hass essay Flashcards
very important bella (36 cards)
why are rivers important
rivers provide water for drinking, houshoulds and are essential natual resources
what are the three man made threats to rivers
habitat oss, flooding and chemical pollution
What human actions contribute to the degradation of river systems?
Urbanization, industrial development, and poor land management practices.
how are human actions linked to the threats faced by river systems?
Human actions like urbanization, industrial development, and poor land management practices lead to habitat loss, pollution, and flooding in rivers.
what is loss of habitat
Loss of habitat occurs when natural environments are destroyed due to human activities like urbanization, deforestation, or infrastructure development.
What is a major example of habitat loss related to rivers?
A major example is the Yangtze River in China, where the construction of the Three Gorges Dam led to significant habitat loss for people, animals, and plants
How has the Three Gorges Dam affected the Yangtze River?
the dam displaced many people and animals, altered river flow patterns, submerged 600 km of land, and caused the regression of floodplains and wetlands, impacting biodiversity.
What are some of the species affected by the Three Gorges Dam?
One of the animals affected by the dam is the Yangtze River dolphin, and fish species like the Chinese sturgeon are also impacted by changes in migration patterns.
What are some mitigation strategies to reduce habitat loss caused by the Three Gorges Dam?
fish migration programs,
environmental monitoring,
ecological restoration.
What major issue does the Three Gorges Dam pose to fish populations?
The dam blocks or alters migration routes for fish like the Chinese sturgeon and Yangtze River dolphin, leading to a decline in fish populations and some species becoming functionally extinct.
How do fish migration programs help mitigate the effects of dams on fish?
Fish migration programs help by using structures called fish passage systems that allow fish to continue migrating upstream and downstream despite the dam
What are some types of fish passage systems?
Types of fish passage systems include fish ladders, fish lifts, and bypass channels.
What is a fish ladder?
A fish ladder is a structure built like a ladder that mimics natural river conditions, allowing fish to swim around or over a barrier.
How does a fish lift work?
A fish lift is a large mechanical device that carries fish over or around a dam, which is useful for species that cannot use a fish ladder due to their size.
What is a bypass channel?
A bypass channel is an alternative pathway that allows fish to reach their destination without passing through the dam.
What is urbanization and how does it affect river systems?
Urbanization is the process of converting rural areas into urban spaces, such as cities and towns, which leads to changes in land surfaces (e.g., concrete, asphalt), preventing water from soaking into the ground and increasing flood risks.
How do impervious surfaces in urban areas contribute to flooding?
Impervious surfaces like concrete and asphalt prevent rainwater from being absorbed into the ground. Instead, water builds up on these surfaces and flows over them, increasing the risk of floods when it enters river systems.
How does urbanization near rivers contribute to flooding?
When humans build houses and infrastructure near rivers, it disrupts natural landscapes, increasing the likelihood of flooding as water is redirected and unable to be absorbed by the soil.
What is human-induced flooding?
human-induced flooding, also called anthropogenic flooding, occurs when human activities like urbanization, dam construction, and water diversion cause rivers to flood more frequently.
What is one river impacted by human-induced flooding due to urbanization?
he Mekong River in Asia, the 12th largest river in the world, experiences yearly flooding caused by dam construction and water diversion.
What are some mitigation strategies to reduce human-induced flooding?
Floodplain Zoning
Watershed Management
Stormwater Management
Flood Forecasting and Early Warning Systems
Flood Protection Infrastructure
Restoration of Natural Processes
What is urban stormwater management and how can it help reduce flooding
Urban stormwater management involves installing green infrastructure, like rain gardens and green roofs, to absorb and manage rainwater, preventing it from flooding urban areas.
What is a rain garden and how does it help with flooding?
A rain garden is a shallow, landscaped area with native plants that captures, filters, and stores rainwater before it enters storm drains, helping manage heavy rainfall and reduce flooding risks.
What are examples of plants that could be used in rain gardens for the Mekong River area?
For the Mekong River area, native plants like jackfruit and durian could be used in rain gardens to capture and filter rainfall.
