Dams & Reservoirs
Objective: Analyse the hydrological changes resulting from the construction of dams and reservoirs. Examine the costs and benefits of dams and reservoirs as part of multi-purpose schemes.
Task 1 - Background Read Geofile 410 September 2001 and make notes on the generic economic, political and social issues surrounding dam construction. Task 2 - Environmental Impacts a. Click to read the article: Why damming world's rivers is a tricky balancing act - 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 2 and pay particular attention to 'The Drawbacks of Large Schemes'. Outline the hydrological changes resulting 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 3 - Major Case Study China & Three Gorge Dam Project. Use this SEEP framework sheet to record Three Gorges Dam information as you read it. a. Read the Geo Fact Sheet 114 - Three Gorges Dam b. Read this recent story about the human impact of the scheme in China from BBC news and study this infographic c. Watch the YouTube videos to the right. d. Complete the essay question: Examine the costs (SEEP) and benefits (SEEP) of dams and reservoirs as part of multi-purpose schemes using a case study location that you have studied. (15) Level 6 & 7 Additional Reading Hydrological Effect of Dams - Resource 3 Comprehensive Word Document (Excerpted from Silenced Rivers: The Ecology and Politics of Large Dams by Patrick McCully) Another Viewpoint Interesting alternative: Removing a dam in Olympic National Park in the USA. Homework and Extra Research Watch the 1 hour documentary - The Great Wall Across the Yangtze - to the right hand side. Human Mismanagement Case Study - The Val di Stava Dam collapse occurred on July 19, 1985, when two tailings dams above the village of Stava, near Tesero, northern Italy, failed. It resulted in one of Italy's worst disasters, killing 268 people, destroying 63 buildings and demolishing eight bridges. |
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Fluvial LandformsObjective: To explain stream channel processes and explain the resultant land forms found on floodplains.
Quick Game? Click here and again? Click here ... one last challenge? Click here Starter - Study the geographyalltheway.com slideshare to the right and take notes on the four different types of river erosion on page 4 as well as the four types of transportation on page 5. You are going to split into teams of three. Each person in the group will represent one of the following: 1. Erosional Features (V-Shaped Valleys & Waterfalls) 2. Depositional Features (Floodplains, levées, deltas) 3. Joint feature (meanders, oxbow lakes & point bars) Task 1 - You are going to create a revision fact sheet for each person in your group about your allocated features under the heading above.
Excellent source of information here Exam Link Landforms can be classified as either erosional or depositional. Discuss this statement. (10) You are going to write this most of this up as a group effort (use the framework sheet below) Step 1 - You should each choose at least one fluvial feature. Step 2 - You should then aim to write at least 150 words discussing the title above in relation to the feature. Step 3 - Merge all three pieces of work together and devise some link sentences. This will be the main body of your work. Individual Task - You need to now write an effective introduction and conclusion to this piece of work before printing it out. |
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Human Modifications
Objective: Examine the human modifications of a floodplain and their effect on the size and probability of floods.
Task 1 - Turn to page 90 of Waugh - Integrated Approach. Use the A3 outline sheet to annotate on the features of a river with 1. Free Reign and 2. that has been corseted. Add suitable titles to your work.
Task 2: Evaluate the costs and benefits of alternative stream management strategies (PowerPoint).
Case Study Toulouse - Option 1
Click here for the worksheet to fill in using Toulouse as the case study example (Note: Website is in French and will require a good understanding of the language to complete). Click here to access the website in Toulouse.
**Optional Extra** - Here is the sheet for the IB Toulouse boat trip to see in practice what we have been learning about.
Case Study Colarado USA - Option 2
Turn to page 93-97 in Integrated Approach and use the Colarado basin as your focus to answer the IB style question below.
Case Study Thailand - Option 3
Alternative Study - Floodplain management in Thailand - BBC Article
Exam practice.
With reference to one named area of floodplain, evaluate the costs and benefits of at least three different stream management strategies.
Task 1 - Turn to page 90 of Waugh - Integrated Approach. Use the A3 outline sheet to annotate on the features of a river with 1. Free Reign and 2. that has been corseted. Add suitable titles to your work.
Task 2: Evaluate the costs and benefits of alternative stream management strategies (PowerPoint).
Case Study Toulouse - Option 1
Click here for the worksheet to fill in using Toulouse as the case study example (Note: Website is in French and will require a good understanding of the language to complete). Click here to access the website in Toulouse.
**Optional Extra** - Here is the sheet for the IB Toulouse boat trip to see in practice what we have been learning about.
Case Study Colarado USA - Option 2
Turn to page 93-97 in Integrated Approach and use the Colarado basin as your focus to answer the IB style question below.
Case Study Thailand - Option 3
Alternative Study - Floodplain management in Thailand - BBC Article
Exam practice.
With reference to one named area of floodplain, evaluate the costs and benefits of at least three different stream management strategies.
Planning a Decision Making Exercise for Year 11
The Year 11 will be starting their unit on rivers in January 2013. As part of their study, they will complete a Decision Making Exercise on the best way to protect a place from flooding.
Your task. Working in your groups of three (as previous activity), design and produce a short Decision Making Exercise for the Year 11 where they have a section of a river to protect from flooding (you choose the river and country) and they have to choose the best way forward. Step 1 - Study this list of different types of flood protection strategies and note the pros and cons. These will be the options for the decision. Step 2 - Produce a two page resource booklet that the students have to study that gives them the background on the river, settlement, flooding issues etc. An example is here. (big file!) Step 3 - Create three or four scenarios that the students have to choose from, one of which is clearly the best in your expert IB opinion. They will then have a 15 mark response to complete. Here is a real GCSE example from 2012. Print out the resource booklet and the exam paper with one 15 mark question for the students to attempt. Don't make it too complicated as you will be marking it! Step 4 - You should produce a mark scheme with a model GCSE full mark answer. Remember, they can still gain marks on the other 'wrong' responses if they demonstrate good Geography links and skills. |
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Groundwater Management - Case Study Australia
"Groundwater is used by 2 billion people worldwide making it the single most used natural resource" Planet Earth Sciences.
Starter - Under the title and quote above, produce a sketch map of Australia with the extent of the Artesian Basin highlighted on top.
Task 1 - Explain the functioning and management of artesian basins and aquifers, distinguishing between natural and artificial recharge.
Screen Shots of video for worksheet
Videos is embedded above.
Task 2 - Turn to page 8 - Rivers and Water Management - Garrrett Nagle. Read the section entitled Groundwater.
a - Outline what is meant by the phreatic zone and ouline the different layers within.
b - Groundwater accounts for what % of freshwater on earth?
c - Why is some groundwater considered to be a non renewable resource?
d - Outline the key features of an aquifer
e - Outline the key ways in which groundwater can be recharged.
f - Conduct some research to find a case study example of artificial recharge (irrigation, reservoirs etc)
g - How can groundwater be lost?
h - Make a sketch of diagram b on page 10 - Groundwater in Semi Arid regions. This links in to your case study on the Great Artesian Basin in Australia.
Human Uses of the Great Artesian Basin
Starter - Under the title and quote above, produce a sketch map of Australia with the extent of the Artesian Basin highlighted on top.
Task 1 - Explain the functioning and management of artesian basins and aquifers, distinguishing between natural and artificial recharge.
Screen Shots of video for worksheet
Videos is embedded above.
Task 2 - Turn to page 8 - Rivers and Water Management - Garrrett Nagle. Read the section entitled Groundwater.
a - Outline what is meant by the phreatic zone and ouline the different layers within.
b - Groundwater accounts for what % of freshwater on earth?
c - Why is some groundwater considered to be a non renewable resource?
d - Outline the key features of an aquifer
e - Outline the key ways in which groundwater can be recharged.
f - Conduct some research to find a case study example of artificial recharge (irrigation, reservoirs etc)
g - How can groundwater be lost?
h - Make a sketch of diagram b on page 10 - Groundwater in Semi Arid regions. This links in to your case study on the Great Artesian Basin in Australia.
Human Uses of the Great Artesian Basin
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Task 3 - Make some revision notes based on the video to the right. Include details of how water has been traditionally extracted from deep under the surface.
Task 4 - Practical human uses of the GAB. Click the tab below to be taken to a fact sheet detailing several case studies of its uses. Choose one, and summarise the initiative and usage. Task 5 - Read this PDF document (and the text underneath) make notes under the following headings:
1. Importance of the GAB 2. Key issues concerning water extraction. 3. Future sustainable usage. |
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Groundwater Abstraction
Task 1 - Read over the three articles underneath and complete two case studies on the environmental impacts of groundwater abstraction in different global locations. Examine both the causes and effects that this abstraction has on areas and communities that are affected.
Guardian Newspaper Article - Asparagus and Groundwater shortages
Groundwater extraction in Las Vegas
Lake Naivasha - Kenya - PDF - Withering under the pressure of international flower vendors
Task 2 - Africa - The full extent of groundwater supplies.
a. Read the breaking news from April 2012 - Huge Groundwater supply found beneath Africa. BBC news article here & study the graphic underneath (click to enlarge).
a. What implications could this have on health and wellbeing in Sub Saharan Africa? Think of access to freshwater, water bourne diseases, agriculture.
b. Pay particular attention to those areas where there is the highest productivity.
c. Use the CIA World Factbook for key data for those countries.
d. Include a copy of the graphic below in your mini report.
Extra Research - Watch the video beneath and take notes on effects of Groundwater extraction on the environment.
Africa: Further information can be found here.
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Wetland as a Water Resource
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Objective: Describe the role of wetlands as a water resource.
Click here to be taken to an explanation of how wetlands are utilized as a water resource or this resource sheet Task 1 - Create some revision notes outlining the major values and a brief explanation of each. Objective: Evaluate the effectiveness of the management strategies that have been adopted in Florida USA. Task 2 - Using the Google Map below, write an accurate description of the site (actual location) and situation (in relation to what is around it) of the Kissimmee Wetlands. Restoration since 1992
Task 5 - Watch the video to the right (don't worry if you can't understand the old guy at the beginning - he's not too important!) and take notes on the key areas of progress. Task 6 - using the embedded PDF below, outline the major environmental developments since 1992 in the restoration of the Kissimmee River system. Task 7 - Create a table to show the management methods used to return the system back to its original state. |
Task 3 - Watch the (slightly military, fast paced!) video above and take notes.
Click here to access the associated PDF. Task 4 i. Use the hyperlink above to explain the background to the project. ii. What happened to this natural system? iii. Why was the system altered? … in response to what? iv. How was it altered? v. Outline the problems that this caused to the system |
Irrigation & Agriculture
Objective: To examine the environmental impacts of agriculture and irrigation on water quality: salinization, agro-chemical runoff, the pollution of ground water, the eutrophication of lakes, rivers and wetlands.
You will be completing a four part case study looking at the different effects of agriculture and irrigation on water quality.
IST Homework Task for Tuesday 11 December 2012
Each of the parts should take you around 15-20 minutes to complete and there is an exam question at the end to plan and produce.
You will be completing a four part case study looking at the different effects of agriculture and irrigation on water quality.
IST Homework Task for Tuesday 11 December 2012
Each of the parts should take you around 15-20 minutes to complete and there is an exam question at the end to plan and produce.
Part 1 - SalinizationTask 1
Open this link and read the information on Salinization. Summarise how the process happens and how it is linked to irrigation and agriculture. Briefly explain how its effects can be combated. Task 2 Open this link. It explains the problems caused by Salinization in the Adelaide, SA. Read over the document but pay particular attention to ‘The stressed Murray-Darling River system’ and ‘What is water salinity’? Task 3 Create two spider diagrams that show 1. The causes of Salinization in the Murray Darling and 2. The effects •PPM = Parts per million Part 2 - Agro Chemical Runoff
Task 4 - Watch the video to the right hand side.
Make notes under the following headings: •Case study location •How much pesticide is used every year? •What is a pesticide? •Links to agriculture and runoff. •Effects on the environment. •Protection measures. Task 5 - Read this case study from the USA and make notes on the causes and the effects on the location population and environment. Part 3
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Groundwater Contamination
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Part 4 - Eutrophication of Rivers, Lakes & WetlandsTask 8 - Turn
to page 494 of Integrated Approach and Copy Figure 16.50 under the heading at the top of this slide.
Task 9 - Read this Guardian newspaper article and summarise the main causes of eutrophication of freshwater resources. Task 10 - Use your internet reserach skills to find and print out a case study of eutrophication of a freshwater resource. If you are struggling, use this resource to get you started. |
Eutrophication Explanation Video
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Outcome Examination Question
Plan and answer the following IB question:
Using multiple case studies, discuss the extent to which agriculture and irrigation impact upon the quality of water supplies around the world? (15)
Using multiple case studies, discuss the extent to which agriculture and irrigation impact upon the quality of water supplies around the world? (15)
