Water EQ 3

Question 1

Define water stress

Answer 1

If renewable resources between 1000-1700m3 per capita then a country is said to be experiencing water stress

There are often restrictions on usage as well as conflict for water supplies and declining standard of harvests and security

Question 2

Define water scarcity

Answer 2

If renewable water resources are between 500-1000 m3 per capita then a country is said to be experiencing water scarcity

There is usually open tension and conflict, competition for the extraction of groundwater and insufficient flows to the natural environment

Question 3

Define absolute water scarcity

Answer 3

If renewable water resources are very low then there is widespread restriction on use

Question 4

Define Climate variability

Answer 4

Uneven distribution of rainfall globally me and there are areas of water deficit and surplus

Question 5

Physical causes of water insecurity

Answer 5

Climate variability
Seasonality
Geology

Question 6

Human causes of water insecurity

Answer 6

Increasing population and urbanisation
Over abstraction from rivers, lakes and aquifers 
Improving living standards 
Misuse of water 
Salt industries 
Industrialisation 
Agriculture

Question 7

Define Interception

Answer 7

Temporary storage when water is caught by plants, buildings and other hard surfaces before reaching the soil

Question 8

How do consequences of flooding differ between developed and developing countries

Answer 8

Post flood morbidity higher in developing as people unable to swim/ spread of water borne disease

Industry disparity- developing dependent on agriculture

Question 9

What are the environmental impacts of flooding

Answer 9

Recharged ground water systems
Transports sediment and nutrients inland
Subsistence farming reliant of flooding for transport of nutrients

Question 10

What are the Helsinki rules (1966)

Answer 10

Water should be delegated based on:
Natural factors 
Social and economic needs
Downstream impacts
Dependency 
Prior use
Efficiency