3. How does urbanization (more cities being built) impact the water cycle and affect other Earth systems? (1 point)
By reducing air pollution and improving climate change
By decreasing surface runoff and enhancing groundwater recharge
By decreasing evaporation and local rainfall patterns
By increasing stormwater runoff and making flooding events worse
1 answer
By increasing stormwater runoff and making flooding events worse. As more cities are built, impervious surfaces such as roads and buildings replace natural vegetation, leading to an increase in stormwater runoff and a decrease in infiltration. This can lead to more frequent and severe flooding events. Urbanization also disrupts the natural water cycle by altering the distribution of water through processes such as evaporation, transpiration, and precipitation.
1 answer