How does location affect the water cycle?
The water cycle operates at different scales in different places. It is strongly influenced by location, temperature and topography. The largest, most productive agricultural areas are in the south-east through a combination of suitable temperatures, rainfall, groundwater and soils. …
How does the water cycle affect the land and oceans?
The major physical components of the global water cycle include the evaporation from the ocean and land surfaces, the transport of water vapor by the atmosphere, precipitation onto the ocean and land surfaces, the net atmospheric transport of water from land areas to ocean, and the return flow of fresh water from the …
How does land use change affect the water cycle?
Land use changes such as irrigation, dams, and deforestation can alter evaporation patterns in a region, potentially affecting water resources in distant regions. Many studies of moisture recycling have had a regional focus up until now. To provide a global perspective, van der Ent et al.
How does land use affect the natural environment?
The removal of water from streams and groundwater systems to supply cities, and the land use changes associated with the development of the city, have consequences on the natural environment. For example, infiltration of water is reduced as the result of construction of highways, streets, parking lots and buildings.
How does agriculture affect the infiltration of water?
Agriculture and the tillage of land also changes the infiltration patterns of a landscape. Water that, in natural conditions, infiltrated directly into soil now runs off into streams. Slope of the land: Water falling on steeply-sloped land runs off more quickly and infiltrates less than water falling on flat land.
How does heavy rainfall affect the water cycle?
During heavy rainfall events, large volumes of stormwater collect on sealed surfaces and flow into the stormwater drainage network. Flooding can occur when the volume of stormwater exceeds the capacity of the stormwater drains. This can cause flooding in areas not necessarily close to waterways.