Final answer:
The intensity of precipitation can increase surface runoff, leading to floods and erosion, while altering soil drainage properties. This affects environmental and urban landscapes, as seen in projected increases in rainfall for cities.
Step-by-step explanation:
Impact of Precipitation Intensity on the Drainage Cycle
The intensity of precipitation plays a significant role in shaping the drainage cycle and its effects on the environment. With the expected increase in precipitation intensity, particularly in tropical and high-latitude regions, the hydrological pattern of these areas may alter dramatically. Heavy rainfall can increase surface runoff significantly, leading to higher river discharges soon after rainstorms, which could exceed the soil's water retention capacity, causing floods and erosion. In contrast, groundwater seepage contributes to the river's base flow and can be a more stable source of water.
Changes in the precipitation patterns can affect soil drainage properties, influencing factors like organic matter preservation, the reduction and conversion of iron minerals, and general soil coloration. For instance, well-drained soils on slopes, which are more brownish or reddish due to ferric iron, differ from poorly drained soils in lowlands, which appear greyish or greenish-grey because of iron reduction and organic material preservation in anoxic conditions. Increased precipitation intensity, coupled with warmer temperatures and altered wind patterns, may also result in shifts in vegetation types, affecting the balance between these poorly and well-drained soil areas.
Cities such as New York, Bogotá, and Manila, which are projected to experience significant precipitation increases, face future challenges in managing excessive rainfall, including potential flooding and water supply issues. Ensuring that the soil's capacity to absorb and release water is left intact or enhanced – especially in the face of intensive cultivation – is paramount to mitigating negative outcomes of this change in precipitation patterns.