5.3 The hydrological cycle influences water budgets and river systems at a local scale.

Question 1

What is a water budget?

Answer 1

The balance between precipitation, evaporation and run-off.

Question 2

Positive water balance is when what exceeds what?

Answer 2

Inputs exceed outputs like the UK.

Question 3

Negative water balance is when what exceeds what?

Answer 3

Outputs exceed inputs.

Question 4

River regime -

Answer 4

Annual variation in discharge or flow of a river at a particular point. Can mask fluctuations in stream flow caused by immediate precipitation.

Question 5

Characteristics of a river regime are influenced by -

Answer 5

Size of river - complex regimes from varied catchments of drainage basins
Intensity and amount of precipitation - regimes may reflect rainfall, snow fields or glaciers melt when in early summer.
Temperatures - when warmer more evaporation and less water in river
Geology and overlying soils - regulated by their permeability as some water is stored in rocks and this can be released into the river as base flow, which regulate during dry periods.
Vegetation cover - wetlands can hold the water and release it very slowly into the system.
Human activities - dam buildings and urbanisation.

Question 6

Storm hydrographs -

Answer 6

Show the variations of discharge within a short period. An individual or group of short term storms.