Drought (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Environmental Management): Flashcards
Exam code: 0680
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Define drought.
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Cards in this collection (20)
Define drought.
A drought is a period of dry weather that is longer or more severe than normal for a particular region.
True or False?
A drought means a period with no rain at all.
False.
A drought means water levels have fallen below what people, crops and ecosystems need, not simply that no rain falls.
Which two water stores does drought affect?
Drought affects surface water, such as rivers and lakes, and groundwater in aquifers.
Compared with cyclones or floods, a drought develops .
Compared with cyclones or floods, a drought develops slowly.
How do high-pressure systems cause drought?
High-pressure systems block clouds and prevent rainfall.
How do higher global temperatures make droughts worse?
Higher temperatures increase evaporation from soil, plants and water bodies, so moisture is lost faster than rain can replace it.
True or False?
Climate change makes rainfall more reliable.
False.
Climate change brings more extreme weather, so rainfall becomes unreliable, with floods one year and long dry spells the next.
How do warmer oceans contribute to drought?
Warmer oceans disrupt wind patterns and monsoons, which can move rain-bearing winds away and reduce rainfall.
During a drought, groundwater levels fall because aquifers are not being .
During a drought, groundwater levels fall because aquifers are not being recharged.
Which type of power station may stop working during a drought?
Hydroelectric power stations may stop working during a drought.
Why does drought lead to soil erosion?
Without vegetation, dry soil is not anchored, so wind blows it away and sudden rainstorms wash away topsoil.
Define desertification.
Desertification is the process by which long-term drought turns fertile land into desert-like conditions.
Which human activities speed up desertification?
Overgrazing and deforestation speed up desertification.
True or False?
Wildfire risk falls during a drought.
False.
Wildfire risk rises because dry vegetation becomes highly flammable.
Why can drought cause famine?
Crop failure and livestock losses reduce the food supply, and food prices rise so vulnerable communities cannot afford food.
In a drought, grass and fodder run short, so livestock weaken and die from heat stress or .
In a drought, grass and fodder run short, so livestock weaken and die from heat stress or dehydration.
Why does drought reduce air quality?
Drought makes dust storms more frequent and fills the air with smoke from wildfires.
Why does drought increase government spending?
Governments must spend money on food aid and water supplies during a drought.
True or False?
The health impacts of a drought end as soon as rain returns.
False.
Drought can leave long-term health challenges, such as malnutrition and mental health impacts, even after rainfall returns.
How can a long drought affect food chains?
A long drought kills plants, fish and wildlife, so whole food chains can collapse and biodiversity falls.
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