Murray-Darling

Question 1

Factors affecting flows = MD

Answer 1

Climate
Seasonality
Human influences

Question 2

Climate

Answer 2

MD = Australia where the climate is seasonal sub-tropical
Most = MD basin is in a rain shadow = meaning that the basin is surrounded by mountains that collect most of the regions rain. This can cause periods of prolonged drought
Tributaries to the north experience a monsoon climate whilst the southern tributaries experience temperate climate
Wet (aug-nov) + dry(jan-apr) seasons that cause high + low river flows respectively

Question 3

Seasonality

Answer 3

High seasonal variability for MD discharge because of the clear wet + dry seasons
River is also impacted by the changes in rainfall patterns during = La Niña + El Niño years
La Niña brings cooler than normal sea surface temps + wetter weather to Australia
El Niño brings the opposite less rainfall

Question 4

Human influence

Answer 4

Water is drawn from the MD for use in Australia’s cities + also irrigate farms
Natural flow paths of the river have been altered for human access which has led to loss of habitat for local animals + decline in quality of water