WJEC (B) GCSE Geography

Theme 2 Topic 5

Click to continue

Hodder Education Revision Lessons

Interdependence

WJEC (B) GCSE Geography

Theme 2 Topic 5

The activities of people in different countries can lead to flooding in other countries.

For example, deforestation in Nepal has led to flooding in Bangladesh.

Task: Describe and explain how flooding can be caused by the actions of people outside the flooded area (i.e. people living in a different country).

Click to continue

Interdependence

WJEC (B) GCSE Geography

Theme 2 Topic 5

Click to continue

• People could deforest, e.g. in Nepal, so there are fewer stores and increased surface runoff, so it floods in Bangladesh.• People could build cities/tarmac so there is less infiltration and more surface runoff like in India, which has led to flooding in Bangladesh.• People produce carbon dioxide from cars and power stations so there is increased climate change, which can cause snowmelt in the Himalayas which leads to flooding in Bangladesh.• People could deforest or increase soil erosion so the channel becomes full of soil and reduces the channel capacity like in Nepal/Bhutan so it floods in Bangladesh.

Interdependence

WJEC (B) GCSE Geography

Theme 2 Topic 5

Countries can provide support when another country is affected by flooding.

This is especially important if more than one country shares a river.

Task: Use an atlas to find examples of rivers that are located in more than one country.

Click to continue

International cooperation

WJEC (B) GCSE Geography

Theme 2 Topic 5

Click to continue

• The River Nile (ten countries): Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Uganda and United Republic of Tanzania

• The Limpopo River (four countries): Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe

• The River Mekong (six countries): Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand and Vietnam

International cooperation

WJEC (B) GCSE Geography

Theme 2 Topic 5

Rivers located in more than one country

The River Nile: Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Uganda and United Republic of Tanzania.

The Limpopo River: Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

The River Mekong: Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand and Vietnam.

Task: Use the internet to find examples of conflict on these rivers and what is being done to try to manage the water effectively. Click to

continue

River management

WJEC (B) GCSE Geography

Theme 2 Topic 5

Click to continue

• Cambodia relies on the River Mekong for water supply and food.

• In October 2011, Cambodia flooded, killing 247 people, forcing the evacuation of more than 34,000 households and destroying some 200,000 ha of rice fields.

• China has built several dams on the River Mekong. These provide China with hydroelectric power and should control flooding in Cambodia and Vietnam.Source: National Committee for Disaster Management

River management

WJEC (B) GCSE Geography

Theme 2 Topic 5

A Major dam projects built or under construction on the River Mekong (the area of map B is shown by the box)

B Flooding in Cambodia and Vietnam on the Mekong in 2004

Task: Explain four advantages

and four disadvantages of building dams.

Click to continue

River management

WJEC (B) GCSE Geography

Theme 2 Topic 5

Advantages of building dams

• Provide HEP, so there is more and cheaper power for industry and homes.

• Reduce flooding because it controls the amount of water in the river

• Provide a store of water, so people have access to safe water especially during times of water shortage

• Create jobs building and managing the dam, so incomes go up and economy grows.

Disadvantages of building dams

• Farmland is lost, so farmers are displaced or lose their income.

• People are displaced because homes are flooded when building dams.

• Water levels drop in the rest of the river and there is more deposition, so sand banks appear and make navigation by boats difficult.

• Could be conflict between countries because the country controlling the dam could choose not to release water at times of water shortage.

River management

Click to continue