater flow
Water moves through the rocks
- Usually slow but variable
Streamflow
Water that moves through established channels
- Fast
Stem flow
Flow of water that has been intercepted by plants or trees, down a stem, leaf, branch or other part of a plant
- Fast