Which of the following DECREASES with increasing stream order number?
A) average stream length
B) average watershed area
C) average stream discharge
D) average stream gradient
E) average stream capacity

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to the Strahler stream order system, as stream order number increases, smaller streams join together to form larger streams, leading to a decrease in stream gradient. Therefore, the correct answer is D) average stream gradient decreases with increasing stream order number. The other choices (A, B, C, and E) generally increase with increasing stream order number, as larger streams with longer lengths, larger watershed areas, greater discharge, and higher capacity are formed by the joining of smaller streams.

Which of the Following DECREASES with Increasing Stream Order Number