Question

which of the following actions would affect the local hydrologic cycle?
correct answer(s)
burning of fossil fuels
collection of rainwater in reservoirs
deforestation
irrigation of crops

Explanation:

• Burning fossil fuels can lead to climate change, which affects precipitation patterns (a part of the hydrologic cycle).
• Deforestation reduces transpiration (a key process in the hydrologic cycle where water is released from plants into the atmosphere) and can also impact soil moisture and runoff.
• Collection of rainwater in reservoirs changes the natural flow and storage of water, affecting evaporation, infiltration, and runoff components of the hydrologic cycle.
• Irrigation of crops changes the amount of water available for evaporation (from the wetter soil surface after irrigation) and can also impact groundwater recharge (if irrigation leads to more water percolating down) and runoff (if there is excess water not taken up by plants).

Answer:

burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, collection of rainwater in reservoirs, irrigation of crops