Science Unit 7 Lesson 1

Question 1

In 2017, the Texas Water Development Board predicted that by 2070 there will be a 41% gap between water demand and supply. How would this affect the state of Texas?

Answer 1

This challenge will have varying effects on different parts of Texas because each region has its own distinct population, water demands, and water supplies. Variation in urban growth, resource distribution, and resource demands will result in some areas experiencing more serious challenges than others.

Question 2

What is the definition of demand?

Answer 2

The amount of a resource that is desired by consumers

Question 3

What is the definition of supply?

Answer 3

The amount of a resource that is available to consumers

Question 4

What are the three essential elements to sustain life on Earth?

Answer 4

Water, food, and energy

Question 5

Water, food, and energy are essential to sustain life on Earth. Around the globe, how many people are not accessible to these elements?

Answer 5

Around the globe, billions of people lack access to one or more of these resources.

Question 6

According to the World Resources Institute, by 2030, water, food, and energy demands are expected to increase by what percent?

Answer 6

40–50%

Question 7

What is the definition of resource?

Answer 7

A source or supply that a country has and use to increase its wealth

Question 8

What are the connections between food, water, and energy?

Answer 8

Food requires a lot of water and in many places irrigation comes from water supplies that are either above ground or underground. You need energy to pump that water and you need energy to move water around in society.

Question 9

How is water connected to energy?

Answer 9

Water then, on the other hand, is connected with energy because you need water for the energy that we use in society.
…
For example, we use pumped hydro power to actually balance our grids today. We also need water for cooling the thermal power plants that we use in society.

Question 10

How is energy connected to food?

Answer 10

We also use energy in the processing of food that comes from agriculture. So we do a lot of food processing to make things like catsup from tomatoes and things like that that require a lot of energy input.

Question 11

How much water is used in the U.S. per day?

Answer 11

332 billion gallons

Question 12

What is direct water?

Answer 12

water that is used or consumed by an individual or group of individuals

Question 13

What are examples of direct water?

Answer 13

includes drinking water and water used to water lawns or flush toilets

Question 14

What is virtual water (hidden water)?

Answer 14

water used in production of services and goods that consumers need and enjoy

Question 15

What does virtual water appear in?

Answer 15

appears in the water used in foods you eat or products that you buy, the energy you consume, or the water you saved by recycling. Virtual water use makes up most of people’s water footprint.

Question 16

Given on the other side are some virtual ways people use water:

Answer 16

• production of food, such as pizza or chocolate
• production of other products, such as clothes, shoes, or cars
• water used in electricity production and the use of electrical appliances
• cooling of thermoelectric power plants
• water used to produce electricity that runs water treatment plants

Question 17

What is your water footprint?

Answer 17

Your water footprint is the amount of water you consume in your daily life, including the water used to grow the food you eat, to produce the energy you use and for all of the products in your daily life – your books, music, house, car, furniture and the clothes you wear.

Question 18

What is the human water cycle?

Answer 18

The human cycle describes how humans get, use, and reuse water.

Question 19

How is the human water cycle connected to the water cycle?

Answer 19

how humans get, use, and reuse water. Both Earth’s water cycle and the human water cycle are interconnected and vital for sustaining life.

Question 20

Currently 70% of freshwater consumption is used for what?

Answer 20

agriculture

Question 21

What is adding stress on water sources?

Answer 21

The increasing demands by crops and livestock production for fresh water along with many other uses, such as producing energy, are adding stress on water sources.

Question 22

How does food production impact the quality of freshwater sources?

Answer 22

In addition, food production impacts the quality of freshwater sources by introducing contaminants to existing supplies.

Question 23

What is Agricultural runoff?

Answer 23

precipitation or irrigation water from farm fields that reaches streams, rivers, lakes, or the ocean, often carrying pollutants

Question 24

How does agricultural runoff affect groundwater?

Answer 24

Agricultural runoff adds fertilizers, pesticides, and animal waste into surface water and groundwater. This results in algal blooms (or overgrowth of algae in water) which lowers the oxygen level, creating dead zones in bodies of water. This impacts aquatic life and fishing industries.

Question 25

What are algal blooms and what do they do?

Answer 25

algal blooms (or overgrowth of algae in water) which lowers the oxygen level, creating dead zones in bodies of water. This impacts aquatic life and fishing industries.

Question 26

Describe the Drip Irrigation
6 water-saving practices

Answer 26

Drip irrigation carries water and fertilizer directly to the plants’ roots, decreasing evaporation and runoff that occur when using a conventional sprinkler. Drip irrigation is 40% more efficient than other irrigation systems.

Question 27

What are the 6 water-saving practices for farmers?

Answer 27

• types of crops that are better for soil health and water conservation
• tilling vs. no tilling
• different irrigation technologies
• cover crops
• advantages of using compost

Question 28

Rainwater Harvesting describe
6 water-saving pratices

Answer 28

Rainwater harvesting captures and stores rainwater for later use. It can help reduce the reliance on groundwater and other existing water supplies. Properly stored and captured rainwater can used for things such as landscaping, wildlife and livestock watering, and in-home water use.

Question 29

Choosing the Right Crops
6 water-saving practices

Answer 29

When choosing crops, pick ones that are appropriate for the area’s climate.Drought-tolerant crops such as cucumbers, or crops that have low water needs can be planted in arid regions. Perennial crops are alive year-round and are harvested multiple times, such as apples and asparagus. Perennial crops hold the soil and help protect the soil longer than annual crops. This helps reduce loss of enriched soil due to water erosion, wind erosion, or runoff. Annual crops lose more water than perennials and require more irrigation.

Question 30

Use of compost
6 water-saving practices

Answer 30

Compost is made up of decomposed plant matter or animal waste and can be used as an add-on to fertilizer. Compost slowly releases nutrients as the
organic matter decomposes. It helps improve the structure of the soil and increases the soil’s capacity to hold water and nutrients.

Question 31

Cover crops
6 water saving practices

Answer 31

Cover crops help improve soil health and maintain a cleaner surface and groundwater. They can help prevent soil erosion, decrease nutrient loss, suppress weeds and nematodes, increase soil health, and control pests and insects. Legumes and grasses are the most commonly used cover crops.

Question 32

No-tilling Farming

Answer 32

As the soil is not being turned over, there is less soil erosion by water or wind. The plant residues that are left behind hold water and reduce evaporation.

Question 33

what are the benfits of perennial crops?

Answer 33

Perennial crops hold the soil and help protect the soil longer than annual crops. This helps reduce loss of enriched soil due to water erosion, wind erosion, or runoff. Annual crops lose more water than perennials and require more irrigation.