1.5 deficits within the hydrological system

Question 1

what is an agricultural drought?

Answer 1

when there is insufficient water for irrigation of crops

Question 1

what is a meteorological drought?

Answer 1

reduced precipitation compared to normal

Question 2

what is a hydrological drought?

Answer 2

when the drainage basin suffers from little precipitation

Question 3

when do droughts occur?

Answer 3

when there is a water deficit compared t the average rainfall

Question 4

when was Brazil’s worst drought in 80 years?

Answer 4

2014-2015

Question 5

what caused the Brazilian drought?

Answer 5

high pressure systems diverted rain-bearing winds north

Question 6

what were the impacts of the Brazilian drought?

Answer 6

water rationing
hydroelectric power production ceased - power cuts
reservoirs dried up
increased groundwater abstraction
reduced coffee crop - increased in price by 50%

Question 7

what is the impact of a drought on rainforests?
(4 points)

Answer 7

younger trees die reducing the canopy cover
reduction in humidity, water vapour and rainfall
dead vegetation can easily catch fire
high winds cause small fires to become wildfires

Question 8

what are the impacts of droughts on wetlands?
(3 points)

Answer 8

trees die at an increased rate
reduction in animal habitats, cattle ranching and ecotourism
ranchers cleared ungrazed land by burning it - spread to wetlands and forests