What you'll need to know...
KEY CONCEPT - Future possibilities for management intervention in drainage basins
The importance of strengthening participation of local communities to improve water management in different economic development contexts, including sustainable water use and efficiency, and ensuring access to clean safe and affordable water
Increased dam building for multipurpose water schemes, and their costs and benefits
• Case study of contemporary dam building expansion in one major drainage basin
The growing importance of integrated drainage basin management (IDBM) plans, and the costs and benefits they bring
• Case study of one recent IDBM plan
Growing pressures on major wetlands and efforts to protect them, such as the Ramsar Convention
• Case study of the future possibilities for one wetland area
The importance of strengthening participation of local communities to improve water management in different economic development contexts, including sustainable water use and efficiency, and ensuring access to clean safe and affordable water
Increased dam building for multipurpose water schemes, and their costs and benefits
• Case study of contemporary dam building expansion in one major drainage basin
The growing importance of integrated drainage basin management (IDBM) plans, and the costs and benefits they bring
• Case study of one recent IDBM plan
Growing pressures on major wetlands and efforts to protect them, such as the Ramsar Convention
• Case study of the future possibilities for one wetland area
Increased dam building for multipurpose water schemes, and their costs and benefits...
Complete tasks 1 & 2 on the work sheet above right.
Task 1 - Background
Read Geofile 410 September 2001 and make notes on the generic social, economic, environmental, political and issues (SEEP) surrounding dam construction.
Task 2 - Environmental Impacts
a. Click to read this BBC Futures article - Outline the environmental impacts of dams to affected areas.
b. Then read GeoFile Online River management schemes – blessing or curse? (Ed 399, April 2001)
Scroll to page 3 and pay particular attention to 'The Drawbacks of Large Schemes'. Outline those hydrological changes that can result from dam construction
c. Outline what has been done in the Grand Canyon by reading and highlighting this 2012 article from the Daily Mail.
Task 1 - Background
Read Geofile 410 September 2001 and make notes on the generic social, economic, environmental, political and issues (SEEP) surrounding dam construction.
Task 2 - Environmental Impacts
a. Click to read this BBC Futures article - Outline the environmental impacts of dams to affected areas.
b. Then read GeoFile Online River management schemes – blessing or curse? (Ed 399, April 2001)
Scroll to page 3 and pay particular attention to 'The Drawbacks of Large Schemes'. Outline those hydrological changes that can result from dam construction
c. Outline what has been done in the Grand Canyon by reading and highlighting this 2012 article from the Daily Mail.
Dam building - The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam...
Task - To build up a case study of contemporary dam building expansion (G.E.R.D) on the river Nile as well as the related geopolitical effects. You can record your case study on an A3 version of the case study structure sheet beneath the videos (below).
Below, you will find three resources that aim to explain what the GERD is and three that go into further detail regarding some of the conflict surrounding the scheme. As you can imagine in a basin this size, the implications for a dam of this size are considerable for countries downstream.
Once complete, please complete the following IB DP style Paper 1 examination question.
Examine the costs and benefits of dams and reservoirs as part of multi-purpose schemes using a contemporary example. (10)
The growing importance of integrated drainage basin management (IDBM) plans...
"Integrated river basin management (IRBM) is the process of coordinating conservation, management and development of water, land and related resources across sectors within a given river basin, in order to maximise the economic and social benefits derived from water resources in an equitable manner while preserving and, where necessary, restoring freshwater ecosystems."
Adapted from Integrated Water Resources Management, Global Water Partnership Technical Advisory Committee Background Papers, No. 4, 2000.)
Adapted from Integrated Water Resources Management, Global Water Partnership Technical Advisory Committee Background Papers, No. 4, 2000.)
Task 1 - Read the text above, watch the video and then briefly answer the following questions:
i. What is a watershed/drainage basin?
ii. What are the main functions of a watershed/drainage basin?
iii. How can human action influence the functioning of the system?
iv. What is an Integrated river basin management (IRBM) plan?
Task 2 - Click here to be taken to a little background information on IRBM plans from the JKGeography. Create a spider diagram to show the seven key elements to a successful IRBM initiative.
Case Study. Back to the Murray Darling (Australia)...
Task 2 - Watch the first video below and take notes on the history of the mismanagement of the Murray Darling Drainage Basin in Australia. Take a copy of the graphic below and copy it into your notes noting the great importance that is placed on this area in terms of agricultural productivity, tourism and biodiversity.
Task 2 - Watch the first video below and take notes on the history of the mismanagement of the Murray Darling Drainage Basin in Australia. Take a copy of the graphic below and copy it into your notes noting the great importance that is placed on this area in terms of agricultural productivity, tourism and biodiversity.
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Task 3 - Using the videos below and the note taking A3 sheet, complete the activities as set out.
Task 3 - Using the videos below and the note taking A3 sheet, complete the activities as set out.
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Growing pressures on major wetlands and efforts to protect them...
Click here to be taken to an explanation of how wetlands are utilized as a water resource.
Task 1 - Using this worksheet, create some revision notes outlining the major values and a brief explanation of each.
So, as you might have guessed, we are heading back to Australia again for this section. As part of the Murray Darling Drainage Basin, the Nimmie-Caira wetlands have been severely impacted by human activity and more recently have been part of a massive investment scheme to restore them.
Task 1 - Using this worksheet, create some revision notes outlining the major values and a brief explanation of each.
So, as you might have guessed, we are heading back to Australia again for this section. As part of the Murray Darling Drainage Basin, the Nimmie-Caira wetlands have been severely impacted by human activity and more recently have been part of a massive investment scheme to restore them.
Task 2 - Using the resources above and below, create some 'detailed example' notes that outline the pressures Nimmie Caira and the subsequent efforts to protect them, including the future possibilities for the area.
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The Ramsar Convention... (optional extra)
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Starter: Jog your memory. Watch the video to the right that reminds you of the importance of wetlands and the Ramsar Convention.
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Task 1 - Download the fact sheet below, print out and highlight the key components of the Ramsar Convention.
Community-level responses to water management...
As you have seen, there are a variety of possibilities at different scales to manage water scarcity and associated issues. This last lesson on the freshwater course will encourage you to think about ways in which this can be done on a smaller community-level scale.
A famous technique to reduce water wastage and to manage water use is known as rainwater harvesting. This entails the capture of rainwater before it is drained away or evaporates. Below are two examples of schemes in contrasting parts of the world. The first is 'glacial runoff harvesting' - an amazing Ice Stupa project in Ladakh, a region in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, brought about as a result of climate change and glacial retreat (note synthesis opportunity with 2.2 Climate Vulnerability & Resilience). The second is construction of sand dams in Eastern Africa.
Task 1 - Use the note taking framework below to record the important information surrounding both schemes.
A famous technique to reduce water wastage and to manage water use is known as rainwater harvesting. This entails the capture of rainwater before it is drained away or evaporates. Below are two examples of schemes in contrasting parts of the world. The first is 'glacial runoff harvesting' - an amazing Ice Stupa project in Ladakh, a region in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, brought about as a result of climate change and glacial retreat (note synthesis opportunity with 2.2 Climate Vulnerability & Resilience). The second is construction of sand dams in Eastern Africa.
Task 1 - Use the note taking framework below to record the important information surrounding both schemes.
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Task 2 - The final case study beneath focuses on Jordan's Water Wise Women. Watch the third and final video beneath and take notes on the issues, training and outcomes of this project making notes on synthesis opportunities.
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Exam Corner
Using the notes from the three videos above, create a plan and response to the following Paper 1 style question: Outline the possibilities that communities can make towards minimizing their local area’s vulnerability to water scarcity in different global settings. [10] *Evaluate (AO3): Make an appraisal by weighing up the strengths and limitations |
