The Soil Water Budget

Question 1

What does the Soil Water Budget show?

Answer 1

The annual balance between inputs and outputs in the water cycle and their impact on soil water storage/availability.

Question 2

What is the water budget dependant on?

Answer 2

type, depth, the year and the permability of the soil and bedrock.

Question 3

What can be found in Autumn on the water budget?

Answer 3

A greater input from precipitation than there is an output from evapotranspiration as trees lose their leaves and the cooler temperatures mean that the plants photosynthesise less. Soil moisture levels increase and a water surplus occurs

Question 4

What can be found in Winter through the Water Budget?

Answer 4

Potential evapotranspiration from plants reaches a minimum and the preciptaion continues to refill the soil water .

Question 5

What can be found in the Spring through the Water budget?

Answer 5

Plants start to grow again and potential evapotranspiration increases as temperatures get higher and plants start photosynthesising more. There is still a water surplus though at this time.

Question 6

What can be found in the Summer through the Water budget?

Answer 6

The hotter weather 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 so the soil water stores are depleting . A water deficit may occur.