Hydrological Cycle The Water Cycle Copy the diagram above onto your worksheet underneath section 1. Water Cycle Definitions Condensation - the process by which water vapor in the air is changed into liquid water. Evaporation - the process by which water changes from a liquid to a gas or vapor. Precipitation - water released from clouds in the form of rain, freezing rain, sleet, snow, or hail. It is the primary connection in the water cycle that provides for the delivery of atmospheric water to the Earth. Most precipitation falls as rain. Percolation - The movement of water through fractures or interstices of a rock or soil. Transpiration - the process by which moisture is carried through plants from roots to small pores on the underside of leaves, where it changes to vapor and is released to the atmosphere. Transpiration is essentially evaporation of water from plant leaves. Runoff - Flow of water over land surfaces (including paved surfaces), typically from precipitation. Sublimation - is the conversion between the solid and the gaseous phases of matter, with no intermediate liquid stage. Infiltration - Anywhere in the world, a portion of the water that falls as rain and snow infiltrates into the subsurface soil and rock. Laws of Nature The Law of Gravity Gravity is a force of attraction between objects that pulls all objects on earth towards the center of the earth at a rate of 9.8 m/sec Environmental Application Our Freshwater and pollution go to the same place; rivers, lakes, aquifers, the lowest point The Law of Matter Matter can neither be created or destroyed. Environmental Application Once pollution is created it is very difficult to clean up because you have to have some way to rearrange the atoms, it won’t just disappear. The First Law of Energy Energy can neither be created nor destroyed. Environmental Application We can’t just magically make energy. Virtually all energy sources on earth originate from the sun. The Second Law of Energy Whenever energy is transferred some (on average about 90%) is lost as low quality heat energy. Environmental Application Since we are so lousy at transferring energy we consume a supply of energy approximately 10 times greater than we actually use to do the work necessary to stay alive. Competitive Exclusion Principle No two species can occupy the same niche. When a new specie is introduced to an already occupied niche, one of the following options will occur. One or both species adapt to a new niche (usually takes thousands to millions of years) One Species migrates to find a new unoccupied habitat and niche One of the species goes (locally) extinct. Competitive Exclusion Principle Environmental Application Invasive species put enormous pressure on native species. Modern day human civilization has created the greatest impact. Fragmenting most areas leaving native species to li.

1. Hydrological Cycle
The Water Cycle
Copy the diagram above onto your worksheet underneath
section 1.
Water Cycle Definitions
Condensation - the process by which water vapor in the air is
changed into liquid water.

2. Evaporation - the process by which water changes from a liquid
to a gas or vapor.
Precipitation - water released from clouds in the form of rain,
freezing rain, sleet, snow, or hail. It is the primary
connection in the water cycle that provides for the
delivery of atmospheric water to the Earth. Most
precipitation falls as rain.
Percolation - The movement of water through fractures or
interstices of a rock or soil.
Transpiration - the process by which moisture is carried through
plants from roots to small pores on the underside of
leaves, where it changes to vapor and is released to the
atmosphere. Transpiration is essentially
evaporation of water from plant leaves.
Runoff - Flow of water over land surfaces (including paved
surfaces), typically from precipitation.

3. Sublimation - is the conversion between the solid and the
gaseous phases of matter, with no intermediate liquid
stage.
Infiltration - Anywhere in the world, a portion of the water that
falls as rain and snow infiltrates into the subsurface soil
and rock.
Laws of Nature
The Law of Gravity
Gravity is a force of attraction between objects that pulls all
objects on earth towards the center of the earth at a rate of 9.8
m/sec
Environmental Application
Our Freshwater and pollution go to the same place; rivers,
lakes, aquifers, the lowest point

4. The Law of Matter
Matter can neither be created or destroyed.
Environmental Application
Once pollution is created it is very difficult to clean up because
you have to have some way to rearrange the atoms, it won’t just
disappear.
The First Law of Energy
Energy can neither be created nor destroyed.
Environmental Application
We can’t just magically make energy. Virtually all energy
sources on earth originate from the sun.
The Second Law of Energy
Whenever energy is transferred some (on average about 90%) is
lost as low quality heat energy.
Environmental Application
Since we are so lousy at transferring energy we consume a
supply of energy approximately 10 times greater than we
actually use to do the work necessary to stay alive.
Competitive Exclusion Principle

5. No two species can occupy the same niche. When a new specie
is introduced to an already occupied niche, one of the following
options will occur.
One or both species adapt to a new niche (usually takes
thousands to millions of years)
One Species migrates to find a new unoccupied habitat and
niche
One of the species goes (locally) extinct.
Competitive Exclusion Principle
Environmental Application
Invasive species put enormous pressure on native species.
Modern day human civilization has created the greatest impact.
Fragmenting most areas leaving native species to live in almost
inhabitable environments. Eventually leading to extinction.
The Law of Sustainability
Systems that are sustainable depend on an endless supply of
renewable energy and efficient recycling of the matter they
needed for growth and development.
Environmental Application:
Stable, sustainable systems follow these rules of nature or the
system breaks down.
Characteristics of Natural Systems
Sustainable for Hundreds, Thousands, and millions of Years

6. Species have evolved adaptations to compensate for the effects
of Gravity in their environment
Species have evolved ways to effectively transfer matter and
energy between the living and non-living portions of ecosystems
(Symbiosis).
The greater the number of interactions between species, the
more effective the transfer of matter and energy in an ecosystem
over a long period of time. Biodiversity results from billions of
years of cooperation and competition between species for the
matter and energy they need to survive
When the transfer of matter and energy are severely interrupted,
the loss of biodiversity occurs