How The Drainage Basin Operates As An Open System

Question 1

What is a closed system, an open system and a drainage basin

Answer 1

Closed- transfer of energy, but not matter, between the system and its surroundings eg water cycle

Open- systems receive inputs and transfer outputs of energy/ matter across the boundaries between them eg drainage basin

Drainage basin- An area of land drained by a river and its tributaries

Question 2

What are inputs, watershed and outputs

Answer 2

Inputs. Watershed. Outputs

Materials. Transfers and stores. Materials
Precipitation. Soil store. Discharge
Groundwater store Sediment
Energy. Channel store
Heat. Infiltration and percolation Energy
Potential energy Kinetic energy
Heat in water

Question 3

Definitions of a tributary, confluence, river channel, source, mouth and watershed.

Answer 3

Tributary- a small river or stream that joins a larger river

Confluence- where two rivers meet

River channel- this is where the river flows eg upper, middle and lower course

Source- where the river begins

Mouth- where the river meets the sea

Watershed- ridge of high land beyond which any precipitation will drain into neighbouring basins

Question 4

What are inputs, transfers, stores and outputs

Answer 4

Inputs:
Precipitation- moisture falling from the atmosphere
Solar energy

Transfers:
Throughflow- the roughly horizontal movement of water through the soil
Percolation- the absorption and downward movement of water into the ground
Overland flow/surface runoff- the flow of water across the surface of the ground
Infiltration- water soaking into the soil from the surface
Stem flow- water flows down the trunk or stem of a plant or tree
Groundwater flow- movement of water through rocks

Stores:
Surface storage- puddles lakes
Groundwater storage
Soil storage
Vegetation interception- capture of rainfall by vegetation

Outputs
Evapotranspiration
River discharge