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human impacts on the hydrological cycle - Coggle Diagram
human impacts on the hydrological cycle
deforestation
vegetation intercepts rainfall so it may evaporate before it reaches.
trees return water from the soil to the atmosphere by transpiration
without trees more water infiltrates or runs off into rivers
there is significant reduction in precipitation in downwind areas
agriculture
soil can become compacted so water does not easily infiltrate.
crop irrigation increases evaporation rates
loss of soil biota reduce infiltration, increase runoff
urban development
impermeable surfaces reduce infiltration
rapid runoff can increase river flooding downstream,
global climate change
affect melting, evaporation and condensation rates - alter precipitation
loss of ice may increase flooding in periods of heavy rainfall and low river flow in periods of low rainfall
water abstraction
agricultural irrigation does not return water to the river so reduces downstream flow.
environmental impacts of reservoirs
habitat change - destroys precious habitat but creates new ones
wildlife barriers - e.g migratory fish such as salmon
river regime downstream of dams - water may be used to regulate river flow (reduces periods of low flow which are important for some species such as turtles
prevent sediments being transported downstream - which may have fertilised floodplains or helped with erosion
microclimates - reduces temperature fluctuations, more evapotration may increase humidity and precipitation downwind, winds are increased because water has less friction than land.