GEOG 2050 Chapter : Chapter 9
Document Summary
Precipitation reaching the earth"s surface follows two basic pathways. Along the way, interception occurs when precipitation hits plants or other flows over land or soaks into the soil ground cover. Water soaks into the ground through infiltration- penetration of soil. Drains across plant leaves and down stems to the ground=stem flow. It travels further into soil or rock through the downward movment of percolation. An effective way to assess water resources for any area of earth"s surface (everything from a continent to your back yard) Our moisture supply measured with a rain gauge. Evaporation- movement of water molecules from a wet surface into the air. Plants move water from stomata to underside of leaves allowing it to evaporate. Evapotranspiration- evaporation combined with transpiration; refers to the actual expenditure of water from land and plants. The amount of water that would evaporate and transpire under optimum moisture conditions.
