WC 2.1.2- drainage basin

Question 1

2.1.2a- inputs such as precipitation type, amount, duration and intensity

define a drainage basin

Answer 1

a subsystem within the global hydrological cycle

Question 2

A drainage system has an o….. system, with what type of inputs and outputs

Answer 2

A drainage basin has an open system with external inputs and outputs with amount of water in basin, varying overtime

Question 3

name the only input into this system

Answer 3

precipitation

Question 4

define what precipitation is

Answer 4

precipitation is any product of the condensation of the atmospheric water vapour that falls under gravity

Question 5

in relation to air circulation, explain what leads to precipitation

Answer 5

Precipitation is from air being forced to rise. so as air rises, it cools but can’t hold as much moisture

Question 6

name 4 factors that changes precipitation and 3 that contribute to the precipitation occurring

Answer 6

• type
• duration
  -intensity
• amount
• -altitude & latitude
• pressure
• -seasonality

Question 7

what are the three types of precipitation

Answer 7

1- conventional precipitation
2- frontal precipitation
3- orographic rainfall

Question 8

name the three outputs of the drainage system

Answer 8

channel flows, evaporation, transpiration

Question 9

define the 3 outputs of the drainage system

Answer 9

1. Channel flow: the movement of water through a river which is also known as river discharge
2. Evaporation: the moisture going from the ground, to the air
3. Transpiration: the transfer of water from the vegetation to the atmosphere

Question 10

list the 6 stores in the drainage system

Answer 10

1. interception
2. vegetation
3. surface store
   4.soil moisture store
4. channel store
5. ground water store

Question 11

define or give Influences of each 6 stores in the drainage system
1. D
2. I
3. example
4. I
5. D
6. I

Answer 11

1. interception- defined as vegetation capturing the water before it lands
2. vegetation- is influenced by soil type, climate and human activity
3. surface store- lakes, reservoirs and ponds
4. soil moisture store- is dependent on the amount and type of precipitation, as well as the evaporation rate and permeability
5. channel store- defined as the total length of all rivers and streams in a drainage basin divided by the total area of the drainage basin .
6. ground water store- affected by permeability, infiltration and amount of precipitation

Question 12

list the 7 flows of the drainage system

Answer 12

1. through flow
2. through fall
3. stem flow
4. infiltration
5. percolation
6. ground water flow
7. overland flow

Question 13

give a definiton or what the flows are dependent on in the water drainage system
1. I
2. I
3. I
4. D
5. I
6. I

Answer 13

1. through flow- influences by soil type and saturation of the soil
2. through fall- dependant on vegetation coverage
3. stem flow- dependent on veg coverage, type of vegetation and the density of it
4. infiltration- dependent on the steepness slope and what type of vegetation there was
5. percolation- this is the movement of water through the soil itself and it is dependant on the geology
6. ground water flow- dependent on the geology and saturation of the ground (pre-anticedant conditions)
7. overland flow- dependent on soil, vegetation coverage as well as human activity such as concrete which is manmade and affect permeability