The Hydrologic Cycle, Research Paper Example

The Hydrologic Cycle, or water cycle, is a term used to describe the movement of natural water throughout the Earth. This includes both on the surface of the Earth, and on subterranean levels.

When applying the concept of the hydrologic cycle to Southern California, scientists have noted that there are changes in the water cycle in regards to this specific area, although at the same time, these specific changes are part of a broader trend that is perhaps the result of greater temperature changes occurring throughout the globe. (U.S. Geological Survey, 2013) More acutely, a warming of the overall temperature has been taking place in Southern California, which has resulted in less snowfall and more rain, as well as projected increases in emissions, such as A2, B2 and A1fi emissions. (U.S. Geological Survey, 2013) In this regard, it can be said that the hydrologic cycle in Southern California is undergoing fairly radical changes, with clear alterations to the general ecosystem at stake in this process.

changes in the general hydrologic cycle are worldwide. This means that any geographical or geological formation is not immune to these developments. When considering, for example, the Sahara desert, one factor above all is altered with such shifts to this landscape. In so far as the Sahara desert is the foremost producer of “dust” on the planet Earth, thereby also affecting climate change, the extent to which the hydrologic cycle changes in regards to the Sahara desert also produces a correlative rate of change in the amount of dust produced by the desert. Because of alterations to the consistency of the hydrological cycle, desert landscapes such as the Sahara will ultimately produce more dust than is expected according to empirical evidence: this will, in turn, contribute to the overall de-saturation of the planet and alterations in a negative manner in terms of the Earth’s general hydrologic cycle.

Works Cited

U.S. Geological Survey. (2013). “The Water Cycle.” Retrieved April 13, 2013 at: http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/watercycle.html