4.1 Introduction to Water Systems

Significant Ideas:

• The hydrological cycle is a system of water flows and storages that may be disrupted by human activity.

• The ocean circulatory system (ocean conveyor belt) influences the climate and global distribution of water (matter and energy).

Applications & Skills:

• Evaluate the strategies that can be used to meet an increasing demand for fresh water.

• Discuss, with reference to a case study, how shared freshwater resources have given rise to international conflict.