Which factor is listed as influencing river discharge by supporting plant life and water uptake from the land?

Which factor is listed as influencing river discharge by supporting plant life and water uptake from the land?

• A. Vegetation
• B. Urban development
• C. Ice cover
• D. Desert soils

Answer: (A)

Vegetation affects how much water moves from land into rivers by controlling water uptake, storage, and release. Plants draw water from the soil through their roots and release water to the atmosphere via transpiration. This water use reduces surface runoff after rain and, with better infiltration and soil moisture storage, helps feed river discharge over time. Vegetation also stabilizes soil and promotes infiltration, leading to more water entering the groundwater and sustaining baseflow in rivers. In contrast, urban development reduces infiltration with impervious surfaces, ice cover traps water in snow and ice, and desert soils have little vegetation to take up water. So, vegetation is the factor that best links plant life and land water uptake to river discharge.

Vegetation affects how much water moves from land into rivers by controlling water uptake, storage, and release. Plants draw water from the soil through their roots and release water to the atmosphere via transpiration. This water use reduces surface runoff after rain and, with better infiltration and soil moisture storage, helps feed river discharge over time. Vegetation also stabilizes soil and promotes infiltration, leading to more water entering the groundwater and sustaining baseflow in rivers. In contrast, urban development reduces infiltration with impervious surfaces, ice cover traps water in snow and ice, and desert soils have little vegetation to take up water. So, vegetation is the factor that best links plant life and land water uptake to river discharge.