Drought
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Landscape experiencing drought
A drought is a period of time in which it hasn't rained nor is there water left within the soil. This period is also usually quite hot and lasts for an incredibly long time. Droughts can last just months or years. However no matter how long they last droughts have a major impact on the environment it occurs in. Drought means there is close to no water available. As many know, no living thing can continue to live without the basic essential of water. Animals, plants and humans, if they aren't prepared, simply die during drought periods. Many animals especially die during these dry conditions not only because of the fact there is no water for them but also there is no food as most plants have died due to lack of water also, meaning animals have no way of surviving alone. However, many plants have adapted to drought over time; including many Australian native plants- as Australia is a very drought prone area due to it being located in a subtropical area of the world that produces clear skies and little rain. Australia is also a part of an El Nino weather pattern, when experiencing El Nino weather conditions, Australia becomes drier than normal and the chance of rain decreases.
Some of plants can survive throughout drought periods or are able to recover after droughts by using 4 main strategies that fall into 4 different plant types:
Drought-Resisting Plants- Water is stored in their swollen leaves and stems. All water received by these plants is usually used very sparingly. examples are cacti and Banksia Ericifolia.
Drought-Escaping Plants– These plants dont actually live for longer than a year but they preserve their own seeds which germinate when there is enough moisture for them to complete there life cycle.Annuals which germinate and grow only when there is sufficient moisture available to complete their life cycle. Only their seeds can last during times of drought.
Drought-Evading Plants– Not a plant that stores water in their leaves or stems but can survive for several years, these plants restrict their growth activity to periods when moisture is available. Typically, they shed their leaves, go dormant or die during dry periods and come back when moisture is available. Examples include Brittle bush (or Encelia farinosa) and white bursage.
Drought-Enduring Plants– Have an extensive root systems that have adapted to become xerophytes (plants that dont need much water to survive) so they can maintain growth even in times of extreme water stress such as droughts.
Examples include Brittlebush (or Encelia farinosa) and white bursage.
Animals aren't nearly as fortunate when it comes to strategies to help survive drought. The best animals can do it try to store their own water however this will only qualify for a couple of months at the most. The next thing animals may try to do is flee the area of drought however they dont ussally get too far as when drought happens it happens over a large area.
Drought has many negative impacts on us humans as well. But because we are equiped with dams, water supplies and backup water for if ever a drought does occur,many humans stay alive which is more than can be said for plants and animals, but we do suffer financially, farmers especially. Farmers' crops and produce usually die and they are left with nothing. This means the little produce they do have they will sell for more, meaning every day people are paying more for usual items. Drought is also associated with insect infestations and plant disease. Forest fires increase dramatically during periods of droughts also.
Some of plants can survive throughout drought periods or are able to recover after droughts by using 4 main strategies that fall into 4 different plant types:
Drought-Resisting Plants- Water is stored in their swollen leaves and stems. All water received by these plants is usually used very sparingly. examples are cacti and Banksia Ericifolia.
Drought-Escaping Plants– These plants dont actually live for longer than a year but they preserve their own seeds which germinate when there is enough moisture for them to complete there life cycle.Annuals which germinate and grow only when there is sufficient moisture available to complete their life cycle. Only their seeds can last during times of drought.
Drought-Evading Plants– Not a plant that stores water in their leaves or stems but can survive for several years, these plants restrict their growth activity to periods when moisture is available. Typically, they shed their leaves, go dormant or die during dry periods and come back when moisture is available. Examples include Brittle bush (or Encelia farinosa) and white bursage.
Drought-Enduring Plants– Have an extensive root systems that have adapted to become xerophytes (plants that dont need much water to survive) so they can maintain growth even in times of extreme water stress such as droughts.
Examples include Brittlebush (or Encelia farinosa) and white bursage.
Animals aren't nearly as fortunate when it comes to strategies to help survive drought. The best animals can do it try to store their own water however this will only qualify for a couple of months at the most. The next thing animals may try to do is flee the area of drought however they dont ussally get too far as when drought happens it happens over a large area.
Drought has many negative impacts on us humans as well. But because we are equiped with dams, water supplies and backup water for if ever a drought does occur,many humans stay alive which is more than can be said for plants and animals, but we do suffer financially, farmers especially. Farmers' crops and produce usually die and they are left with nothing. This means the little produce they do have they will sell for more, meaning every day people are paying more for usual items. Drought is also associated with insect infestations and plant disease. Forest fires increase dramatically during periods of droughts also.
Did You Know??
1. As the climate heats up, droughts are expected to become more frequent and severe in some locations.
2. Drought can occur in arid or humid conditions.
3. Most common places in which experience drought include California, Colorado, Georgia, and New York, as well as in Brazil, Southeast Asia, Southern Africa, and Australia.
4. One drought in 1988 exceeded 40 billion dollars.
5. In the Horn of Africa the 1984–1985 drought led to a famine which killed 750,000 people.
6. Since approximately 1970, the percentage of Earth's land area stricken by serious drought has more than doubled. It is believed global warming is largely blamed.
7. The number of areas drought-declared by the Commonwealth has increased from 36 in May 2003 to 56 at the end of March 2004 and has only increased since then.
8. Droughts are often accompanied by high temperatures, which increase water loss through evaporation.
9. Australia is the second driest continent in the world (after Antarctica).
10. In the UK an absolute drought is defined as a period of at least 15 consecutive days on none of which is there more than 0.2 mm of rainfall
2. Drought can occur in arid or humid conditions.
3. Most common places in which experience drought include California, Colorado, Georgia, and New York, as well as in Brazil, Southeast Asia, Southern Africa, and Australia.
4. One drought in 1988 exceeded 40 billion dollars.
5. In the Horn of Africa the 1984–1985 drought led to a famine which killed 750,000 people.
6. Since approximately 1970, the percentage of Earth's land area stricken by serious drought has more than doubled. It is believed global warming is largely blamed.
7. The number of areas drought-declared by the Commonwealth has increased from 36 in May 2003 to 56 at the end of March 2004 and has only increased since then.
8. Droughts are often accompanied by high temperatures, which increase water loss through evaporation.
9. Australia is the second driest continent in the world (after Antarctica).
10. In the UK an absolute drought is defined as a period of at least 15 consecutive days on none of which is there more than 0.2 mm of rainfall