WATER - Climate changes effect on the hydrological cycle

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  • Climate changes effect on the Hydrological cycle
    • Precipitation
      • warmer atmosphere=greater water capacity
      • mode of precipitation is more important than amount
      • high latitude and tropics amount increases (& 10* - 30* north and south of the equator).
      • length + frequency of heatwaves increasing means increased drought occurrences.
      • more rain than snow in northern regions
    • Evaporation and Evapo-transpiration
      • evaporation over Asia and  N.America ^^
      • Transpiration linked to plant changes which is linked to soil changes.
    • Soil Moisture
      • As climate increases, precipitation increases leading to an increase of soil moisture.
    • INPUTS + OUTPUTS
      • Evaporation and Evapo-transpiration
        • evaporation over Asia and  N.America ^^
        • Transpiration linked to plant changes which is linked to soil changes.
      • Precipitation
        • warmer atmosphere=greater water capacity
        • mode of precipitation is more important than amount
        • high latitude and tropics amount increases (& 10* - 30* north and south of the equator).
        • length + frequency of heatwaves increasing means increased drought occurrences.
        • more rain than snow in northern regions
      • Soil Moisture
        • As climate increases, precipitation increases leading to an increase of soil moisture.
    • FLOWS + STORES
      • reservoir, lake and wetland storage
        • storage decreases as temperatures increase.
      • groundwater flow
        • uncertain due to abstraction by humans.
      • soil moisture
        • higher evaporation and precipitation cancelling each other out.
      • surface runoff and stream flow
        • more low flows and high flows (droughts and floods)
        • increased runoff and reduced infiltration
      • permafrost
        • methane released from  thawed lakes may accelerate change.
      • snow
        • spring melt starting earlier meaning less snow coverage yearly. (store decrease).
      • glacier ice
        • since 1970's, evidence of thinning glaciers.
        • less accumulationas more precipitation as rain.
        • a decreasing store
      • oceans
        • rising sea levels from melting glaciers and thermal expansion
        • ocean warming may lead to more cyclones
        • 2015 - highest surface temperatures ever recorded in Central Pacific. More evaporation

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