changing river enviroments 1.1

Question 1

What is a drainage basin?

Answer 1

A drainage basin is an area of land where all precipitation collects and drains off into a common outlet, such as a river or lake.

Question 2

True or False: The boundaries of a drainage basin are defined by ridges or hills.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

What is the main function of a drainage basin?

Answer 3

The main function of a drainage basin is to collect and transport surface water to rivers and lakes.

Question 4

Fill in the blank: The ________ model describes the changes in river characteristics from the source to the mouth.

Answer 4

Bradshaw

Question 5

What are the four main characteristics examined in the Bradshaw model?

Answer 5

Width, depth, velocity, and discharge.

Question 6

Multiple Choice: Which of the following is NOT a feature of a drainage basin? A) Watershed B) Tributary C) Delta D) Confluence

Answer 6

C) Delta

Question 7

How does the shape of a drainage basin affect river flow?

Answer 7

The shape of a drainage basin can affect the speed and volume of river flow, influencing erosion and sediment transport.

Question 8

True or False: All rivers have the same drainage basin characteristics.

Answer 8

False

Question 9

What is the relationship between drainage basins and the water cycle?

Answer 9

Drainage basins play a crucial role in the water cycle by collecting precipitation, facilitating evaporation, and transporting water to larger bodies.

Question 10

Short Answer: Name one impact of urbanization on drainage basins.

Answer 10

Increased runoff and reduced infiltration.

Question 11

What does the term ‘watershed’ refer to?

Answer 11

A watershed is the land area that drains into a specific body of water, synonymous with a drainage basin.

Question 12

Fill in the blank: The ________ of a river typically increases from the source to the mouth.

Answer 12

Discharge

Question 13

Multiple Choice: Which feature is formed at the confluence of two rivers? A) Delta B) Tributary C) Estuary D) None of the above

Answer 13

D) None of the above

Question 14

What is the significance of tributaries in a drainage basin?

Answer 14

Tributaries contribute additional water and sediment to the main river, affecting its flow and characteristics.

Question 15

True or False: The Bradshaw model suggests that river velocity decreases from source to mouth.

Answer 15

False

Question 16

What happens to sediment transport as a river flows downstream according to the Bradshaw model?

Answer 16

Sediment transport generally increases as the river gains more water and energy.

Question 17

Short Answer: How do human activities impact the natural flow of rivers in a drainage basin?

Answer 17

Human activities can alter flow patterns, increase pollution, and disrupt habitats.

Question 18

Fill in the blank: The ________ is the area where water from precipitation infiltrates into the ground.

Answer 18

Recharge zone

Question 19

Multiple Choice: Which of the following is a primary factor affecting the drainage density of a basin? A) Climate B) Vegetation C) Soil type D) All of the above

Answer 19

D) All of the above

Question 20

What is the role of evaporation in the water cycle within a drainage basin?

Answer 20

Evaporation returns water vapor to the atmosphere, influencing precipitation patterns and water availability.

Question 21

True or False: A river’s shape and flow can remain unchanged throughout its course.

Answer 21

False

Question 22

What is a confluence?

Answer 22

A confluence is the point where two rivers meet and combine their flows.

Question 23

Fill in the blank: The ________ of a river is affected by factors such as rainfall, land use, and seasonal changes.

Answer 23

Discharge

Question 24

What is the effect of deforestation on drainage basins?

Answer 24

Deforestation can increase runoff and soil erosion, leading to sedimentation in rivers.

Question 25

Multiple Choice: Which term describes the area where a river begins? A) Mouth B) Source C) Delta D) Confluence

Answer 25

B) Source

Question 26

True or False: All drainage basins are the same size.

Answer 26

False

Question 27

What does the term 'base flow' refer to in a river system?

Answer 27

Base flow refers to the normal flow of a river that is sustained by groundwater discharge.

Question 28

Fill in the blank: A river’s ________ is the volume of water flowing through it at a given time.

Answer 28

Discharge

Question 29

Short Answer: Why is understanding drainage basins important for water resource management?

Answer 29

Understanding drainage basins helps in managing water resources, predicting floods, and conserving ecosystems.

Question 30

What is a drainage basin?

Answer 30

A drainage basin is an area of land where all the water that falls as precipitation drains into a common outlet, such as a river or lake.

Question 31

True or False: A drainage basin is also known as a watershed.

Answer 31

True

Question 32

What are the three main processes that occur in a river system?

Answer 32

Erosion, transportation, and deposition.

Question 33

What type of erosion involves the wearing away of the riverbed and banks?

Answer 33

Hydraulic erosion.

Question 34

Fill in the blank: The process by which rocks and soil are removed from one location and transported to another is called _______.

Answer 34

transportation

Question 35

What is the term for the process where sediments are dropped off in a new location?

Answer 35

Deposition.

Question 36

Which type of erosion is primarily caused by the chemical breakdown of rocks?

Answer 36

Chemical erosion.

Question 37

What is the primary agent of erosion in river systems?

Answer 37

Water.

Question 38

True or False: Rivers can only transport sediment in a dissolved state.

Answer 38

False

Question 39

What are the four main types of transportation in river processes?

Answer 39

Solution, suspension, saltation, and traction.

Question 40

What does the term 'suspension' refer to in river transportation?

Answer 40

It refers to the process where fine particles are carried within the water column.

Question 41

Fill in the blank: The process of larger particles bouncing along the riverbed is called _______.

Answer 41

saltation

Question 42

How does traction differ from other types of transportation?

Answer 42

Traction involves the rolling or sliding of larger sediment along the riverbed.

Question 43

What factors influence the rate of erosion in a river?

Answer 43

Water velocity, sediment size, and riverbed composition.

Question 44

True or False: Deposition typically occurs in areas where the river's velocity decreases.

Answer 44

True

Question 45

What is the term for a fan-shaped deposit of sediment at the mouth of a river?

Answer 45

Delta.

Question 46

What role do human activities play in drainage basin processes?

Answer 46

Human activities can alter erosion, transportation, and deposition patterns through practices like deforestation, urbanization, and dam construction.

Question 47

Fill in the blank: The area of land that drains into a specific river is called its _______.

Answer 47

drainage basin

Question 48

What is a key characteristic of a river's upper course?

Answer 48

It is typically characterized by steep gradients and more erosion.

Question 49

What is the primary type of erosion occurring in the middle course of a river?

Answer 49

Lateral erosion.

Question 50

True or False: Rivers always flow in a straight line.

Answer 50

False

Question 51

What is the term for the bending of a river's path due to erosion and deposition?

Answer 51

Meandering.

Question 52

What is the main cause of riverbank erosion?

Answer 52

The flow of water against the bank.

Question 53

Fill in the blank: Sediments deposited by a river can create _______ and _______ in the surrounding landscape.

Answer 53

floodplains, levees

Question 54

What does 'river load' refer to?

Answer 54

The total amount of sediment that a river carries.

Question 55

What happens to a river's energy as it approaches its mouth?

Answer 55

It decreases, leading to increased deposition.

Question 56

What is the difference between 'bed load' and 'suspended load' in river transportation?

Answer 56

Bed load consists of larger particles that move along the riverbed, while suspended load consists of smaller particles that are carried within the water.

Question 57

True or False: Erosion can lead to the formation of canyons and gorges.

Answer 57

True

Question 58

What is the significance of a river's gradient?

Answer 58

It affects the velocity of the river and its ability to erode and transport sediment.

Question 59

What role does vegetation play in the processes of a drainage basin?

Answer 59

Vegetation helps to reduce erosion and stabilize soil, influencing sediment transport.