river regimes

River RegimesRiver Regimes

River regime – shows pattern of river discharge River regime – shows pattern of river discharge over a long period, usually a yearover a long period, usually a year

Important because they influence energy of a Important because they influence energy of a river, and therefore, processes and landformsriver, and therefore, processes and landforms

Variations can be Variations can be spatialspatial or or temporaltemporal

Temporal variations (over time)Temporal variations (over time)

Short-term – following heavy rain, or snowmeltShort-term – following heavy rain, or snowmelt

Medium-term – seasonal, eg less discharge Medium-term – seasonal, eg less discharge when interception is high in a deciduous when interception is high in a deciduous woodland in summerwoodland in summer

Long-term – eg as a result of climate change, Long-term – eg as a result of climate change, or changes in land useor changes in land use

Spatial variations (between places)Spatial variations (between places)

Mainly a result of variations in vegetation and Mainly a result of variations in vegetation and climate…climate…

eg tropical rainforests, hot deserts, tundra eg tropical rainforests, hot deserts, tundra regionsregions

A river where a single rainstorm occurred

A river fed by a glacier in summer

A river in a region where there has been a long dry period and high PEVT

A river where a heavy rainstorm was followed by a rainstorm of less intensity and duration

1.1.Match regimes to riversMatch regimes to rivers

2.2.Use an atlas to help you to locate the rivers Use an atlas to help you to locate the rivers on a world mapon a world map

3.3.Describe the likely climate for each of the Describe the likely climate for each of the four areasfour areas

4.4.Explain the pattern shown in each of the Explain the pattern shown in each of the regimesregimes