WATER CYCLE + INSECURITY EXAM QUESTIONS

Evaluate the extent to which transboundary water resources always lead to conflict between different players (20) intro, 4 points, conclusion - Answer-Intro- transboundary water sources are those sharing political boundary + often cross international boundaries, many players involved e.g governments + communities -can lead to tensions particularly where a number of countries/governments share it e.g. tiger Euphrates where war has been threatened due to threats to water supplies, although this could be argued not just to look at the water as other political challenges exist showing this may be a more determining factor -In a lot of cases though conflicts don't arise due to agreements being made, such as the Helsinki rules and the UN water courses convention that offer help + give certain frameworks, as well as agreements within countries such as the Colorado river basin + its 2 main agreements -tensions can though arise when different players within a basin have different interests + don't all agree, e.g. Mekong river basin, a sign that certain agreements/rules don't always work -however within countries despite basins having large populations tensions + different players being involved conflict doesn't have to arise, e.g. Murray darling basin Australia where plans + policies have been agreed to help combat water problems and so players can see how their problems will be resolved Conclusion- don't always lead to conflict, however tensions do often arise where other factors such as political tensions are at play or large populations where it is hard for all groups to agree Explain 2 ways in which planners can alter a rivers lag time to reduce the risk of flooding in storm events (6) - Answer--One way is to create green roofs to increase vegetation cover which therefore increases rates of interception as well as vegetation storage resulting in less water to reach the ground, slowing rates of soil saturation and so reducing surface runoff. -Another way is through things such as rainwater harvesting that helps to collect rainwater again reducing that that enters the ground with this being abled to then be recycled, or through permeable pavements. Assess the risks associated with water insecurity (12) intro + 3 points + conclusion - Answer-Intro- Water insecurity is defined as where a country does not have the sufficient water to meet demand, with this being a combination of both water scarcity + water stress. Water scarcity is where there is less than 1000m3 water available per person a year,with this being either economically meaning a lack of resources to harness the water available, or physically meaning there just isn't the water available at all. Water stress is when there is less than 1700m3 per person, with this often then leading to more temporary water shortages for a region. This can be seen to significantly impact a region in a number of ways, and with increasing energy demand and rising populations this insecurity is only set to increase. -One of the major risks associated with water insecurity is just how vital water is to peoples