hydrology

(noun)

the science of the properties, distribution, and effects of water on a planet's surface, in the soil and underlying rocks, and in the atmosphere

Related Terms

Examples of hydrology in the following topics:

  • The Water (Hydrologic) Cycle

  • Sources and Sinks of Essential Elements

    • Most important substances on Earth, such as oxygen, nitrogen, and water undergo turnover or cycling through both the biotic (living) and abiotic (geological, atmospheric, and hydrologic) compartments of the Earth.

  • Evaporation

    • In hydrology, evaporation and transpiration (which involves evaporation within plant stomata) are collectively termed evapotranspiration.

  • Inputs

    • Usage of forecasting can differ between areas of application: for example, in hydrology, the terms "forecast" and "forecasting" are sometimes reserved for estimates of values at certain specific future times, while the term "prediction" is used for more general estimates, such as the number of times floods will occur over a long period.

  • Exotic Species

    • For example, invasive plants can alter the fire regimen, nutrient cycling, and hydrology in native ecosystems.

  • The Exponential Distribution

    • In hydrology, the exponential distribution is used to analyze extreme values of such variables as monthly and annual maximum values of daily rainfall and river discharge volumes.

  • Freshwater Biomes

    • The three shared characteristics among these types are their hydrology, hydrophytic vegetation, and hydric soils.