W + C

• system definition


  A generalisation of reality involving inputs and outputs of material (energy and/or matter) that is processed by its components causing a change
• Isolated system


  A system with no interactions with anything outside the boundary
• Closed system


  have inputs and outputs of only energy
• Open system


  have inputs and outputs of energy and matter
• Input


  The addition of matter or energy into a system
• Output


  The removal of matter or energy into a system
• Stores or components


  components which hold elements of a system
• flows or connections


  ways in which elements are transferred between stores
• Elements


  thing that make up the system
• Attributes


  The perceived characteristics of the elements
• Relationships


  Descriptions of how elements and attributes work together to form a process
• positive feedback


  Where the effects of an action are amplified or multiplied by a subsequent knock on effect
• Negative feedback


  where the effects of an action are nullified by its subsequent knock on effects
• What is overland flow?


  Water that flows over the surface (transfer (fast))
• What is infiltration?


  the process by which water on the ground surface enters the soil (transfer)
• What is percolation?


  When water moves vertically down through soil and rock (transfer)
• What is throughfall?


  Water moving from vegetation to the ground (transfer)
• What is interception


  Water being prevented from reaching the surface by trees or grass (store)
• What is evapotranspiration?


  the process by which water is transferred from the land to the atmosphere by evaporation from the soil and other surfaces and by transpiration from plants. (transfer (out of system))
• what is throughflow?


  Water moving slowly downhill through the soil (transfer (slow))
• What is groundwater flow?

  The slow movement of water through underlying rocks below the water table. (transfer (slowest))
• What is groundwater?


  Water that is stored in rocks underneath soil, below the water table. (store)
• What is streamflow?


  flow of water in streams, rivers, and other channels (transfer (out of system))
• What is precipitation?


  rain, snow, sleet, or hail that falls to the ground. (transfer ( into the system))
• What is soil water


  Water stored in the spaces between soil particles (store)
• What is surface storage?


  Water stored in lakes, ponds, etc.
• What is the hydrosphere?

  All the water on earth
• What is the lithosphere?

  The upper mantle and the crust
• What is the atmosphere?

  the layer of gases that surrounds Earth
• What is the biosphere?


  Living things, plants, animals, fungi
• What are the subsystems of the hydropshere?

  Cryosphere

  Terrestrial water

  Atmospheric water

  Oceanic water
• What is the cryosphere?

  All frozen water on earth