Water and Carbon:River exe Flashcards
location
in Devon
source is Exmoor and Mouth is Exmouth
flows through Tiverton and Exeter
maximum and minimum elevation
maximum 500m in the north
and minimum 25m towards mouth
geology
85% of the catchment area is impermeable rock-mainly sandstone
land use
67% of land is agricultural grassland peat bogs and woodland
65%
how much run off makes of the water balance
positive human activity
Wimbleball resevoir:
built in 1979 and provides water to Exeter and East Devon
Prevents extreme fluctuation of water through the year
negative human impact
drainage ditches were dug into peat bogs for farming
this increases water flow and also more carbon dioxide into atmosphere
what was done to rectify negative human impact?
Exmoor Mires project-since 1998
aimed to restore peat bogs and block drainage ditches
this will increase infiltartion capacity and more carbon storage
Aims to restore 2000ha
social impacts
december 2012-river burst its banks:
25 had to be evacuated due and 30 homes flooded