water and soil resources Flashcards
movement of water
around Earth’s surface
and its subsystems.
Hydrologic cycle
are the
places where water
resides for varying
amount of time
Reservoirs
are the processes that allow water to move between each reservoirs and subsystems
Pathways
is the evaporation of water from the leaves and stems of plants, which contributes about 10% of the water vapor in the atmosphere
transpiration
average length of
time spent by water molecule in a
reservoir.
residence time
is the saltiness of saltwater
salinity
a permanent body of ice (largely of
recrystallized snow)
glaciers
is a mass of glacial land ice
extending more than 50,000 km2
(covering
most of Greenland and Antarctica
Ice sheets
A soil, rock, or sediment that
is frozen for more than two
consecutive years.
permafrost
moving body surface water that flows downslope toward sea level because of gravity.
stream
stream has clearly-defined passageway
channels
is a stream with a considerable volume and a well-defined channel.
River
large inland bodies of fresh or saline
water
lakes
are small and shallow lakes
Ponds
are barriers constructed along
streams to contain the flow of water
Dams
Land areas where water covers the
surface for significant periods
Wetlands
type of wetlands
Marsh. swamp and estuary
a shallow wetland around lakes, streams, and oceans where grasses and reeds are the dominant vegetation
Marsh
wetland with lush trees and vegetation found in low-lying areas beside slow-movingrivers.oxygen in the water is typically low and swamp plants and animals are adapted to these low oxygen conditions. Mangrove forests are unique example of swamp ecosystem that tolerates salty condition
Swamp
partly enclosed coastal body of water where freshwater from stream meets the saltwater from the sea
Estuary
natural event wherein
an area that is usually
dry is submerged
under water.
FLood
fresh water found in the rock and soil layers
beneath the surface
groundwater
Water-bearing rock layers are called
aquifers
is the total amount of empty pore spaces
in the rock. It determines the amount of
groundwater that an aquifer can hold
porosity
essential component of the Earth
that enabled life to exist on the
planet and continues to support it
soil
s the living skin of
Earth which is a result of the
dynamic interaction among the
major subsystems.
Pedosphere
important in soil formation because its
chemistry and type will determine the
kind of soil that will be formed together
with the effects of the other factors.
Parent material
temperature, rainfall, and moisture affects pattern and intensity of soil-forming processes (weathering, leaching, transportation, and distribution)
Climate
gradient of the slope affects water
flow and erosion.
topography
plants, animals, microorganisms, and
humans affect soil formation.
Biological factors
soil formation is a long and continuous process (hundreds to
thousands years) depending on the climate and environment.
Time
refers to absolute soil
losses in terms of
topsoil and nutrients.
Soil Erosion
reduces the amount of air, water, and space
available to roots and soil organisms.
Soil compaction
characterized by droughts and
arid conditions as a result of
human activities and
exploitation
Desertification
led to the use of more machinery, deforestation,
and clearing of land for use in cultivation
Intensive Agriculture
ncreasing population → conversion of land
to urban centers (concrete structures)
• represent a significant loss of soil,
particularly because this loss becomes more
or less permanent as soil is sealed with
concrete
Urbanization
