MYP 4-How can we manage the interaction of water and land

Question 1

What role does management and intervention play in water-land interactions?

Answer 1

Planned actions to regulate and balance interactions, such as flood control and irrigation systems.

Question 2

Define sustainability in the context of water and land management.

Answer 2

Need for long-term solutions to ensure health of ecosystems for future generations.

Question 3

What processes are integral to understanding water-land interactions?

Answer 3

Natural and human-made processes such as water cycles and soil conservation.

Question 4

What are the main elements of a river basin?

Answer 4

• Source (Headwaters)
• Tributaries
• Main River Channel
• Watershed (Drainage Divide)
• Floodplain
• Riverbanks
• Mouth (Delta or Estuary)
• Catchment Area
• Confluence
• Aquifers
• Sediment Load

Question 5

What changes occur in a river as it flows downstream?

Answer 5

• Gradient decreases
• Channel width and depth increase
• Velocity increases
• Discharge increases
• Sediment size decreases
• Erosion shifts from vertical to lateral
• Features change from waterfalls to deltas
• Flow characteristics change from turbulent to smoother

Question 6

What is the hydrological cycle?

Answer 6

The continuous movement of water on, above, and below the Earth’s surface.

Question 7

What are the processes that occur in rivers?

Answer 7

• Erosion
• Transportation
• Deposition

Question 8

Fill in the blank: The river’s sediment particles wear away the riverbed and banks through _______.

Answer 8

Attrition

Question 9

What are the human impacts on river and coastal regions?

Answer 9

• Pollution and water quality degradation
• Habitat destruction and loss of biodiversity
• Climate change and rising sea levels
• River modification and water management
• Coastal erosion and land loss
• Positive human interventions

Question 10

True or False: Deforestation can increase the risk of flooding.

Answer 10

True

Question 11

What are some natural causes of flooding?

Answer 11

• Heavy rainfall
• Snowmelt and ice jams
• Storm surges
• Tsunamis
• Soil saturation

Question 12

What human activities can lead to flooding?

Answer 12

• Deforestation
• Urbanization and poor drainage
• Climate change
• Dam failures
• Land reclamation

Question 13

Fill in the blank: The force of the river’s water erodes the riverbed through _______.

Answer 13

Hydraulic action

Question 14

What is a significant consequence of industrial waste on rivers?

Answer 14

Pollution and harm to aquatic life.

Question 15

What happens to sediment load as a river flows downstream?

Answer 15

Sediment load increases due to higher discharge and velocity.

Question 16

What is the effect of excessive groundwater extraction on rivers?

Answer 16

Lowers river levels, affecting aquatic ecosystems.

Question 17

What are some features of the upper course of a river?

Answer 17

• Waterfalls
• Rapids
• Steep valleys

Question 18

What are some features of the lower course of a river?

Answer 18

• Deltas
• Levees
• Wide floodplains

Question 19

What is the impact of urban development on coastal areas?

Answer 19

Increases vulnerability to storms and sea-level rise.

Question 20

What engineering solutions can help manage flooding?

Answer 20

• Building levees
• Seawalls
• Groynes

Question 21

How does climate change affect river and coastal environments?

Answer 21

• Increases extreme weather patterns
• Melting glaciers raise sea levels

Question 22

Fill in the blank: The river’s speed decreases and it can’t carry its load during _______.

Answer 22

Deposition

Question 23

What can lead to coastal flooding?

Answer 23

Rising sea levels

Coastal flooding is exacerbated by climate change and melting ice caps.

Question 24

What are the consequences of dam failures?

Answer 24

Catastrophic flooding from released massive amounts of water downstream

Poor maintenance and overloading of dams increase the risk of failure.

Question 25

How does land reclamation affect flood protection?

Answer 25

Draining wetlands for agriculture, industry, or urban expansion leads to loss of natural flood absorption ## Footnote Wetlands play a crucial role in mitigating flooding.

Question 26

What is the impact of poor river management on flooding?

Answer 26

Increased flood risks from alterations like canalization or blocking natural water flow ## Footnote Human interventions can disrupt natural hydrology.

Question 27

What is a consequence of excessive groundwater extraction?

Answer 27

Land subsidence, making areas more vulnerable to flooding ## Footnote Overuse of underground water resources can lower land levels.

Question 28

How does sand mining contribute to flooding?

Answer 28

Weakens riverbanks, increasing erosion and flooding risks ## Footnote The removal of sand from riverbeds affects structural integrity.

Question 29

What are hard engineering methods for flood prevention?

Answer 29

Man-made structures like dams, levees, and flood walls ## Footnote These methods aim to control water flow and protect urban areas.

Question 30

What is an example of a dam used for flood control?

Answer 30

Hoover Dam, USA ## Footnote Dams store excess water and control river flow.

Question 31

What are levees used for?

Answer 31

Prevent overflow of rivers by acting as raised barriers ## Footnote Example: Mississippi River levees.

Question 32

What is the purpose of flood walls?

Answer 32

Protect cities from floods through concrete barriers ## Footnote Example: Thames Barrier, UK.

Question 33

What does channelization involve?

Answer 33

Straightening rivers and deepening beds for faster water flow ## Footnote This can increase flood risks if not managed properly.

Question 34

What is an example of a soft engineering flood prevention method?

Answer 34

Afforestation ## Footnote Planting trees helps absorb rainwater and reduce runoff.

Question 35

What is wetland restoration?

Answer 35

Using natural areas to soak up excess water ## Footnote Restoring wetlands can significantly mitigate flooding.

Question 36

What are permeable surfaces?

Answer 36

Materials that allow water to seep into the ground ## Footnote They help reduce surface runoff and flooding.

Question 37

What is riverbank re-naturalization?

Answer 37

Allowing rivers to flow naturally to reduce flood peaks ## Footnote This method supports ecological balance.

Question 38

What do flood warning systems do?

Answer 38

Provide early warnings to prepare communities for flooding ## Footnote These systems can save lives and reduce damage.

Question 39

What is beach nourishment?

Answer 39

Adding fresh sand to widen sandy beaches ## Footnote This helps protect coastal areas from erosion.

Question 40

What is the purpose of sand dune stabilization?

Answer 40

To hold sand dunes in place using fences or grass ## Footnote This protects shorelines from erosion.

Question 41

What does managed retreat involve?

Answer 41

Allowing wetlands to form in flooded coastal areas ## Footnote This is a strategy for adapting to rising sea levels.

Question 42

What role do mangrove trees play in coastal protection?

Answer 42

They protect shorelines from wave impact ## Footnote Dense mangrove forests are effective natural barriers.

Question 43

What is a sea wall?

Answer 43

A tall concrete wall along the shore blocking waves ## Footnote Sea walls are designed to prevent coastal flooding.

Question 44

What are groynes used for?

Answer 44

To trap sand and reduce erosion along the coast ## Footnote They extend into the sea and affect sediment transport.

Question 45

What is rock armour?

Answer 45

Large boulders placed along coasts to absorb wave energy ## Footnote This protects shorelines from wave action.

Question 46

What are breakwaters?

Answer 46

Structures built offshore to reduce wave impact on beaches ## Footnote They create calmer water areas for coastal development.

Question 47

What do revetments do?

Answer 47

Absorb wave energy using sloping barriers ## Footnote Revetments can be made of concrete or wood.