Seasonal Variation Of The Soil Water Budget Flashcards
Autumn changes in the soil water budget
There is a greater input from precipitation than there is an output from capitalisation as deciduous trees lose their leaves and the cooler temperatures mean that the plant photosynthesis less
Soil moisture levels increase and a water surplus occurs
Winter changes in the soil water budget
Potential evaporation from plants reaches a minimum due to the colder temperatures and the precipitation continues to refill the soil water stores
Infiltration and percolation will also refill the water table
Spring changes to the soil water budget
Feb-March- planes start to grow again and potentiomnrvapotranspiration increases as temperatures get higher and plants start photosynthesising more
There is still a water surplus in this time
Summer changes to the soil water budget
The hotter water leads to utilisation of soil water as evapotranspiration peaks and rainfall is at a minimum. The output from evapotranspiration is greater than the input from precipitation do the soil water stores are defeating
A water deficit may occur if there is a long hot summer and spring, lack of winter rainfall or a drought the year before