Drainage Basins Flashcards
What is a drainage basin?
the area of land surrounding a river and its tributaries which controls water entering and leaving
What is percolation?
water soaking down from the soil into ground water
What is infiltration?
water soaking down in to the soil from the surface
What is interception loss?
trees catching water on their leaves and using it to survive, preventing water from reaching the floor
What is through fall?
water falling down through leaves
What is through flow?
water moving through the soil
What is groundwater flow?
water moving through groundwater
What is overland flow?
water moving across the surface of the land
what is transpiration?
water that is evaporated from leaves
Why do rates of infiltration vary?
- soil type
- relief
- time
- amount of water
What factors affect water storage?
- vegetation type and coverage
- rate of evaporation/condensation
- rainfall
- relief
- humans
- seasons
What is the watershed?
the boundary of a drainage basin
What is a catchment?
an area of land where water flows into a single outlet
What natural factors cause changes to drainage basin processes?
- precipitation (prolonged? minimal?)
- evaporation
- seasonal changes
What human factors cause changes to drainage basin processes?
- urbanisation
- deforestation
- farming practices
- water abstraction
