Unit 1 Definitions Flashcards
ThroughFlow
Horizontal movement of water down-slope through the soil.
Interception
Water temporarily stored on the surface of vegetation.
Percolation
The vertical downward movement of water through the soil to groundwater.
Infiltration
Movement of water from the ground surface into the soil.
Overland Flow
Water flowing into a river from the groundwater store.
Precipitation
Rain, snow, sleet, hail, dew.
Throughfall
Water dropping off vegetation to the ground surface.
Baseflow
Flow of water over the ground surface.
Surface Storage
Water held in puddles, lakes and reservoirs.
Transpiration
Water lost from vegetation through stomata.
Water Table
Upper level of groundwater.
Channel Flow
Water flowing within a river.
Groundwater Store
Water stored in permeable rock below the water table.
Channel Store
Water held within a river.
Stem Flow
Water flowing over leaves, stems and branches.
Drainage Basin
An area where water from rain or snow melt drains downhill into a body of water such as a river, lake, wetland, or ocean.
Watershed
An area of land that channels rainfall, snow melt, and runoff into a common body of water.
Evaporation
The process of changing from a liquid state into vapour.
Saturation - Excess Overland Flow
Surface water input on areas already saturated.
Infiltration - Excess Overland Flow
The rate of water input on land surface is higher than the infiltration rate.
Porous
Small holes, so liquid and air can pass through.
Pervious
Allows liquid or gas to pass through.
Permeable
Able to be penetrated.
River Regime
The annual variation in the discharge or flow of a river at a particular point.
