Water cycle

Porosity

A measure of void spaces or open pockets within a material like soil or rock. 

Substrate

The material or surface on which an organism lives, grows, or to which it attaches. 

Permeability

A materials ability to allow fluids, such as water, to pass through its pores or openings. 

Water retention 

The capacity of a system to hold water, whether in soil for plant growth, in a storm water management, or in an aquifer for landscape water regulation.

Infiltration

The process where water on the ground’s surface soaks downward into the soil.

Percolation

The process of water slowly moving downward through soil and porous rock under the force of gravity.

precipitation

Any form of water that falls from the atmosphere to Earth’s surface.

Decomposition

The breakdown of dead organic matter by decomposers such as bacteria, fungi, and detritivores. 

Transpiration

The process by which water evaporates from the leaves of plants into the atmosphere.

Assimilation

The process by which pants absorb inorganic nutrients from the soil. And incorporate them into organic molecules such as proteins and nucleic acids.

Irrigation 

The artificial application of water to soil or land to help crops or vegetation grow when natural rainfall is insufficient.

Percolation vs Irrigation rates

Percolation- The rate at which water moves downward through soil or rock into deeper layers

Irrigation rate- the rate at which water is applied to a field or garden.

If irrigation rate > percolation rate then water can pool on the surface, runoff and therefore cause erosion.

Runoff- impermable surfaces

Solid surfaces that do not allow water to soak into the ground, this results in runoff of water which then can bring poulltants into other water sources.

Condensation 

Phase change where water vapor in the atmpohere cools down and changes tiny liquid water droplets or ice crystals, forming clouds. 

Watershed

A land area that drains all rain and snowmelt to a common outlet, like a river, lake, or ocean.