Drought case study - California USA

Question 1

when did the drought occur?

Answer 1

Jan 2014

Question 2

what were the main hazards of the drought?

Answer 2

• subsidence
• contamination
• wildfires

Question 3

what are the impacts on people?

Answer 3

• risk to lives
• loss of food and income
• infrastructure and buildings damaged

Question 4

what are the impacts on ecosystems?

Answer 4

• destroys wildlife habitats

- wildfires cause air pollution

Question 5

how has the government responded?

Answer 5

• ran pubic education campaigns

- brought in state laws requiring a 25% cut in water usage

Question 6

how have organisations responded?

Answer 6

University of California research project for effectively managing groundwater

Question 7

how have individuals responded?

Answer 7

• homeowners are encouraged to check for water leaks

- protesters campaigned against companies selling bottled local water.

Question 8

Suggest the impact of drought on ecosystems in a developed country [3]

Answer 8

Much of California (USA) has been badly affected by drought. Wetlands and rivers have dries up so salmon cannot reach their breeding grounds. In dried up forest areas, forest wildfire have become frequent, destroying animal and plant habitats and killing wildlife. Therefore river and roast ecosystems are destroyed.