The Water Balance and its Zonal Characteristics

The structure of the water-balance is found to have zonal characteristics corresponding to the major natural geographic zones (tundra, forest, steppe). Data on evapotranspiration and groundwater runoff plotted as a function of soil moisture show a distinct zonal pattern of the water-balance structure. This pattern is most clearly evident in the groundwater runoff coefficient, which reflects the share of soil moisture that percolates downward to replenish the groundwater reserves.