Various sub‐cycles of the total hvdrologic cycle can be defined. One of these describes the dynamics of water movement on, into, out of, and below the surface of the Earth. This subcomponent is called the field water cycle. It is often separated from the full hydrologic cycle, because many believe that this is the environment where some of the most important physical, chemical and biological processes occur (Hillel, 1971). The continued functioning of these processes and the quantity and quality of water associated with them, are critical to the health and survival of plants and animals (including us).
The water balance
The full hydrologic cycle addresses the movement of water in its various states through the Earth‐atmosphere system. The major components of the cycle are precipitation, infiltration, and evapotranspiration, runoff, and change in storage. It can be quantified through the use of an input‐output model called the water balance or water budget. It is a form of the...
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Paz, C.G. et al. (2008). Field Water Cycle. In: Chesworth, W. (eds) Encyclopedia of Soil Science. Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-3995-9_228
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