Rising sea levels case study - the Maldeves

Question 1

Location

Answer 1

Indian Ocean, south of India

Question 2

Capital city

Answer 2

Malé

Question 3

Population

Answer 3

380,000

Question 4

Islands

Answer 4

200

Question 5

Largest island

Answer 5

Roa Atoll

Question 6

Highest point

Answer 6

2.4m, Addu Atoll

Question 7

Predictions

Answer 7

Sea levels to rise 1m by 2100, meaning that many of the low lying islands will be severely affected.
Maybe come uninhabitable by 2030, but definitely by 2070.

Question 8

Mangroves

Answer 8

Dense roots help to break up waves and, in collecting sediment, build up natural defences against the sea.

Question 9

Social impacts

Answer 9

Smaller islands: size and low lying relief limit possibilities of retreating further inland to a safer location.
Relatively isolated, therefore if a natural disaster were to occur, it can take a very long time for help to arrive.

Question 10

Economic impacts

Answer 10

Severe because LDC (Least Developed Country) with very limited natural resources and rising populations.
Serious damage to multi-million pound upmarket tourism industry.

Question 11

Environmental impacts

Answer 11

Rising sea levels, storm surges, hurricanes.
Cause further salt contamination of palm trees and communal agricultural land.
Coastal flooding began 1989.
By 2001 happening on a monthly basis.

Question 12

SIDSs

Answer 12

Small Island Developing States
Particularly vulnerable to sea level rise.
Exposure to natural hazards.
Many island stuffer form water stress.
Storm surges cause damage to mangroves, coral reefs, and consequently fishing and tourism.