causes and effects of drought
Answers
Drought is a natural disaster that can have far reaching impacts. ... In most ecosystems, precipitation is the major source of water supply, which is why many droughts occur due to precipitation failure.
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Lack or insufficient rainfall (or precipitation)
This is the major cause of droughts in most regions. A long-drawn-out period without rainfall can cause an area to dry out. The quantity of water vapor in the atmosphere pretty much impacts the precipitation of an area. When a region has moist and low-pressure systems, there is huge probability that rain, hail, and snow will occur. The exact opposite would happen when the region has high-pressure systems, and less water vapor. Farmers plant crops in anticipation of rains, and so when the rains fail, and irrigation systems are not in place, agricultural drought happens.
Changes in climate
to the increase in greenhouse gasses to the atmosphere. This increase in greenhouse gasses has resulted in warmer temperatures. Warmer temperatures are recipes for dryness and bushfires. These set of conditions mightily contribute to prolonged droughts.
Human activities
Forests are critical components of the water cycle. They help store water, minimize evaporation, and contribute a great deal of atmospheric moisture in the form of transpiration. This, in essence, implies that deforestation, aimed at uplifting the economic status of a region, will expose vast quantities of water to evaporation. Cutting down trees will also take away the capability of the ground to retain water and allow desertification to occur easily. Deforestation also greatly minimizes watershed potential. Over-farming is another human activity contributing to droughts. Over-farming loosens the soil allowing erosion to take place. Soil erosion compromises the capacity of soil to hold water.
Overexploitation of surface water resources
Specific areas are endowed with surface water resources like rivers and streams whose sources are watersheds and mountains. These surface water resources could dry out if their main sources are interfered with. Irrigation systems and hydroelectric dams are just some of the aspects that contribute to over-exploitation of surface water resources. They also cut off supply of water to downstream communities.
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Harmful Effects of Droughts
Economic Effects
Economic effects of droughts usually involve loss of money by governments, enterprises, families or individuals. Below is an outline of the main economic impacts of droughts:
Farmers will have to contend with spending huge sums of money for irrigation and watering animals. This involves drilling wells or buying water from far distances.
Low yields equal loss of substantial income. Low yields also lead to pay cuts and layoffs to farm workers.
Businesses and industries that produce farm equipment may close down since farmers have no money to purchase equipment.
Prolonged shortage of rains means drier conditions. This makes an area susceptible to wildfires. Wildfires can destroy property; devastate farms and burn down forests. Governments spend millions to control or put out wildfires annually. All this affects the economy of the region.
If water supply plummets, hydropower plants operate below capacity, and this means businesses have to pay more for electricity or incur the cost of using their own generators. Energy firms also lose out since they are unable to satisfy energy demands of the region. The government also loses a big chunk of tax revenue.
Environmental Effects
Droughts lead to decimation of habitats. Water bodies such as rivers, lakes, ponds, lagoons, and creeks dry out, and this leads to death of water animals.
Soil moisture is critical to the breakdown of organic matter. Droughts compromise soil quality since there is less to zero organic activity because organisms have died.
Droughts magnify the impacts of desertification by wiping out any chance of land recovering.
The quality and health of surface water bodies such as rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds are enormously impacted. This endangers living organisms depending on the water for survival.
Wildlife walk long distances in search of water. They end up in new dangerous habitats that can lead to their demise.
Social Effects
The social effects of drought are the most potent since they directly impact humans. Many in the third world countries that have experienced drought can attest to their severity.
Water maintains our health. Sanitation and clean drinking water are critical to a healthy body.