"Hydrology is the scientific study of the movement, distribution, and management of water on Earth and other planets, including the water cycle, water resources, and drainage basin sustainability."
Study of the movement, distribution, and quality of water resources on earth.
Watersheds: A watershed is a geographic area that drains to a common point, such as a river or lake. Understanding the boundaries and properties of watersheds is fundamental to hydrology.
Precipitation: Precipitation drives the hydrologic cycle, and understanding precipitation patterns and characteristics is crucial for hydrologists.
Evapotranspiration: The amount of water returned to the atmosphere through evaporation and plant transpiration affects the water balance of a watershed, and is critical for understanding hydrologic processes.
Runoff: Runoff occurs when precipitation exceeds the capacity of the ground to absorb it, and can lead to erosion, flooding, and other hazards.
Groundwater: Groundwater is water that is stored below the surface of the Earth in porous rock formations, and is a major source of water for many communities.
Streamflow: Streamflow is the movement of water through channels, and is an essential component of hydrology.
Infiltration: Infiltration is the process by which water enters the soil, and is important for understanding how water moves through watersheds.
Snow and Ice: Snow and ice play a significant role in hydrology, especially in areas with seasonal snow cover.
Soil moisture: Soil moisture affects the water balance of a watershed and is a key factor in the formation of runoff.
Climate Change: Climate change affects precipitation patterns, temperature regimes, and other aspects of the hydrologic cycle, making it a critical topic for hydrologists.
Physical Hydrology: The study of the movement, distribution, and quality of water in the natural environment.
Chemical Hydrology: The study of the chemical properties of water, including its composition, reactions, and transformations.
Isotope Hydrology: The study of the isotopic composition of water, including the use of isotopes as tracers to understand water movement and sources.
Coastal Hydrology: The study of water movement, sediment transport, and ecology in coastal zones.
Groundwater Hydrology: The study of water movement and storage in underground aquifers.
Surface Water Hydrology: The study of the movement and characteristics of water on the Earth's surface, including rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
Urban Hydrology: The study of the impact of urbanization on the hydrological cycle, including the effects of stormwater management and urban run-off.
Agricultural Hydrology: The study of the impact of agriculture on the hydrological cycle, including irrigation, drainage, and soil erosion.
Glacial Hydrology: The study of water movement and storage in glaciers and ice sheets.
Hydrogeology: The study of the geology and hydrology of underground water systems.
Atmospheric Hydrology: The study of the role of water in the Earth's atmosphere, including precipitation, evaporation, and atmospheric water vapor.
Snow Hydrology: The study of water movement and storage in snowpacks.
Ecohydrology: The study of the interactions between water and ecosystems, including the impacts of water availability and quality on plant and animal communities.
Hydrology Modelling: The use of mathematical models to simulate and predict the behaviour of hydrological systems.
"Hydrology subdivides into surface water hydrology, groundwater hydrology (hydrogeology), and marine hydrology."
"Domains of hydrology include hydrometeorology, surface hydrology, hydrogeology, drainage-basin management, and water quality."
"A practitioner of hydrology is called a hydrologist. Hydrologists are scientists studying earth or environmental science, civil or environmental engineering, and physical geography."
"Using various analytical methods and scientific techniques, they collect and analyze data to help solve water-related problems such as environmental preservation, natural disasters, and water management."
"...such as environmental preservation, natural disasters, and water management."
"Oceanography and meteorology are not included because water is only one of many important aspects within those fields."
"Hydrological research can inform environmental engineering..."
"Hydrological research can inform ... policy."
"Hydrological research can inform ... planning."
"Hydrologists are scientists studying earth or environmental science, civil or environmental engineering, and physical geography."
"...including the water cycle, water resources, and drainage basin sustainability."
"...help solve water-related problems such as environmental preservation..."
"...help solve water-related problems such as ... natural disasters..."
"...help solve water-related problems such as ... water management."
"Domains of hydrology include hydrometeorology..."
"Domains of hydrology include ... surface hydrology..."
"Hydrology subdivides into surface water hydrology, groundwater hydrology (hydrogeology)..."
"Domains of hydrology include ... drainage-basin management..."
"Domains of hydrology include ... water quality."