Water EQ 2 Flashcards
1
Q
What is El Niño
A
A reduction in the trade winds
2
Q
Impacts of El Niño
A
- increased precipitation in South America
- reduced precipitation in Australia
3
Q
Impacts of droughts on rainforest ecosystems
A
- younger trees die
-reduces humidity therefore reduces precipitation - increased risk of fire
4
Q
Impacts of drought on wetland ecosystems
A
- reduction in habitats
- decrease in biodiversity
- major wildfire risk
5
Q
What causes flooding?
A
- saturated ground
- extremely dry ground
- long periods of wet conditions
- snowmelt
6
Q
Human impacts of flood risk
A
- mismanagement of rivers
- urbanisation
- agriculture
- deforestation
7
Q
Long term impacts of flooding
A
- economic disruption
- loss of livelihoods
- river banks eroded causing increased risk of floods
- habitats and ecosystems destroyed
8
Q
Ways to mitigate floods
A
- reforestation
- reduced urbanisation on floodplains
- smart urbanisation e.g. permeable pavements
9
Q
What is La Niña
A
Increase in trade winds
10
Q
Impacts of La Niña
A
- increased precipitation in Australia
- decreased precipitation in South America
11
Q
3 types of flooding
A
- groundwater floods
- surface water floods
- flash floods
12
Q
Define groundwater floods
A
Flooding that occurs after the ground becomes saturated from prolonged heavy rainfall
13
Q
Define surface water floods
A
Flooding that occurs when intense rainfall has insufficient times to infiltrate the soil, so flows overland
14
Q
Define flash floods
A
A flood with an exceptionally short lag time
15
Q
Meteorological causes of flooding
A
- intense storms
- prolonged heavy rain
- rapid snowmelt
