Lesson 3 - Water Budgets

Question 1

Define Water Budget

Answer 1

Balance between inputs + outputs

Question 2

When does dynamic equilibrium occur?

Answer 2

Inputs = Outputs

Question 3

How is change in storage calculated?

Answer 3

Precipitation - Runoff + Evapotranspiration
(Change = P - Q + E)

Question 4

What are the main inputs and outputs that contribute to a water budget?

Answer 4

Input - Precipitation
Output - Evapotranspiration

Question 5

What is a budget surplus?

Answer 5

Inputs exceed outputs
Excess water not used by plants

Question 6

When does a budget deficiency occur?

Answer 6

Outputs exceed inputs
Soil moisture stores used up
Plants may need to adapt

Question 7

What is recharge?

Answer 7

Replacement of water lost from soils during drier periods

Question 8

What is soil moisture utilisation?

Answer 8

Soil water usage by people + plants
Reduces amount remaining in soils + river channels

Question 9

What is field capacity?

Answer 9

Maximum capacity of soil to hold water

Question 10

What increases during a budget surplus?

Answer 10

Recharge
Run off + groundwater flows

Question 11

What begins to occur when the soil water store is full?

Answer 11

Percolation into groundwater store