Impacts of drought

• Key terms

  • ecosystem functioning= bio chem and physical processes in ecosystem
  • ecosystem resilience= capability of ecosystem to survive changing water levels
  • deserts and semi arid areas=most resilient to drought
• rainforest

  • prolonged periods of drought= forest stress
  • younger trees die= reduces canopy cover
  • reduction of canopy cover= less interception and infiltration and decreases evapotranspiration= water vapour and rainfall also decreases
• forests

  • if exposed to tropical sunlight w/ dead vegetation and dry organic material= set alight easily
  • lighting storms and high winds can make small fire big
  • croatia suffered from 2 1/2 moths of no rain->drought->wildfires
• wetlands

  • drought increases likelihood of tree mortality
  • decrease in veg reduces habitat for both wild or farm animals
  • birds and wetland veg respond to drought diff by impacting food chain
  • increases wild fire