Chapter 2A. Hydrologic Cycle and Groundwater in Agriculture
Learning Objectives
By carefully reading this chapter and completing the learning activities within it, you should be able to do the following:
- Explain the hydrologic cycle with a general discussion of the stores and flows involved in movement of water on the planet and the common uses for freshwater.
- Discuss the sizes of stores and factors that control flow rates in the hydrologic cycle and how these relate to crop water needs.
- Explain what groundwater is and the basic characteristics of an aquifer and aquiclude in terms of porosity and permeability.
- Describe the impacts of agricultural practices on groundwater resources with a focus on groundwater mining, subsidence, and saltwater intrusion.
- Apply knowledge of the hydrologic cycle to analyze how water availability will be affected for a given scenario.
