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What are the factors that affect the amount of water in watersheds?
The physical characteristics of a watershed, including geology, soil types, vegetation, topography and slope, also influence water- shed water quality. Minerals contained in some rocks can dissolve in water and as a result, change the water’s chemistry.
How does presence of vegetation influence river volume?
By increasing hydraulic roughness, vegetation raises water levels compared to an unvegetated stream for a given discharge. This effect is most pronounced at low discharge, where water levels are significantly higher in vegetated compared to unvegetated streams.
How do trees affect water flow?
Tree roots help to filter water into the soil, thus slowing the rate at which water levels rise after rain.
What influences the availability of water in South Africa?
Things affecting the availability of water are things such as South Africa’s climate and the rapid growing population. As mentioned earlier, we don’t have the best rainfall in South Africa so this becomes a problem as well as the high evaporation rate around the country.
How does vegetation affect the flow of water?
Vegetation slows runoff and allows water to seep into the ground. Storage: Reservoirs store water and increase the amount of water that evaporates and infiltrates. The storage and release of water in reservoirs can have a significant effect on the streamflow patterns of the river below the dam.
How do humans affect watersheds?
Humans can create a dam or build a large structure which change the course of a river, which effect an entire area. The vegetation in watersheds effects the quality of the water. Grasses, shrubs, and trees make up the majority of plant cover. As they fall and decompose, they add the organic components to the soil.
What is the importance of trees in a watershed?
Trees also provide a canopy that keeps the water cool so organisms don t die of thermal pollution. The canopy can also reduce the force of the rain and the velocity of wind in a watershed. Plant cover is important to a watershed to prevent the erosion of valuable soil as water rushes downstream.
How does topography affect the quality of water?
The steeper the topography the greater the runoff and erosion. An earthquake can cause an uplift in an area that can change the shape and extend of how the water flows. Humans can create a dam or build a large structure which change the course of a river, which effect an entire area. The vegetation in watersheds effects the quality of the water.