Hydrology Flashcards
________ is the most important
determinant of the establishment and
maintenance of species, types of
wetlands, and wetland processes. It’s the ___________ behind wetland formation.
hydrology
“driving force”
Give a general definition of hydrology
the study of water, including its movement, properties, and distribution
Give a wetlands definition of hydrology
the timing and extent of flooding or soil
saturation that is influenced by rainfall, soil permeability, position in the landscape, surrounding land use, and
vegetation type
What the dimensions of hydrology between and within wetlands?
Across wetlands
* Water sources
(HGM classification)
Within a wetland
* Duration
* Frequency
* Depth
* Flow
(hydrological dynamics)
What are the wetland water sources?
What are the wetland water losses?
Define recharge wetlands
Define discharge wetlands
Define flow-through wetlands
Define perched wetlands
What is the mass balance equation for a wetland?
What is the water budget equation for a wetland?
What is the difference between wetting duration and frequency? How are they similar?
________ is the seasonal pattern of water levels in a wetlands
* The “hydrologic signature” of a wetland
* Pattern is reflected in the wetland _____
Hydroperiod
hydrograph
What factors influence the duration of wetting?
- Topography – concave, low lying places on the landscape
- A “bowl” that can hold water!
- Geology – parent material is important
- Certain types of rocks create impervious
layers or breakdown into sediments
that are impervious - Hard for water to drain through, so
encourage water ponding at the surface - Sediments – clay content, impacted soil
How do we quantify wetland hydrology?
- Select monitoring sites
- Select & install proper equipment
- Collect & interpret data
When picking a monitoring site what should be taken into account?
- Pick sites that are representative of a large area
- Pick at least one site in an area known to be hydric, and one site in the upland (transect).
- Replicate sites at the same landscape position (traverse).
- Often want to monitor across boundaries (Wetland vs. Non-Wetland or Hydric vs. Non-Hydric Soils)
How can we determine where boundaries are for wetland sites?
Look for wetland hydrology indicators – can be paired with indicators of hydric soils and hydrophytic vegetation
Define the wetland hydrology indicator classes A through D.
What are the differences between indicators being primary or secondary?
Class A indicators are always ________ while class D indicators are always _________
primary
secondary
What do wells do?
extend through more than one water-
bearing layer by allowing water through
perforations along most of the length of the pipe
What do Piezometers do?
allow penetration of water only at
the bottom of the pipe
What do IRIS tubes do?
they are Ferrihydrite coating on Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) pipes used to evaluate the presence of reducing conditions in the soil
