Human and Physical impacts on Hydrological cycle

Question 1

Physical

Type of precipitation

Answer 1

Water falls as rain means it can run straight back to rivers

Water falls as snow means it has to defrost increasing run off time

Question 2

Physical

Type of soil

Answer 2

Sandy soils are more porous allowing water to run straight through to rivers faster

Waterlogged soils will hold and store water delaying run off time

Question 3

Human

Urbanisation

Answer 3

Removal of natural vegetation and replacement with impermeable surfaces and drains can speed up overland flow increasing water run off

Question 4

Human

Deforestation

Answer 4

Cutting down of trees increases run off as no plants to infiltrate water allowing it to return to sources faster