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Water and Carbon Cycles

Precipitation inputs and interception

  • 2 things to know
  • Component 2

Overview

Five types of precipitation, precipitation amount, duration and intensity and interception loss.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

Name five types of precipitation.

Key term

Why does precipitation type affect a drainage basin's response?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    Name five types of precipitation.

    Model answer

    Rain, snow, sleet, hail and drizzle are the five common types of precipitation. Dew, frost and fog drip make smaller contributions.

  2. 2

    Why does precipitation type affect a drainage basin's response?

    Model answer

    Rain reaches the ground and begins moving immediately, so discharge rises within hours. Snow is stored on the surface until a thaw releases it, which delays and then concentrates the runoff.

  3. 3

    Distinguish between precipitation amount, duration and intensity.

    Model answer

    Amount is the total depth of water delivered, and duration is the length of time over which it falls. Intensity is the rate of delivery, measured in millimetres per hour.

  4. 4

    Why does high-intensity rainfall generate more runoff than the same total falling slowly?

    Model answer

    High intensity delivers water faster than the soil can absorb it, so the surplus runs off the surface. The same total spread over days infiltrates almost completely.

  5. 5

    Define interception.

    Model answer

    Interception is the capture of precipitation by vegetation before it reaches the ground. Leaves, stems, branches and litter all intercept falling water.

  6. 6

    What is interception loss?

    Model answer

    Interception loss is the fraction of intercepted water that evaporates without reaching the soil. Loss is greatest in light rain onto a dry canopy.

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