Inputs, Stores, Flows and Outputs Definitions

Question 1

Define Precipitation

Answer 1

Includes all the ways moisture comes out of the atmosphere. Precipitation is mainly rain, but also includes other types like snow, hail, dew and frost.

Question 2

Define Interception

Answer 2

When some precipitation lands on vegetation or other structures, like buildings and concrete or tarmac surfaces, before it reaches the soil. It is only temporary because the collected water may evaporate quickly, or fall from the leaves as through fall.

Question 3

Define Vegetation Storage

Answer 3

Is the water been taken up by plants and contained in plants at any one time.

Question 4

Define Surface Storage

Answer 4

Includes water in puddles, ponds and lakes.

Question 5

Define Soil Storage

Answer 5

Includes moisture in the soil.

Question 6

Define Groundwater Storage

Answer 6

The water stored in the ground, either in the soil or in rocks.

Question 7

Define the Water Table

Answer 7

The water table is the top surface of the zone of saturation - the zone of soil or rock where all the pores in the soil or rock are full of water.

Question 8

Define Channel Storage

Answer 8

The water held in a river or stream channel.

Question 9

Define Flows

Answer 9

Water moving from one place to another.

Question 10

Define Infiltration

Answer 10

The water socking into the soil. Infiltration rates are influenced by soil type, soil structure and how much water’s already in the soil.

Question 11

Define Overland Flow

Answer 11

Is water flowing over the land. It happens because rain is falling on the ground faster than infiltration can occur.

Question 12

Define Throughfall

Answer 12

Is water dripping from one leaf to another.

Question 13

Define Stemflow

Answer 13

Is water running down a plant stem or a tree trunk.

Question 14

Define Throughflow

Answer 14

Is water moving slowly downhill through the soil. It occurs faster through pipes or crack in the soil.

Question 15

Define Percolation

Answer 15

Water seeping through the soil into the water table.

Question 16

Define Groundwater Flow

Answer 16

Water flowing slowly below the water table through permeable rock.

Question 17

Define Baseflow

Answer 17

Groundwater flow that feeds into rivers through river banks and river beds.

Question 18

Define Interflow

Answer 18

Water flowing downhill through permeable rock above the water table.

Question 19

Define Channel Flow

Answer 19

Water flowing in the river or stream itself. This is also called river’s discharge.

Question 20

Define Evaporation

Answer 20

Water turning into water vapour.

Question 21

Define Transpiration

Answer 21

Evaporation from within the leaves - plants and trees take up water through their roots and transport it to their leaves where it evaporates into the atmosphere.

Question 22

Define Evapotranspiration

Answer 22

The process of evaporation and transpiration together.

Question 23

Define River Discharge

Answer 23

River Discharge, or river flow, is another output.