The Impact Of Irrigation On Climate
Climates are affected by irrigation because irrigation systems redirect water from rivers, lakes and that has a direct impact on the surrounding environment. Some of these impacts can include: escalation of groundwater level in irrigated areas, decreased water flow of sourced rivers and streams, and increased evaporation in irrigated areas. Increased evaporation in irrigated areas can cause instability in the atmosphere, as well as increase levels of rainfall downwind of the irrigation. These changes to the climate are a direct result of changes to natural moisture levels in the surrounding atmosphere. Four of the main ways that biomes (climates) are affected by irrigation is that there is moisture distribution problem, salinity hazards (which is the concentration of dissolved salts in water), sensitivity to clogging, high cost compared to furrow.
Another problem of these drip irrigation systems is that for the instalment of them the person installing them needs to have high skill to install and operate them properly, so it promotes legitimate growth for the plants. Irrigation systems also have an indirect impact on the surrounding environment. These indirect effects may not be as immediately noticeable as the direct issues. These effects can take longer time to develop and produce longer-lasting changes. Irrigation can result in the following indirect impacts. Waterlogging, waterlogging occurs when the soil becomes oversaturated with water, promoting anaerobic conditions. With anaerobiosis, plant roots become unhealthy due to a number of chemical reactions, including a reduction in soil iron and manganese oxides.
Soil Salinization is another indirect impact on the environment. Soil salinization happens when the salt content in soil increases above normal, naturally occurring levels. Irrigation draws a significant amount of water from an area, moving it to agricultural or landscaped lands. The area that has lost a significant amount of water is often left with concentrated salt levels in the decreased water levels left behind. High salt levels make it difficult for plants to absorb the necessary amount of water and nutrients from the soil.
Another example of indirect impact is the Socioeconomic Damage. Reduced water flow can also have other less obvious effects on socioeconomic health. Specifically, irrigation may lead to decreased fishing and shipping opportunities. One example of reduced fishing opportunities can be seen in Pakistan within the Indus River. Here, water has been over extracted for agricultural purposes. This has threatened the local fish populations which causes an imbalance in the natural food chain.
Over extraction of water in the Indus River also affects local human populations, who rely on fishing as a source of dietary protein and economic activity. Shipping opportunities are also affected as large ships and other water transportation vehicles are left with insufficient water to appropriately navigate, reducing trade and economic activity in certain areas.
