Global Water Science Research & Exploration Spring 2010.

Global WaterGlobal Water

Science Research & ExplorationScience Research & ExplorationSpring 2010Spring 2010

Global Climate ZonesGlobal Climate Zones

Population densityPopulation density

http://earthtrends.wri.org/text/population-health/map-192.htmlWRI, 2000 based on CIESIN 2000

Water Scarcity IndexWater Scarcity Index

http://maps.grida.no/go/graphic/water-scarcity-indexPhilippe Rekacewicz (Le Monde diplomatique), February 2006

Water Trivia! Water Trivia! Where is the wettest place on earth?Where is the wettest place on earth?

a) Mt. Waialeale, Hawaii b) Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania a) Mt. Waialeale, Hawaii b) Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania c) Amazon Forest, Brazil c) Amazon Forest, Brazil

Where is the driest Place on Earth? Where is the driest Place on Earth? a) Death Valley, California b) Atacama Desert, Chile a) Death Valley, California b) Atacama Desert, Chile c) Sahara Desert, Africac) Sahara Desert, Africa

How much rain does Los Angeles normally get every year?How much rain does Los Angeles normally get every year? a) 50 inches b) 25 inches c) 15 inchesa) 50 inches b) 25 inches c) 15 inches

How much water does the average person in Los Angeles How much water does the average person in Los Angeles use each day?use each day?

a)a) 150 gallons b) 500 gallons c) 40 gallons150 gallons b) 500 gallons c) 40 gallons

How much water does a person normally use for a 5 How much water does a person normally use for a 5 minute shower? minute shower?

a) 35 gallons b) 100 gallonsa) 35 gallons b) 100 gallons c) 5 gallonsc) 5 gallons

Which group uses the most water in the western U.S.? Which group uses the most water in the western U.S.? a) Urban Cities b) Industry c) Agriculturea) Urban Cities b) Industry c) Agriculture

What is a watershed?

A watershed is the land area where water collects and drains through a single outlet.

It can drain onto a lower level property or into a river, ocean or other body of water.

Drainage Outlet

Watershed Boundary

Definition?

Functions of watershedsFunctions of watersheds

Water

Sediments, soils

Dissolved minerals, metals, nutrients

Biological material

Collect

Transport

Process and store

Watersheds have inputs and Watersheds have inputs and outputsoutputs

Inputs = water coming into the systemInputs = water coming into the system

Outputs = water leaving the systemOutputs = water leaving the system

What are some of the inputs?What are some of the inputs?

What are some of the outputs?What are some of the outputs?

Inputs – Outputs = Change in StorageInputs – Outputs = Change in Storage

(think bank account, without interest!!)(think bank account, without interest!!)

Los Angeles Region Los Angeles Region WatershedsWatersheds

Ballona WS

130 sq. miles

Land use:64% residential 8% commercial 4% industrial17% open space

BallonaWatershed

Which type of watershed are we in?

Where do you expect to see more pollution?

Effects of UrbanizationEffects of Urbanization

Water budgets helps us evaluate sensitivity to change!