All Flashcards
What is the role of the water cycle in nutrient transport?
The water cycle acts as a delivery service, moving nutrients and other substances around the planet.
Explain the connection between the water cycle and other biogeochemical cycles.
The water cycle interacts with other cycles by transporting elements and compounds, influencing their distribution and availability.
Why is understanding human impacts on the water cycle crucial?
Human activities can significantly disrupt the water cycle, leading to environmental consequences like flooding, erosion, and water scarcity.
How does deforestation affect the water cycle?
Deforestation reduces transpiration, leading to increased runoff, decreased infiltration, and increased risk of flooding and erosion.
How do agriculture and urbanization affect the water cycle?
They increase water demand, potentially leading to water scarcity and altered runoff patterns.
Describe the impact of climate change on the water cycle.
Climate change can alter precipitation patterns, increase evaporation rates, and lead to more extreme weather events, impacting water availability and distribution.
What is the role of surface runoff in the water cycle?
Surface runoff returns water to bodies of water, replenishing reservoirs and maintaining aquatic ecosystems.
What is the importance of percolation in the water cycle?
Percolation replenishes groundwater reserves, which are a vital source of drinking water and support ecosystems.
What is the role of plant uptake in the water cycle?
Plant uptake removes water from the soil, which is then transpired back into the atmosphere, contributing to evapotranspiration.
How do dams and water diversion projects affect the water cycle?
They alter natural flow patterns, potentially harming wildlife and disrupting the natural cycle.
Cause: Deforestation. Effect?
Increased runoff, soil erosion, and flooding due to reduced transpiration and water uptake.
Cause: Climate change. Effect?
Altered precipitation patterns, increased evaporation rates, and more extreme weather events, impacting water availability.
Cause: Urbanization. Effect?
Increased runoff due to impermeable surfaces, leading to potential flooding and reduced groundwater recharge.
Cause: Agricultural irrigation. Effect?
Increased water demand, potentially leading to water scarcity and depletion of groundwater resources.
Cause: Dam construction. Effect?
Altered river flow, habitat disruption, and potential changes in water temperature and nutrient transport.
Cause: Increased air pollution. Effect?
Acid rain, which can acidify water bodies and harm aquatic life.
Cause: Overuse of fertilizers. Effect?
Eutrophication of water bodies, leading to algal blooms and oxygen depletion.
Cause: Increased global temperatures. Effect?
Melting of glaciers and ice caps, contributing to sea-level rise and changes in freshwater availability.
Cause: Reduced forest cover. Effect?
Decreased carbon sequestration, contributing to climate change and further disruptions to the water cycle.
Cause: Increased water consumption. Effect?
Depletion of water resources, leading to water scarcity and potential conflicts over water rights.
Define hydrologic cycle.
The continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth.
What is evapotranspiration?
The combined processes of evaporation and transpiration, representing total water vapor entering the atmosphere.
Define evaporation.
The process where liquid water turns into water vapor due to heat.
What is transpiration?
The process where plants release water vapor through their leaves.
Define precipitation.
Water falling from the atmosphere in the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
What is surface runoff?
Water flowing over the land's surface into bodies of water.
Define percolation.
The process of water being absorbed into the ground and becoming groundwater.
What is plant uptake?
The absorption of water by plants through their roots.
Define groundwater.
Water held underground in the soil or in pores and crevices in rock.