All Flashcards
What are the effects of deforestation on flooding?
Deforestation increases flooding due to reduced transpiration and increased runoff.
How does urbanization cause increased runoff?
Urbanization creates more impervious surfaces, preventing water from soaking into the ground and increasing runoff.
What is the impact of climate change on water availability?
Climate change can lead to altered precipitation patterns, causing droughts in some areas and floods in others.
What is the effect of dams on downstream ecosystems?
Dams alter water flow, sediment transport, and nutrient distribution, impacting downstream habitats and species.
How does agricultural irrigation affect water resources?
Agricultural irrigation increases water demand and can deplete groundwater resources, leading to water scarcity.
What are the consequences of soil erosion on water quality?
Soil erosion leads to sedimentation of waterways, reducing water clarity and harming aquatic life.
How does pollution affect the water cycle?
Pollution contaminates water sources, reducing the availability of clean water and harming ecosystems.
What is the impact of reduced transpiration on local climate?
Reduced transpiration can lead to decreased humidity and increased local temperatures.
How does over-extraction of groundwater affect land subsidence?
Over-extraction of groundwater can cause the ground to compact, leading to land subsidence and sinkholes.
What are the effects of increased surface runoff on water pollution?
Increased surface runoff carries pollutants into waterways, degrading water quality and harming aquatic ecosystems.
What are the main steps of the water cycle?
Evaporation/Transpiration, Condensation, Precipitation, Runoff/Percolation/Plant Uptake.
Describe the process of evapotranspiration.
Liquid water is converted to water vapor through evaporation and transpiration, then rises into the atmosphere.
Outline the steps of precipitation formation.
Water vapor condenses in the atmosphere, forming clouds, and then falls back to Earth as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
Explain the process of surface runoff.
Water flows over the land's surface, collecting in streams and rivers, and eventually returning to larger bodies of water.
Describe the process of percolation.
Water seeps into the ground, filtering through soil and rock layers, and replenishing groundwater aquifers.
Explain the process of plant uptake of water.
Plants absorb water through their roots, transport it to their leaves, and use it for photosynthesis and transpiration.
Describe the process of condensation.
Water vapor in the air cools and changes back into liquid form, forming clouds.
What happens to precipitation after it reaches the ground?
It either flows as runoff, percolates into the ground, or is taken up by plants.
Describe the movement of water from the ocean to the land and back.
Evaporation from the ocean, transport of water vapor over land, precipitation, runoff, and return flow to the ocean.
What is the role of gravity in the water cycle?
Gravity drives the flow of water downhill, influencing runoff and percolation.
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.