PARKER, KYLIAH An understanding of the water cycle allows scientists to predict how changes in this cycle can affect the availability of water in specific ecosystems. Which statement explains how the availability of fresh water in terrestrial ecosystems is most directly affected by changes in the water cycle? Availability of fresh water increases as fewer glaciers form. Rising sea levels lead to increased availability of fresh water. Greater levels of precipitation lead to increased availability of fresh water. Availability of fresh water increases as plants lose more water by transpiration.