NAME & SURNAME: BILLY GADEBE GRADE & CLASS:11A EDUCATOR’S NAME: LEPHOTHE SUBJECT: GEOGRAPHY RESEARCH: THE IMPACT OF DROUGHT IN SOUTH AFRICA INDEX 1 INTRODUCTION 2 DISCUSSIONS 3 TOPICS 4 SUB-TOPICS 5 PAGE NUMBERS 6 BIBLIOGRAPHIES MAPPING MAP OF SOUTH AFRICA Climate graphs show average rainfall and temperatures experienced in a particular location. The temperature is shown on a line graph, and rainfall on a bar graph. They are usually represented on the same set of axes with the months of the year along the base INTRODUCTION Meteorological drought is when dry weather patterns dominate an area Hydrological drought is when low water supply becomes evident in the water supply becomes evident in the water system Agricultural drought is when crops become affected of various commodities is affected by drought Ecological drought is when natural ecosystems are affected by drought DISCUSSION Agriculture: Drought can reduce the water availability and quality necessary for productive farms, ranches, and grazing lands. It can also contribute to insect outbreaks, increases in wildfire and altered rates of carbon, nutrients, and water cycling-impacting agricultural production and critical ecosystem services. Transportation: Drought impacts port and waterway transportation and supply chains, resulting in increased transportation cost. Higher temperatures that coexist with drought can impact roads, airport runways, and rail lines. Wildfire: Drought can be a contributing factor to wildfire. Dry, not, and windy weather combined with dried out [and more flammable] vegetation can increase the probability of large-scale wildfires Public health: Drought can cause significant human health outcomes, including decrease water quality and disease [e.g., valley fever], adverse mental health outcomes as livelihoods are challenged and overfall, increased mortality rates Ecosystems: Drought can alter or degrade critical functions of healthy ecosystems, including reduction or extinction of local species, and landscape level transition [e.g., a forest being replaced by a grassland. Water quality: During drought, decreased water levels, warmer temperatures, and soil runoff can lead to algal growth. Lower dissolved oxygen levels, and increased turbidity, posting health risks for human and aquatic life. Conclusion/Summary: - South Africa and region in effect is impact negatively upon by the less than world average rainfall it receives. - Recent drought that devastated most parts of the country has highlighted the need for a more elaborate facility that can be applied to consistently guide management of water supply and mitigation against risks due to drought. - As the water and sanitation sector, we need to look at new ways of providing the services that we are responsible for. Bibliography Bulletin of the American. (2017). Defining Ecological Drought for the Twenty-First Century. Meteorological Society. Unfamiliar Territory. (2020). Emerging Themes for Ecological Druoght Research and Manangement. One Earth.
