MYP 4-How can we manage the interaction of water and land Flashcards
What role does management and intervention play in water-land interactions?
Planned actions to regulate and balance interactions, such as flood control and irrigation systems.
Define sustainability in the context of water and land management.
Need for long-term solutions to ensure health of ecosystems for future generations.
What processes are integral to understanding water-land interactions?
Natural and human-made processes such as water cycles and soil conservation.
What are the main elements of a river basin?
- Source (Headwaters)
- Tributaries
- Main River Channel
- Watershed (Drainage Divide)
- Floodplain
- Riverbanks
- Mouth (Delta or Estuary)
- Catchment Area
- Confluence
- Aquifers
- Sediment Load
What changes occur in a river as it flows downstream?
- Gradient decreases
- Channel width and depth increase
- Velocity increases
- Discharge increases
- Sediment size decreases
- Erosion shifts from vertical to lateral
- Features change from waterfalls to deltas
- Flow characteristics change from turbulent to smoother
What is the hydrological cycle?
The continuous movement of water on, above, and below the Earth’s surface.
What are the processes that occur in rivers?
- Erosion
- Transportation
- Deposition
Fill in the blank: The river’s sediment particles wear away the riverbed and banks through _______.
Attrition
What are the human impacts on river and coastal regions?
- Pollution and water quality degradation
- Habitat destruction and loss of biodiversity
- Climate change and rising sea levels
- River modification and water management
- Coastal erosion and land loss
- Positive human interventions
True or False: Deforestation can increase the risk of flooding.
True
What are some natural causes of flooding?
- Heavy rainfall
- Snowmelt and ice jams
- Storm surges
- Tsunamis
- Soil saturation
What human activities can lead to flooding?
- Deforestation
- Urbanization and poor drainage
- Climate change
- Dam failures
- Land reclamation
Fill in the blank: The force of the river’s water erodes the riverbed through _______.
Hydraulic action
What is a significant consequence of industrial waste on rivers?
Pollution and harm to aquatic life.
What happens to sediment load as a river flows downstream?
Sediment load increases due to higher discharge and velocity.
What is the effect of excessive groundwater extraction on rivers?
Lowers river levels, affecting aquatic ecosystems.
What are some features of the upper course of a river?
- Waterfalls
- Rapids
- Steep valleys
What are some features of the lower course of a river?
- Deltas
- Levees
- Wide floodplains
What is the impact of urban development on coastal areas?
Increases vulnerability to storms and sea-level rise.
What engineering solutions can help manage flooding?
- Building levees
- Seawalls
- Groynes
How does climate change affect river and coastal environments?
- Increases extreme weather patterns
- Melting glaciers raise sea levels
Fill in the blank: The river’s speed decreases and it can’t carry its load during _______.
Deposition
What can lead to coastal flooding?
Rising sea levels
Coastal flooding is exacerbated by climate change and melting ice caps.
What are the consequences of dam failures?
Catastrophic flooding from released massive amounts of water downstream
Poor maintenance and overloading of dams increase the risk of failure.
How does land reclamation affect flood protection?
Draining wetlands for agriculture, industry, or urban expansion leads to loss of natural flood absorption
Wetlands play a crucial role in mitigating flooding.
What is the impact of poor river management on flooding?
Increased flood risks from alterations like canalization or blocking natural water flow
Human interventions can disrupt natural hydrology.
What is a consequence of excessive groundwater extraction?
Land subsidence, making areas more vulnerable to flooding
Overuse of underground water resources can lower land levels.
How does sand mining contribute to flooding?
Weakens riverbanks, increasing erosion and flooding risks
The removal of sand from riverbeds affects structural integrity.
What are hard engineering methods for flood prevention?
Man-made structures like dams, levees, and flood walls
These methods aim to control water flow and protect urban areas.
What is an example of a dam used for flood control?
Hoover Dam, USA
Dams store excess water and control river flow.
What are levees used for?
Prevent overflow of rivers by acting as raised barriers
Example: Mississippi River levees.
What is the purpose of flood walls?
Protect cities from floods through concrete barriers
Example: Thames Barrier, UK.
What does channelization involve?
Straightening rivers and deepening beds for faster water flow
This can increase flood risks if not managed properly.
What is an example of a soft engineering flood prevention method?
Afforestation
Planting trees helps absorb rainwater and reduce runoff.
What is wetland restoration?
Using natural areas to soak up excess water
Restoring wetlands can significantly mitigate flooding.
What are permeable surfaces?
Materials that allow water to seep into the ground
They help reduce surface runoff and flooding.
What is riverbank re-naturalization?
Allowing rivers to flow naturally to reduce flood peaks
This method supports ecological balance.
What do flood warning systems do?
Provide early warnings to prepare communities for flooding
These systems can save lives and reduce damage.
What is beach nourishment?
Adding fresh sand to widen sandy beaches
This helps protect coastal areas from erosion.
What is the purpose of sand dune stabilization?
To hold sand dunes in place using fences or grass
This protects shorelines from erosion.
What does managed retreat involve?
Allowing wetlands to form in flooded coastal areas
This is a strategy for adapting to rising sea levels.
What role do mangrove trees play in coastal protection?
They protect shorelines from wave impact
Dense mangrove forests are effective natural barriers.
What is a sea wall?
A tall concrete wall along the shore blocking waves
Sea walls are designed to prevent coastal flooding.
What are groynes used for?
To trap sand and reduce erosion along the coast
They extend into the sea and affect sediment transport.
What is rock armour?
Large boulders placed along coasts to absorb wave energy
This protects shorelines from wave action.
What are breakwaters?
Structures built offshore to reduce wave impact on beaches
They create calmer water areas for coastal development.
What do revetments do?
Absorb wave energy using sloping barriers
Revetments can be made of concrete or wood.
