PrintThe readings for Lesson 2 are substantial; please budget your time carefully and allow sufficient time.
Chapter 2 of the text by Sitch and Drake provides a global perspective on our water cycle. Note that Figure 2.1 - a global hydrologic cycle - is similar to the more local hydrologic cycle you will attempt to construct for Assignment 3.1 in Lesson 3. All of the readings and PowwerPoint files for Lessons 2 & 3 are aimed at helping you do just that!
Required Reading
Holden (2020) – Sitch and Drake, Chapter 2 – The changing water cycle (p.23-52)
This reading is from the required course text.
Chapter 3 of the text provides more water hydrology and flow characteristics with which you should be familiar.
Required Reading
Holden (2020) – Holden, Chapter 3 – Surface water hydrology (p.61-94)
This reading is from the required course text.
The Lecture PPTs 2.1. and 2.2 are designed to cover the primary sources of water and lead you to an solid understanding of a hydrologic cycle - something that is relatively easy to conceive of, but much, much harder to measure. The Lecture 2.1 PPT introduces you to the surface water portion of the hydrologic cycle. Water budgets are briefly illustrated, but you will not be expected to compute a budget. A series of concepts and terms are introduced following along with the Background and Chapter 2 of the text. Watersheds (and HUCs) are described and illustrated with an emphasis on the dynamic nature of rivers and streams. We finish up with the climate predictions affecting water from the IPCC 6th Assessment reports (Reports — IPCC). Remember to refer to the text's glossary and/or the USGS website for clarifying or supplementary information on these topics.
Required Viewing
Lesson 2 – Lecture 2.1 – Surface Water and Precipitation - Brooks.
Registered students can access the GEOG 431 Lesson 2 Lecture 2.1 file located under Lesson 2 in Canvas.
Lecture 2.2 PPT covers the extremes of the water sources - floods and droughts - using lots of images and illustrations.
Required Viewing
Lesson 2 – Lecture 2.2 – Floods and Droughts - Brooks)
Registered students can access the GEOG 431 Lesson 2 Lecture 2.2 file located under Lesson 2 in Canvas.
The Brooks et al. 2013 chapter provides you with an integrated view of aquatic habitats, not only the physical and structural attributes, but through processes and functions as well. There is quite a bit of ecological information packed into this reading, the details of which I would not expect you to master from this one chapter. The emphasis is on headwater systems in the upper reaches of watersheds, but much of the information is pertinent to freshwater resources in general, even though the subject matter is the Mid-Atlantic Region. Other chapters of this book, and similar ones, are available to you through Google Scholar and Penn State's arrangements with major publishers like Springer.
Required Reading
Brooks, RP, C Snyder, MM Brinson. 2013. Aquatic Landscapes: the importance of integrating waters. Chapter 1 (p. 1-37) in RP Brooks and DH Wardrop (eds.) Mid-Atlantic Freshwater Wetlands: Advances in science, management, policy, and practice. Springer Science+Business Media, 491+xiv pp.
The Brooks, Snyder, Brinson reading is available through Google Scholar. Search for "Aquatic Landscapes: the importance of integrating waters." Registered students can access this reading in the Lesson 2 module in Canvas.
Chapter 4 of the text focuses on the chemistry aspects of water quality, particularly for major stressors on and threats to water resources. I suggest skimming this chapter and only delving into detail on topics that interest you.
Required Reading
Holden (2020) – skim Chapman et al., Chapter 4 – Surface water quality (p.99-142)
This reading is from the required course text.