What term describes water bodies such as lakes and rivers that can be impacted by runoff?

The term that describes water bodies such as lakes and rivers that can be impacted by runoff is surface water. Surface water refers to any body of water that is found above ground, including lakes, rivers, streams, and reservoirs. These bodies of water are directly exposed to the atmosphere and are crucial for ecosystems and human use.

When rainfall or irrigation occurs, water can run off the land and enter these surface water bodies, bringing with it fertilizers, pesticides, and other contaminants. This runoff can significantly affect the water quality and the health of aquatic ecosystems, making surface water particularly susceptible to pollution and other negative impacts from agricultural practices. Understanding this relationship is essential for effective fertilizer application and environmental protection.

Groundwater refers to water located beneath the earth's surface, aquifers are specific geological formations that hold groundwater, and wetlands are areas where water covers the soil or is present at or near the surface for at least part of the year. While these terms are related to water resources and ecosystems, they do not specifically denote the direct effect of runoff on visible water bodies like surface water does.