Water Cycle Pack E

Question 1

What is the vegetation like in the tropical rainforest?

Answer 1

• Dense vegetation
• Trees stay green all year
• Always interception

Question 2

Are there seasons for temperature and precipitation in the tropical rainforest?

Answer 2

• Little to no variations in temperature
• No significant dry spell

Question 3

What type of precipitation falls in the tropical rainforest, how much and when?

Answer 3

• High average rainfall
• Over 2000mm per year
• Convectional rain due to the intense solar radiation from the sun directly overhead
• There is rapid cycling water due to the heavy rain and high evapotranspiration
• 60% of rainfall is recycled into the atmosphere
• There is really high humidity so warm air can store more moisture

Question 4

What is the temperature range in the tropical rainforest?

Answer 4

• High average temperatures
• Between 25 and 30°C

Question 5

What is the geology like in the tropical rainforest?

Answer 5

• Crystalline shields are made of impermeable igneous rocks
• Causes rapid runoff rates
• Sedimentary rocks are porous and permeable (e.g. sandstone, limestone)
• Reduces water runoff rates and store rainwater
• In steep areas, there are higher runoff rates (e.g. West by the Andes)
• In lowlands, there is more infiltration

Question 6

What are the effects of deforestation in the tropical rainforest?

Answer 6

• Less interception and less stem flow
• Increased surface runoff and therefore increased soil erosion
• Soil goes into rivers and causes siltation and flooding

Question 7

What is an example of deforestation in Malaysia and Indonesia?

Answer 7

• Done for palm oil plantations
• Less water, less evapotranspiration, less rain so forest dieback
• Positive feedback cycle

Question 8

What is the vegetation like in the grasslands?

Answer 8

• Grasses are the dominant vegetation
• Trees and large shrubs are absent

Question 9

Are there seasons for temperature and precipitation in the grasslands?

Answer 9

• Hot summers and cold winters
• Rainfall is moderate, usually occurring in the late spring and early summer

Question 10

What types of precipitation falls in the grasslands, how much and when?

Answer 10

• Annual average is 500 to 900mm
• Amount of rainfall influences the height of grassland vegetation, with taller grasses in the wetter regions

Question 11

What are the temperatures in the grasslands?

Answer 11

• Summer temperatures can be well over 38°C
• Winter temperatures can be as low as -40°C

Question 12

What is the soil like in the grasslands?

Answer 12

• Deep and dark, with fertile upper layers
• Nutrient-rich from the growth and decay of deep, many branched grass roots
• Rotted roots hold the soil together

Question 13

Are there droughts in the grasslands?

Answer 13

• Seasonal droughts and occasional fires occur
• These prevent woody shrubs and trees from becoming established

Question 14

What are examples of grassland locations?

Answer 14

• Veldts of South Africa
• Pampas of Argentina and Uruguay
• Steppes of Russia
• Plains and prairies of central North America

Question 15

What is the vegetation like in the tundra?

Answer 15

• Only small plants
• Due to short growing season for plants
• Low transpiration rates

Question 16

Are there seasons for temperature or precipitation in the tundra?

Answer 16

Temperatures are above 0°C and there is more daylight in summer

Question 17

What type of precipitation falls in the tundra, how much and when?

Answer 17

• Low precipitation of 50 - 350mm annually
• Precipitation is snow
• Limited moisture is stored in the atmosphere
• There are slow flows

Question 18

What are the temperatures in the tundra?

Answer 18

• Very cold
• Spends 8 - 9 months below 0°C
• Negative heat balance
• Climate change will lead to higher temperatures and more vegetation

Question 19

What are the soils like in the tundra?

Answer 19

• Layers of permafrost are barriers to infiltration and percolation
• Active layer thaws and thickens in summer/spring
• Water stored on surface in summer so some evapotranspiration
• Most of Artic tundra is igneous rock, which is impermeable
• There are standing pools of water (e.g. Canadian Shield)
• Typically flat (with gentle slops) so snow and water stay on surface and can’t drain away