River Fieldwork Flashcards

Flashcards about river fieldwork methods, data collection, and analysis.

What is one advantage of using qualitative field sketches?

Field sketches can clearly show changes between different sites, such as the river getting rounder.

What is one limitation of using qualitative field sketches?

Inaccurate sketches could lead to a misinterpretation of the information.

What is one advantage of using a tape measure for quantitative river measurements?

Measuring the river's width with a tape measure allows identification of whether it's increasing as in the Bradshaw model.

What is one limitation of using a tape measure for quantitative river measurements?

If the measuring tape is not held tightly or is affected by river flow, it could lead to inaccurate results.

What is one advantage of using systematic sampling in a geographical investigation?

Systematic sampling allows for an even spread of sites across different courses, allowing for a better understanding of changes.

What is one risk considered before data collection at a river location and how can you prevent it?

Loose rocks could cause injuries; wearing suitable footwear can prevent this.

How can observing river processes help understand their impact on people?

Observing riverbank erosion helps understand its impact on farmers, such as loss of farmland.

Explain one reason why there might be an anomaly in river depth data.

Not holding the ruler straight can cause the river to appear deeper than it actually is.

What are two ways to improve accuracy in river data collection?

Measuring in the middle of the channel prevents the flow meter from being caught on the bank. Measuring the depth at multiple points reduces the impact of large rocks on readings.

How can secondary data support a river investigation?

Comparing discharge results with data from previous years for the same stream to see if it has changed over time.

What is one advantage of using cross-section diagrams to present river data?

Cross-section diagrams allow calculation of the cross-sectional area to determine discharge at each site.

What is one limitation of using line graphs to present river data?

A lack of sites might prevent collecting enough data to plot a clear trend on a line graph.

How can a question or hypothesis help a river investigation about the Bradshaw model?

The question focused the investigation on comparing changes in river width and depth to the Bradshaw Model.

Give an example of a factor affecting accuracy or reliability of method.

The measurement was affected by holding the flow meter at the wrong angle or the depth readings were inaccurate.

Give an example of how to improve method accuracy.

Ensure ruler perpendicular to the flow to reduce impact of flow, and take more frequent depth readings instead of five.

How can you imrpove method reliability?

Use consistent, repeatable methods at each site.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of cross section diagrams used to present river data?

Diagrams allowed calculation of cross sectional area to determine discharge. Very time consuming, online software should have been used.

Give an example of a factor effecting reliability that involved the weather?

Effected by the whether like prior to our visitation, it had not rained for some time.

Give an example of a factor concerning

We used a systematic spread of sites, these allowed use to get a good spread of data to accurately measure the change.