Physical Components Of Water Stress

Question 1

Few physical factors = affect the level of water stress experience by countries

Answer 1

Amount of precipitation
Availability of freshwater from glacial ice sheets

Question 2

Countries most at risk

Answer 2

Countries expected 2 see the highest likelihood = water stress = found in Northern Africa (Morocco) + Middle East (UAE)
Morocco + UAE are found = 30degrees north where = Hadley+ Ferrell circulation cells meet
Meeting of these cells cause an area = high pressure w/ sinking air + no cloud formation + minimal rainfall
Most deserts are found near 30 degrees N/S

Question 3

Countries least @ risk

Answer 3

Countries near the equator (e.g. Brazil)
Because there’s an area = low pressure where warm moist air rises before cooling + condensing 2 Form clouds + precipitation
Countries w/ large ice sheets (Greenland) also have a low risk = water stress
Most Greenland = covered w/ an ice sheet that despite the likelihood of being melted by climate change will make sure there’s plenty of freshwater available 4 consumption