How physical processes influence drainage basin systems and landforms
The drainage basin as an open system with inputs (precipitation of varying type and intensity), outputs (evaporation and transpiration), flows (infiltration, throughflow, overland flow and base flow) and stores (including vegetation, soil, aquifers and the cryosphere)
River discharge and its relationship to stream flow, channel characteristics and hydraulic radius
River processes of erosion, transportation and deposition and spatial and temporal factors influencing their operation, including channel characteristics and seasonality
The formation of typical river landforms, including waterfalls, floodplains, meanders, levees and deltas
How physical and human factors exacerbate and mitigate flood risk for different places
Hydrograph characteristics (lag time, peak discharge, base flow) and natural influences on hydrographs, including geology and seasonality
How urbanization, deforestation and channel modifications affect flood risk within a drainage basin, including its distribution, frequency and magnitude
Attempts at flood prediction, including changes in weather forecasting and uncertainty in climate modelling
Flood mitigation, including structural measures (dams, afforestation, channel modification and levee strengthening) and planning (personal insurance and flood preparation, and flood warning technology)
• Two contrasting detailed examples of flood mitigation of drainage basins
The varying power of different actors in relatino to water management issues
Physical and economic water scarcity, and the factors that control these including the causes and impacts of droughts; the distinction between water quantity and water quality
Environmental consequences of agricultural activities on water quality, to include pollution (eutrophication) and irrigation (salinization)
• Detailed examples to illustrate the role of different stakeholders
Growing human pressures on lakes and aquifers, including economic growth and population migration
Internationally shared water resources as a source of conflict
• Case study of one internationally shared water resource and the role of different stakeholders in attempting to find a resolution
Future possibilities for management intervention in drainage basins
The importance of strengthening participation of local communities to improve water management in different economic development contexts, including sustainable water use and efficiency, and ensuring access to clean safe and affordable water
Increased dam building for multipurpose water schemes, and their costs and benefits
• Case study of contemporary dam building expansion in one major drainage basin
The growing importance of integrated drainage basin management (IDBM) plans, and the costs and benefits they bring
• Case study of one recent IDBM plan
Growing pressures on major wetlands and efforts to protect them, such as the Ramsar Convention
• Case study of the future possibilities for one wetland area
Synthesis (Sy), Evaluation (Ev) and Skills (Sk) opportunities
These suggestions aim to synthesize the learning throughout the unit.
How natural processes or human interference in one part of a drainage basin may bring spatial interactions with other parts/places [Sy]
How water management actions take place at personal to global scales [Sy/Ev]
Different perspectives on the costs and benefits of water management strategies [Ev]
How water cycling and water system flows can be represented graphically [Sk]