Water & Carbon: EGC All Class Quizlet Flashcards
Ablation
Outputs from a glacial system due to melting (size of glacier decreases)
Accumulation
Inputs to a glacial system due to snowfall (builds a glacier)
Acidification
The gradual reduction of pH of the oceans, due to dissolving carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
Afforestation
Planting trees and vegetation in the aim of increasing forest cover
Anticyclone
A system of high pressure, causing high temperatures and unseasonably high evaporation rates.
Aquifer
A vast underground reservoir most commonly formed in rocks such as chalk and sandstone
Atmosphere
The air that surrounds the Earth
Baseflow
The groundwater flow that feeds into rivers through river banks and river beds
Biofuel
Burning crops and vegetation for electricity and heat.
Biosphere
All living things on Earth
Burial and compaction
Where organic matter becomes buried and is then compressed by the overlying sediment
Carbon budget
A way of using data to describe the amount of carbon that is stored and transferred within the carbon cycle
Carbon capture and storage (CCS)
The technological ‘capturing’ of carbon emitted from power stations. Atmospheric carbon dioxide is compressed into a liquid and is then pumped and stored several kilometres into the ground.
Carbon farming
Where one type of crop is replaced by another that has greater productivity and can absorb more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
Carbon Fluxes
The movement of carbon between stores
Carbon Neutral
A process that has no net addition of carbon dioxide to the environment.
Carbon sink
Anything that absorbs more carbon than it releases eg the ocean
Carbon source
Anything that releases more carbon than it absorbs
Carbon Stores
Places where carbon accumulates for a period of time such as rocks and plant matter
Cattle Ranching
The practise of raising a herd of cattle on an area of land. Deforestation often occurs to provide the field space. Cattle ranching is responsible for 80% of deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest.
Channel flow
The movement of water in the river channel moving towards the sea.
Channel storage
The storage of water in the river channel. As water is being transported to the sea it is a store of water
Choke Points
Points in the logistics of energy and fuel that are prone to restriction
Clear Cutting
Loggers are interested in all types of wood and therefore cut all the trees down, thus clearing the forest. This is not sustainable.
Climatic climax
The final stage of seral succession. Vegetation remains relatively unchanged unless destroyed by an event such as fire or human interference.
Closed system
A system with only inputs and outputs of energy
Combustion
The process where carbon is burned in the presence of oxygen and converted to energy, carbon dioxide and water eg wildfires or burning fossil fuels
Condensation
The change from a gas to a liquid
Confluence
The point where two rivers meet
Convectional rainfall
Rainfall formed when heat from the sun heats the ground. The warm ground heats the air above causing it to rise, cool, condense, and form rain.
Cross-profile
Shows a cross-section of a river’s channel and valley at a certain point along the river’s course. Nearer the source the Cross profile will show a v shaped river channel, as erosion increases towards the mouth the cross profile becomes wider
Cryosphere
The global water volume locked up within a frozen state (i.e. snow and ice).
Decomposition
The break down of matter, often by a decomposer which releases carbon dioxide through their own respiration.
Deforestation
The removal of trees, leading to surface runoff and soil erosion and reducing soil water stores
Depression
A system of low pressure, with fronts of precipitation where low and high pressure air masses meet.
Desalination Plant
The conversion of seawater to freshwater, suitable for human consumption
Desublimation
The change of state of water from gas to solid, without being a liquid (the opposite process to sublimation).
Diffusion
The movement of carbon between the ocean and the atmosphere. Cold water can hold more carbon so during glacials there is more diffusion into the ocean.
Drainage Basin
The area of land drained by a river and its tributaries.
Drainage Density
The total length of all rivers & streams divided by the area of the drainage basin.
Drainage Ditch
A narrow channel that is dug into peatland to encourage water to flow into rivers. They were built in peatland areas due to a rise in demand for agriculture. Draining peatland removes excess soil moisture and the land can then be used for agriculture.
Drought
An extended period of deficient rainfall relative to the statistical average for the region (UN).
Dynamic equilibrium
A state of balance where inputs equal outputs in a system that is constantly changing.
Economic Water Scarcity
When water resources are available but insufficient economic wealth limits access to it.
Emergent
The tallest layer of the rainforest. Can reach over 40m high.
Energy
Energy drives change/movement between components. For example, within the Water Cycle, energy from the sun transfers water into water vapor through evaporation.
Energy Mix
The composition of a country’s energy sources.
Energy Pathway
The movement of energy from its extraction or source, through pipes, freight logistics or cabling.
Energy Players
Key companies and individuals who own, distribute and sell energy and energy sources.
Energy Security
The ownership and full control of a country’s energy source, production and transportation.
Enhanced Greenhouse Effect
The build-up of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, reducing the amount of solar radiation reflected into space. The enhanced effect is because of human activities.
ENSO Cycles
El Niño Southern Oscillations- naturally occurring phenomena that involves the movement of warm water in the Equatorial Pacific.
Evaporation
The vapourisation of a liquid into a gas
Evapotranspiration
The combined total moisture transferred from the Earth to the atmosphere, through evaporation and transpiration.
Exmoor Mires
The project which sought to block the drainage ditches around the River Exe to allow the peat to become saturated again and reduce flooding.
Field capacity
The point at which soil becomes saturated.
Flood hydrograph
A graph showing the discharge of a river following a particular storm event
Frontal rainfall
Rainfall formed when warm air meets cold air. Warm air is less dense and therefore rises above the cold air, cooling, condensing, and forming rain.
Geology
The underlying rocks of the river/Drainage basin
Global Hydrological Cycle
The continuous transfer of water between land, atmosphere and oceans. The Earth is a closed system.
Groundwater flow
The flow of water below the water table through permeable rock.
Groundwater storage
The storage of water underground, held within the rocks below the earth
Hillslope system
The way in which water moves down a typical hillslope towards a river, involving stores and transfers
Humus
The organic component of soil, formed by the decomposition of leaves and other plant material by soil microorganisms.
Hydrocarbons
Compounds of carbon and hydrogen which are the basis of fossil fuels such as oil and gas
Hydrological Drought
Insufficient soil moisture to meet the needs of vegetation (crops, trees, plants) at a particular time
Hydrosphere
All the water on or surrounding the Earth, including oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, and the water in the atmosphere
Impermeable surface
Does not allow water to pass through
Indigenous land
Land where Indigenous people have the right to use the area for sustainable forest management and the exploitation of timber and non-timber forest resources. In practice, they have generally chosen to keep almost all of their lands as forest.
Infiltration
The movement of water vertically through the pores in soil
Inorganic Carbon
Carbon stored in carbonated rocks.
Inputs
Additions to a system. These include energy from the sun and precipitation.
Integrated Drainage Basin Management
Establishing a frame of coordinated efforts between administrations (e.g. local government) and stakeholders (e.g businesses) to achieve balanced management of a basin (World Bank).
Interception
Raindrops are prevented from falling directly onto the ground, instead hitting the leaves of a tree
Interflow
Water flowing downhill through permeable rock above the water table
Irrigation
The supply of water to the land by means of channels, streams, and sprinklers in order to permit the growth of crops
Lag time
Time between peak rainfall and peak discharge
Land Use
The different uses of the land, for example farmland, grassland, pasture, moorland, urban area. Land use can alter river discharge.
Lithosere
A vegetation succession that originates on a bare rocky surface. Bare rock will be colonised by lichens, followed by mosses and grass. Eventually, soil builds up allowing shrubs and trees to grow until climatic climax is reached.
Lithosphere
The outermost solid layer of the Earth, approximately 100km thick, comprising the crust and upper mantle
Logging
Cutting down trees for sale as timber or pulp.
The timber is used to build homes, furniture, etc. and the pulp is used to make paper and paper products. Logging can be either selective or clear cutting.
Meteorological Drought
When long-term precipitation trends are below average
Milankovitch cycles
Changes in the shape of Earth’s orbit and tilt that cause glacial periods and interglacial periods. This is a long-term natural cause of climate change on Earth, causing changes to the carbon cycle as cooler oceans absorb more carbon and colder temperatures slow vegetation growth and decomposition.
Mitigation
Any method used to reduce or prevent emission of greenhouse gases
Model
Idealised representation of reality
Monsoon
The drastic variation between wet and dry seasons for sub tropical areas, caused by a changed prevailing wind. Can lead to annual flooding.
Mouth
The point where the river meets the sea. The river is wide and deep here, and discharge is high.
Relief
The shape of the land and the height above sea level.
National & International Agreements
Agreements made between countries to reduce the amount of deforestation taking place. This can involve higher income countries offering debt relief if the lower income countries reduce their rates of deforestation.
National Parks & Reserves
A park in use for conservation purposes, created and protected by national governments/An area of forest set aside and preserved by the government. This area is protected from deforestation.
Negative feedback
When a change in the system causes other changes that have the opposite effect. This nullifies the initial change and restores balance in a system back to dynamic equilibrium
Non-renewable
A source of energy that can only be used once to generate electricity or takes thousands of years to replace e.g. Fossil Fuels.
Nuclear Fusion
The process of joining atomic nuclei together, to produce energy.
Offset
Counteract (something) by having an opposing force or effect. Carbon offsetting is where companies invest in green solutions to make up for/offset their Carbon footprint.
OPEC
Oil and Petroleum exporting countries. An organisation that supports and coordinates fossil fuel exporting countries
Open system
A system with inputs and outputs of both energy and matter
Organic Carbon
Carbon stored in plant material and living organisms.
Outgassing
The release of dissolved carbon dioxide (e.g. at plate boundaries, warming the oceans).
Outputs
Removal of energy or matter from a system. These include evaporation and river discharge.
Peat Bog
Wet spongy ground of decomposing vegetation; has poorer drainage than a swamp; soil is unfit for agriculture but can be cut and dried and used for fuel. The presence of peat bogs reduces flooding as water from precipitation is stored in the bogs and released slowly in the river channel, increasing lag time.
Percolation
Water moving downwards through bedrock and soil below the water table
Permeable surface
Allows water to pass through
Photosynthesis
The process whereby plants use the light energy from the sun to produce carbohydrates in the form of glucose. This removes carbon from the atmosphere and allows vegetation to grow.
Physical Water Scarcity
A physical lack of available freshwater which cannot meet demand.
Phytoplankton
Small organisms that rely on photosynthesis to survive, so intake carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
Positive feedback
When a change in the system causes other changes that have a similar effect so that the initial change is amplified and the system moved further away from dynamic equilibrium
Precipitation
The process of water falling from the sky
Primary Energy
The initial source of energy, as it is naturally found. This could be natural ores, water, crops or radioactive material
Process
A series of natural or human actions that take place within a system.
Relief/Orographic rainfall
Rainfall formed due to warm moist air being forced to rise by the relief of the land. Once risen, the air cools and condenses forming rain.
Renewable
Primary energy that can be re used to produce electricity or has a short lifetime, therefore any used can be replaced quickly e.g. Hydroelectric, biomass, solar.
Respiration
A chemical process that happens in all cells, which converts glucose into energy. Carbon is released back to the atmosphere but less than is absorbed for photosynthesis meaning that vegetation is naturally a carbon sink.
River discharge
The output of water from a river channel out to sea.
River Regime
The pattern of river discharge over a year.
Runoff
Water flowing over the surface of the ground eg. after precipitation or snowmelt.
Salinisation
Where salt water contaminates freshwater stores or soils, creating saline conditions and reducing human use/ consumption.
Salt water intrusion
The movement of saltwater into an aquifer, which may cause contamination. Often caused by over abstraction of groundwater from an aquifer.
Secondary Energy
The product of primary energy, mostly electricity
Selective Logging
The practise of cutting down selected trees whilst leaving the rest unharmed. Often, more expensive hardwoods such as mahogany are felled, leaving fast growing softwoods to continue growing. This is a more sustainable method of deforestation.
Sequestration
The transfer of carbon from the atmosphere to stores elsewhere - living biosphere, inorganic rocks, etc.
Seral stage
A stage within a sere
Sere
A complete vegetation succession
Shrub layer/forest floor
The smallest layer of the rainforest, around 10m high.
Smart Irrigation
Providing crops with a water supply less than optimal, to make crops resistant to water shortages.
Soil moisture budget
Describes the changes in the soil water store during the course of a year. It is determined by precipitation and evapotranspiration.
Soil moisture deficit
The point at which soil moisture falls below field capacity - caused by a lack of precipitation and large amounts of evapotranspiration
Soil moisture recharge
Following soil moisture deficit, precipitation is greater than potential evapotranspiration, moisture will be added to the soil.
Soil moisture surplus
The period when soil is saturated and water cannot enter, and so flows over the surface - caused by low levels of evapotranspiration and high levels of precipitation
Soil moisture utilisation
The extraction of soil moisture by plants for their needs
Soil porosity
Pores or spaces in the soil. The greater pores or spaces, the greater the water holding ability.
Source
The point where the river begins. The river is both narrow and shallow here, discharge is low.
Soy Moratorium
An agreement whereby traders cannot purchase soy from land that has been deforested since 2006.
Stemflow
Water running down a plant stem or tree trunk
Stores
An accumulation of matter - eg a lake
Storm Hydrograph
Variation of river discharge over a short period of time (days).
Sublimation
The change of state of water from solid to a gas, without being a liquid.
Surface run off (overland flow)
Water flowing across the surface from rainwater, snowmelt
Surface storage
Includes water in puddles, ponds, and lakes
System
A group of interacting, interrelated, or interdependent elements or parts that function together as a whole.
The Water Balance
An equation used to express the amount of water in the main water stores (the spheres)
Thermohaline Circulation
The movement of volumes of seawater from cold deep water to warm water surface water.
Through flow
Water flowing horizontally through the soil above the water table
Throughfall
Water dripping from one leaf to another
Tipping Point
A critical threshold where any changes to a system after the tipping point are irreversible
Topography
Describes the physical features of an area of land. These features typically include natural formations such as mountains, rivers, lakes, and valleys. Manmade features such as roads, dams, and cities may also be included.
Transfers or flows
Movement of matter (eg water and carbon) between stores
Transpiration
The process through which water evaporates through the stomata in plants’ leaves.
Tributary
Smaller rivers that feed into the main channel
Under Canopy
The second layer of the rainforest, reaches around 20m high.
Upper Canopy
The Second tallest layer of the rainforest, reaches around 30-40m high. This is the densest layer of the rainforest and contains the most species. 75% of rainfall is intercepted in this canopy layer
Urbanisation
The increasing proportion of people living in towns and cities as opposed to the countryside, leading to the replacement of vegetated ground with impermeable concrete and tarmac
Vegetation Breezing
When land is cleared the air warms faster, rises and creates an area of low pressure. Rainclouds form above the cleared area and rainfall occurs at expense of the forested area. This rainfall can lead to desertification of the cleared area, preventing any future regrowth.
Vegetation storage
Water taken up by plants and contained in plants
Vegetation succession
The sequence of changes that take place as plant life colonises bare rock, sand, water or salty areas
Water abstraction
The extraction of water from rivers or groundwater aquifers
Water Budget
The annual balance between inputs and outputs within a system.
Water Conservation
Strategies to reduce water usage and demand.
Water Recycling
The treatment and purification of waste water, to increase supply
Water Scarcity
There are limited renewable water sources (between 500 and 1000 cubic metres per capita per year).
Water Security
The ability to protect and access a sustainable source to adequately meet demand.
Water Sharing Treaty
International agreements for transboundary sources.
Water table
The level where water has saturated the ground; The upper level of saturated rock
Water Transfer
Hard engineering projects, such as pipelines or aqueducts, that divert water between basins to meet demand.
Watershed
The edge of a drainage basin
Weathering
The breakdown or decay of rocks in their original place at, or close to, the surface (In situ).
