water cycles mindmap cards

Question 1

hydrosphere

Answer 1

(96.5%): Liquid water on
the Earth’s surface, e.g. oceans, lakes.

Question 2

cryosphere

Answer 2

(1.7%): Frozen areas of the
planet, e.g. glaciers and ice sheets.

Question 3

lithosphere

Answer 3

(1.7%): Water stored in
rocks, e.g. aquifers.

Question 4

athenosphere

Answer 4

(0.001%): Water stored in
the air, e.g. water vapour and clouds

Question 5

surface store

Answer 5

Water stored
in lakes and river channels.

Question 6

groundwater store

Answer 6

Water stored
within porous rock underground.

Question 7

water table

Answer 7

The upper level of saturated
rock.

Question 8

interception

Answer 8

Leaves, stems and trunks can
stop water from reaching the
ground - temporarily hold water.

Question 9

absorbsion

Answer 9

Vegetation takes up
water through the root system.

Question 10

frontal rainfall

Answer 10

Occurs when two air masses of different
temperatures meet. The warmer, less
dense air is forced to rise over the cooler,
denser air. As the warm air rises, it cools and
condenses to form clouds, leading to rainfall.
Common in mid-latitude regions – associated with
weather fronts and prolonged periods of rain.

Question 11

convectional rainfall

Answer 11

Occurs when the ground is heated
by the sun, causing warm air to rise
rapidly. As the air rises, it cools and
condenses to form clouds, leading to heavy rain.
Common in tropical regions and during summer
months in temperate areas – associated with
thunderstorms and heavy downpours.

Question 12

orographic relief rainfall

Answer 12

Occurs when moist air is forced to rise
over a mountain range. As the air ascends,
it cools and condenses to form clouds,
resulting in precipitation on the windward side of the
mountains. The windward side receives heavy rainfall,
while the leeward side (rain shadow) remains dry.
Common in mountainous regions.

Question 13

surface runoff transfer

Answer 13

Water flowing over the Earth’s surface (overland flow) – when ground is waterlogged or impermeable.

Question 14

infiltration transfer

Answer 14

Downward movement of water into soil – affected by soil type, vegetation, land use, etc.

Question 15

percolation transfer

Answer 15

Downward movement of water through rocks underground – important for replenishing
groundwater stores.

Question 16

throughflow transfer

Answer 16

Horizontal movement of water through soil to return to a river, can be accelerated by
plant roots or animal activity.

Question 17

groundwater flow transfer

Answer 17

Slow, horizontal flow of water through sub-surface rock – helps
maintain river flow during dry periods.

Question 18

stem flow transfer

Answer 18

Water dripping from leaves or flowing down stems and trunks to reach the ground.

Question 19

channel flow transfer

Answer 19

Movement of water within the river channel – driven by gravity and influenced by channel gradient,
shape, and roughness.

Question 20

precipitation input

Answer 20

Any form of water falling from the atmosphere
to the Earth’s surface – includes rain, snow, sleet, and hail.

Question 21

evapouration

Answer 21

Sun heats the surface of water (e.g. rivers and
lakes) changing it from a liquid to a gas (water vapour).

Question 22

transpiration

Answer 22

Water released from plants into the air. When
combined with evaporation, it forms evapotranspiration.

Question 23

condensation

Answer 23

Water vapour in the air cools (dew point) and
changes into liquid water – this leads to cloud formation.

Question 24

is the water cycle open or closed

Answer 24

closed

Question 25

is a drainage basin open or closed

Answer 25

open

Question 26

water balence equation

Answer 26

P = Q + E +/- S P = precipitation Q = run-off E = evapotranspiration S = changes in storage

Question 27

water surplus

Answer 27

Excess water available - soil is fully saturated, and any additional precipitation leads to excess water. This surplus water can result in surface runoff, increasing river discharge and potentially leading to flooding.

Question 28

water deficit

Answer 28

Less water within the system – evapotranspiration exceeds precipitation and soil moisture is depleted. Can lead to falling river levels and water stress, and irrigation may be needed.

Question 29

recharge

Answer 29

When soil moisture is replenished by precipitation after a dry period – important to ensure that soil moisture levels are maintained.

Question 30

field capacity

Answer 30

The maximum amount of water that soil can hold before it becomes saturated.

Question 31

utalisation

Answer 31

The process by which plants use the available soil moisture. During this period, plants draw water from the soil to meet their needs. Monitoring utilisation helps in understanding plant water requirements and managing irrigation schedules.

Question 32

what factors do soil moisture budget diagrams show

Answer 32

- knowing when the soil is full - checking soil saturation - estimating runoff - seasonal changes All these factors can be useful in predicting future floods

Question 33

what is a river regine

Answer 33

Rivers will always have a regime which they follow – some months the discharge of the river will be higher than others. The water balance looks at how the amount of precipitation compares with the water leaving the system as runoff or as evapotranspiration. This balance will change throughout the year and will be affected by the overall climate of the area near to the river. ‘Usual’ conditions: Precipitation will be matched by run-off and evapotranspiration giving a ‘normal’ river level.

Question 34

bankful capacity

Answer 34

The maximum amount of water that a river channel can hold before it overflows its banks. This capacity is influenced by the channel's shape, size, and the surrounding landscape.

Question 35

urbanisation increasing flood risk

Answer 35

Development of cities and towns with impermeable surfaces (e.g. concrete and tarmac) increases surface runoff. Building often takes place on the flood plain. Urban areas create a flashy hydrograph due to rapid runoff from impermeable surfaces.

Question 36

deforestation increasing flood risk

Answer 36

Removal of trees reduces interception and increases surface runoff. Trees normally absorb water and slow its movement. Deforested areas create a flashy hydrograph due to increased runoff, whereas forested areas lead to a subdued hydrograph as trees intercept and absorb water.

Question 37

agriculture increasing flood risk

Answer 37

Farming methods, such as ploughing and crop rotation, affect soil structure and water movement. Fields without crops can channel water quickly. Poor agricultural practices create a flashy hydrograph due to increased runoff. Additionally, drainage channels are used to remove excess water from fields, which can quickly channel water away, creating a flashy hydrograph.

Question 38

drainage systems increasing flood risk

Answer 38

Efficient drainage systems can quickly channel water away from urban areas but may increase flood risk downstream

Question 39

what can well managed drainage systems cause

Answer 39

– can create a flashy hydrograph due to rapid water movement

Question 40

what can poorly managed systems cause

Answer 40

– may lead to a subdued hydrograph as water is retained longer

Question 41

how does prolonged rainfall increase flood risk

Answer 41

can saturate the ground, * leading to increased surface runoff

Question 42

how do heavy short durations of rainfall impact hydrographs

Answer 42

creates a flashy hydrograph * due to rapid runoff

Question 43

how does prolonged steady rainfall effect hydrograph

Answer 43

can lead to a subdued hydrograph as water infiltrates the soil before reaching the river

Question 44

how does impermeable rocks influence hydrograph

Answer 44

– prevent infiltration, leading to more surface run-off

Question 45

how does impermeable surfaces effect hydrograph

Answer 45

create a flashy hydrograph due to quick run-off

Question 46

how do permeable rocks influence hydrograph

Answer 46

allow infiltration, leading to a subdued hydrograph

Question 47

how does soil type influence flood risk

Answer 47

Soil permeability affects water absorption, e.g. sandy soils absorb more water than clay soils.

Question 48

how do steep slopes influence flood risk

Answer 48

cause rapid run-off as it’s easier for water to run over the land than infiltrate the soil (flashy hydrograph

Question 49

how do gentle slopes influence flood risk

Answer 49

– water moves more slowly (subdued hydrograph)

Question 50

how does drainage basin shape influence flood risk (elongated and circular

Answer 50

* Circular basins – concentrate water flow quickly (flashy hydrograph) * Elongated basins – spread water flow over a longer period (subdued hydrograph)

Question 51

bankfull dischange

Answer 51

The flow rate at which a river fills its channel to the point of overflowing. It is the maximum discharge that the river channel can hold without flooding. This can vary from river to river depending on multiple different factors.

Question 52

falling limb

Answer 52

The part of a hydrograph that shows the decrease in river discharge after the peak has been reached. It represents the period when the flow is receding.

Question 53

storm flow

Answer 53

The additional flow in a river or stream resulting from a storm event. It includes both surface runoff and any increased flow from tributaries.

Question 54

base flow

Answer 54

The normal, sustained flow of a river or stream, primarily fed by groundwater. It represents the typical flow level in the absence of recent rainfall.

Question 55

how can hydrographs help predict flooding

Answer 55

They show how river discharge changes over time in response to rainfall. By analysing the shape of hydrographs, we can understand how quickly and significantly a river responds to precipitation, which helps in flood prediction and management.

Question 56

lag time

Answer 56

The time interval between peak precipitation and peak discharge in a river. It represents the delay between the heaviest rainfall and the highest river flow.

Question 57

peak precipitaion

Answer 57

The highest amount of rainfall recorded during a specific period, usually within a storm event. It indicates the maximum intensity of rainfall.

Question 58

rising limb

Answer 58

The part of a hydrograph that shows the increase in river discharge following a rainfall event. It represents the period when water is rapidly entering the river system.

Question 59

cumecs- flood hydrograph

Answer 59

Short for cubic metres per second (m3/s), cumecs is a unit of measurement for the flow rate of water, typically used to describe the discharge of a river or stream.

Question 60

what are hydrographs

Answer 60

Flood (storm) hydrographs are graphs that show how a drainage basin responds to a period of rainfall. Hydrologists use them to plan for flood situations and times of drought.

Question 61

peak discharge

Answer 61

The maximum flow rate of water passing through a river or stream at a given point and time, usually following a period of heavy rainfall or snowmelt.