Water is an essential part of everyone’s lives but global warming and climate change are having an adverse effect on it. The water reaches everyone on the earth through the water cycle. But this water cycle is getting disturbed due to these environmental changes. The situation is becoming so grave that the planet is seeing some bad effects of water cycle on living things. The water cycle plays a huge role in the survival of all the species on the earth and it is high time that we start to realize the importance of water cycle. This article is going to talk about the water cycle and the role it plays in everyone’s lives.
1. What is the Importance of Water Cycle?
Have you ever realized the importance of water cycle? The water cycle is an important process and through this cycle, water naturally recycles itself. Through the water cycle, water reaches every living organism on the earth. Without the water cycle, the earth would run out of clean water. It moves things like minerals, nutrients, sediments, and pathogens in and out of aquatic ecosystems. (See What is the Purest Form of Water?)
2. What are Bad Effects of Water Cycle on Living Things?
Some of the bad effects of water cycle on living things are:
- The water cycle leads to an increased risk of flooding.
- With the water cycle, the rate of erosion on stream and riverbanks become high.
- Water temperatures in streams and lakes are increased.
- The risk of drought has also increased and is one of the major bad effects of water cycle on living things.
3. What Natural Disasters are Caused By the Water Cycle?
Some of the natural disasters that are caused by the water cycle are:
- Storms: Storms will occur as a result of increased evaporation.
- Droughts: Due to evaporation, droughts are a common occurrence.
- Floods: Floods can happen due to excessive evaporation and then water getting released in the form of heavy rains causing floods.
- Flash floods: Chances of flash floods will also increase due to excessive rains caused by the water cycle.
- Mudslides: Mudslides can happen due to excessive rains.
- Landslides: Landslides are a common occurrence after heavy rains or droughts.
4. What are Three Things that affect the Water Cycle?
The three things that affect the water cycle are:
- Climate change: Climate change can alter the processes involved in the water cycle. It has an adverse effect on the water cycle, disturbing the normal pace.
- Deforestation: Deforestation can affect the temperature and climate. And with the change in climate and weather of the region, the water cycle can get disturbed.
- Water pollution: Water pollution will change the normal state of water which will affect the quality. With the change in the natural state of water, the processes involved in the water cycle will get affected.
5. What is the Water Cycle Most Affected by?
The water cycle is most affected by climate change. It is causing more disasters than ever before. Changes in temperature disturb the pace of the water cycle. Due to climate change, extreme weather events are taking place leading to extreme weather events. This is causing higher evaporation and precipitation. Increased transpiration is also happening due to climate change. When the water cycle is disturbed, excessive floods and droughts can happen. Because of climate change, the water cycle is intensified leading to these untoward events. (See What is the Temperature of Water at Room Temperature?)
6. What are Some Negative Human Impacts on the Water Cycle?
Some negative human impacts on the water cycle are deforestation, climate change, construction of dams, irrigation, mining, and animal husbandry. These activities are promoting disturbance in the water cycle and change its natural course.
7. How Human Activities are Disturbing Water Cycle?
Human activities are causing huge damage to the environment because they alter normal functioning. The water cycle is also getting disturbed day by day leading to extreme events. Apart from discussing the bad effects of water cycle on living things, here are some of the human activities due to which the water cycle is severely affected.
- Building dams: Dams are built on rivers and for this purpose, the flowing of the river has to be changed. This affects the flora and fauna of that region. Sometimes, mismanaged dams can lead to droughts, which affects the water cycle.
- Irrigation: Irrigation is an important and useful part of farming. But what you do not know is that, when the water is removed from its natural source, it causes leaching and run-off in place of use. The use of fertilizers often pollutes the water body.
- Climate change: Climate change and its consequences are something that we all are aware of. No one is spared from it including the water cycle. The normal pace of the water cycle is affected which, in turn, disturbs the whole cycle leading to extreme events.
- Deforestation: Deforestation is a major reason for the disturbance of the water cycle. The weather is severely affected due to which the water cycle is disturbed.
8. How do Humans Affect the Water Quality?
Besides wondering about the bad effects of water cycle on living things, note that human activities are severely affecting water quality. Both ground and surface water are being affected which is causing a scarcity of clean water. Humans affect water quality through activities such as deforestation, irrigation, aquaculture, industrial water pollution, mining, animal husbandry, and the use of pesticides. These activities change the natural state of water and lead to poor water quality. Must read How can Reduced Precipitation lead to Limited Water?
9. Can you Live Without Water Cycle?
No, you cannot live without water cycle. This is the only way through which water reaches every living organism on the planet and all the organisms, from the tiniest to the largest, of us need water to survive. The water cycle makes freshwater reach every part of the planet and enriches all lives. Without water, life is simply not possible on earth. The water cycle also regulates weather patterns on the earth that make the earth a livable planet.
10. What Would Happen if the Water Cycle Stopped?
If the water cycle stopped, then you would not get fresh water to carry out daily activities. All the plants and animals will die because of the scarcity of fresh water. The weather patterns will change severely and will become worse, disturbing the lives of all the organisms on the planet. The earth will lose all its water sources if the water cycle stops and the water will get locked in oceans and seas because there will be no evaporation or condensation. Life would not be possible on the planet if the water cycle is stopped. (Also read How do the Hydrosphere and Biosphere Interact with Each Other?)
