Drought © Karen Devine 2010 Droughts Drought is a natural hazard which is prevalent in Australia....

DroughtDrought

© Karen Devine 2010

DroughtsDroughts

DroughtDrought is a natural hazard is a natural hazard which is prevalent in which is prevalent in Australia.Australia.

Drought is an extended Drought is an extended period with below average period with below average rainfall.rainfall.

The weather is continuously The weather is continuously dry during droughts and there dry during droughts and there is insufficient water for is insufficient water for household needs.household needs.


DroughtsDroughts

Droughts generally do Droughts generally do not affect the whole of not affect the whole of Australia, but sections of Australia, but sections of the continent.the continent.

Droughts occur on Droughts occur on average in 18 year average in 18 year cycles.cycles.

Droughts can either be:Droughts can either be:

a)a) short and intenseshort and intense

b)b) prolonged.prolonged.


DroughtsDroughts

Droughts are generally Droughts are generally caused by seasonal changes caused by seasonal changes in air pressure between South in air pressure between South East Asia and Australia.East Asia and Australia.

The The Southern Oscillation Southern Oscillation IndexIndex (SOI) measures these (SOI) measures these air pressure changes which air pressure changes which either indicate a normal either indicate a normal pressure patters or an pressure patters or an El El Nino Effect.Nino Effect.


DroughtsDroughts

A normal weather A normal weather patterns shows that the patterns shows that the sea level air pressure in sea level air pressure in the South Pacific the South Pacific should be higher than should be higher than the sea level air the sea level air pressure in Australia.pressure in Australia.The El Nino Effect is The El Nino Effect is the main cause of the main cause of drought in Australia.drought in Australia.


DroughtsDroughts

El Nino is caused by El Nino is caused by patterns of cold patterns of cold ocean currents and a ocean currents and a reversal of air reversal of air pressure causing the pressure causing the development of high development of high pressure systems in pressure systems in Australia.Australia.


DroughtsDroughts

There can be 3 There can be 3 main types of main types of impacts of drought:impacts of drought:

a)a) Economic impactsEconomic impacts

b)b) Environmental Environmental impactsimpacts

c)c) Social impacts.Social impacts.


DroughtsDroughts

Droughts can Droughts can impact on:impact on:

a)a) agriculture yieldsagriculture yields

b)b) floraflora

c)c) faunafauna

d)d) water consumers.water consumers.


Pause PointPause Point

Play film of droughtPlay film of drought..


Individual ResponsibilityIndividual Responsibility

Recycle water in the homeInstall rainwater tanksFollow water restriction guidelinesInstall low flow showerheadsInstall dual flush toiletsPlant drought tolerant vegetationDo not overstock farms or ranches


Group ResponsibilityGroup Responsibility

Follow water restrictions in workplace

Recycle water in businesses

Install rainwater tanks

Water businesses should promote water saving technology


Governmental ResponsibilityGovernmental Responsibility

Promote water recyclingImpose water restrictionsConsider water saving infrastructureUse the tax system to encourage water savingImprove water storage infrastructureFunds for farmers during droughtsEducation for drought survival.


Drought © Karen Devine 2010 Droughts Drought is a natural hazard which is prevalent in Australia....

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