Rivers (Drainage Basins, Discharge & Processes, Long Profile & Landforms) Flashcards
What is a drainage basin?
The area of land drained by a river
What are the 3 types of systems? (With explanation)
- isolated- NO input or output of energy
- Closed- there is input, output and transfer of energy but not of matter
- Open- inputs AND outputs of both energy and matter
When input and output of the system is balanced, it is called…
Dynamic equilibrium
What is evapotranspiration?
combination of evaporation and transpiration
How is water balance calculated?
Precipitation = runoff + evapotranspiration (P = Q + E)
What is recharge?
After a period of deficiency, precipitation will occur and replace the lost water in the soil
What is field capacity?
The maximum amount of water that the soil can hold before it becomes saturated
What is infiltration?
The movement of water in the soil layers
What is the interception zone?
Underground rock strata which are saturated and contain few or no air spaces
What is stem flow/ drip?
Movement of water vegetation to the ground surface
What is the zone of aeration?
Underground strata of rock which contain air spaces and allow the passage of water
What is channel flow?
Movement of water confined within a stream
What is a water table?
The upper layer of saturated rock (it may move between seasons and years)
What is base flow?
The slow movement of water underground under by gravity, by a process of gradual seepage through saturated rock
What is through flow?
The movement of water through the soil, either under gravity, or parallel to the ground surface
What is overland flow?
The movement of water over the ground surface (aka. Surface runoff)
What is the hydrological cycle?
The processes by which water moves through the landscape
What is transpiration?
The movement of water through plant cells into the atmosphere
What is an aquifer?
A water reserve
What does an aquifer do?
Maintain stream flow during extended dry spells
What is a feedback loop?
When a system loses and attempts to regain its balance
How do negative feedback loops attempt to regain equilibrium?
reducing inputs or increasing outputs
How do positive feedback loops attempt to regain equilibrium?
rather than stabilizing a system, they drive it further toward one extreme or another
What are some examples of physical consequences of water stored in ice and oceans?
- increased coastal erosion
- more extensive coastal inundation
- higher storm
