human impacts: water Flashcards
what is sustainable development goal 6
-SDG 6 is to “Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.”
what is water scarcity
-Water scarcity is the lack of fresh water resources to meet standard water demand.
what are the two main factors of water scarcity
-Water availability and water quality.
what percentage of the earths water is usable fresh water
-Less than 1% of Earth’s water is usable freshwater.
name three factors that affect water scarcity
-Droughts, poor farming practices, and wetland destruction.
how do dams impact water scarcity
-Dams reduce downstream water availability, disrupt ecosystems, and cause water loss through evaporation.
how can dam impacts be reduced
-By building smaller, localized dams, managing water discharge, planting water-wise crops, and recycling wastewater.
why are wetlands important
-Wetlands increase biodiversity, purify water, store water, and prevent floods.
what causes wetland destruction
-Causes include drainage for agriculture, housing, and mining, as well as pollution and overgrazing.
what are poor farming practices that affect water scarcity
-Mismanaged grazing, over-irrigation, and excessive use of chemicals.
what is drip irrigation and why is it better
-Drip irrigation releases water directly to plant roots, minimizing water loss and reducing soil erosion.
what are alien plants and how do they affect water availability
-Alien plants are non-native species that absorb more water, depleting water resources.
how does climate change affect water availability
-It causes more frequent droughts and floods, reducing the availability of water.
what is eutrophication
-Eutrophication is the excessive growth of algae due to nutrient runoff, which reduces oxygen and kills aquatic life.
what is acid mine drainage
-Acid mine drainage occurs when groundwater reacts with exposed rocks in mines, creating sulfuric acid that dissolves metals, polluting rivers and killing ecosystems.
