What are the environmental impacts of drought?
| Examples of Environmental Impacts of Drought | |
|---|---|
| Fish and Animals | Reduction and degradation of fish and wildlife habitat. Lack of drinking water for livestock and wildlife. |
| Land | Reduced soil quality. Increased quantity of dust. |
| Plant Communities | Reduced soil quality. Death of vegetation and trees. |
How are droughts affected by climate change?
Climate change increases the odds of worsening drought in many parts of the United States and the world in the decades ahead. A changing climate can also alter atmospheric rivers (narrow streams of moisture transported in the atmosphere), which can especially disrupt precipitation patterns in the Western United States.
What happens in a drought and how do droughts affect the environment?
Drought also affects the environment in many different ways. Plants and animals depend on water, just like people. When a drought occurs, their food supply can shrink and their habitat can be damaged. Sometimes the damage is only temporary and their habitat and food supply return to normal when the drought is over.
How can we prepare for droughts?
- Plant native and/or drought-tolerant grasses, ground covers, shrubs and trees. They don’t need water as frequently and usually will survive a dry period without watering.
- Install water efficient irrigation devices, such as micro and drip irrigation and soaker hoses.
- Use mulch to retain moisture in the soil.
What is the relationship between water shortage and drought?
“Drought” is a natural hazard, caused by large-scale climatic variability, and cannot be prevented by local water management. “Water scarcity” refers to the long-term unsustainable use of water resources, which water managers can influence.
Does wasting water cause drought?
No, wasting household water does not ultimately remove that water from the global water cycle, but it does remove it from the portion of the water cycle that is readily accessible and usable by humans. Also, “wasting” water wastes the energy and resources that were used to process and deliver the water.
What is the difference between water stress and drought risk?
Drought refers to the state of the system (often quantified as when water levels fall below a certain threshold), whereas water scarcity refers to the dependence of people on that system and it only occurs when water availability is low compared to the human demand.
How drought and climate change affect our available water supply?
Climate change is disrupting weather patterns, leading to extreme weather events, unpredictable water availability, exacerbating water scarcity and contaminating water supplies. Such impacts can drastically affect the quantity and quality of water that children need to survive.