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Name: RHEANNIE T. CABEL Subject: CE09 HYDROLOGY

Course & Section: BSCE 3-B Date Assigned: 26 JANUARY 2024

ACTIVITY NO. 1
Human Impact on the Hydrologic Cycle: A Comprehensive Review and Assessment

Abstract
The Hydrologic cycle, also known as the Water cycle, is a vital natural process that regulates the
distribution and circulation of water through the Earth's atmosphere, land, and oceans. This
phenomenon sustains life and shapes our planet's diverse ecosystems. However, this delicate balance
is increasingly under pressure from human activities. Thus, this paper reviews the diverse ways in
which human influences are disrupting the hydrologic cycle, exploring the consequences for water
resources, ecosystems, and climate. It also examines how land-use changes, water extraction, and
greenhouse gas emissions are altering precipitation patterns, runoff dynamics, groundwater depletion,
and the delicate interplay between land and sea. Therefore, by analyzing case studies and scientific
evidence, we assess the severity of these impacts on regional and global scales. Finally, we discuss
potential mitigation strategies and adaptation measures to navigate the challenges posed by our
evolving relationship with the hydrologic cycle.

Introduction
The hydrologic cycle encompasses the continuous movement of water through various phases by
evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and runoff. This cycle then distributes freshwater across the
planet, shaping landscapes, nourishing ecosystems, and supporting human civilizations, such as
urbanization, agriculture, and industrialization. However, the Anthropocene, characterized by
unprecedented human activity, is fundamentally altering this vital cycle. Our actions are disrupting the
delicate balance of water, influencing its quantity, quality, and distribution in ways that raise concerns
about future sustainability.

Land-Use Changes and Altered Precipitation

Deforestation, urbanization, and intensive agriculture drastically modify land cover and soil properties.
These changes disrupt evapotranspiration rates, altering atmospheric moisture content and influencing
precipitation patterns. Studies have shown that deforestation can lead to reduced rainfall downwind,
while urbanization often intensifies localized thunderstorms and flash floods. Findings also show the
correlation between deforestation rates and changes in precipitation patterns in various regions as it is
observed in the Amazon rainforest that deforestation has led to a 20% decrease in local
rainfall, impacting surrounding ecosystems and agriculture (Science, 2012). It is because forests act as
vital sponges, soaking up moisture and releasing it gradually into the atmosphere. However, the
relentless march of deforestation, as evidenced by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)'s
estimate of a 7% global precipitation drop between 1998 and 2017 (UN-Water, 2021), disrupts this
natural process. Satellite imagery from NASA even paints a stark picture, with deforestation hotspots
coinciding with altered rainfall patterns, raising concerns about future water security in these regions.
Moreover, soil compaction in agricultural landscapes inhibits infiltration, leading to increased surface
runoff, leading to more frequent and severe floods and as well as diminished groundwater recharge.
 Water Extraction and Resource Stress
Growing populations and economic activity have escalated water demand for domestic, agricultural,
and industrial purposes. Imagine 4 billion people facing water scarcity, a chilling figure projected to rise
to 5.7 billion by 2050, according to the World Resources Institute (WRI) Aqueduct tool
(WRI, 2023). This is not just a distant statistic; it translates to parched landscapes, failed harvests, and
communities battling for every drop. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) maps reveal
this stark reality of groundwater depletion, with vast swathes of the world teetering on the brink of
freshwater crisis. Moreover, this overextraction from surface and groundwater sources indeed disrupts
natural flow patterns, causing rivers to dwindle, wetlands to shrink, and ecosystems to suffer. Excessive
water extraction for irrigation can also deplete aquifers. In coastal regions, excessive groundwater
pumping can lead to saltwater intrusion, contaminating freshwater supplies. The Aral Sea, once the
fourth-largest lake in the world, for example, stands as a stark reminder of the devastating
consequences of unsustainable water management as the map shows the Aral Sea shrinkage over
time and its impact on surrounding land, displacing communities, and creating environmental hazards
caused by unsustainable water extraction for irrigation (Science Advances 2018).

Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Climate Change

The burning of fossil fuels and other anthropogenic activities release greenhouse gases like carbon
dioxide, trapping heat in the atmosphere and raising global temperatures. This warming alters the
hydrologic cycle, intensifying evaporation, altering precipitation patterns, and increasing the frequency
and intensity of extreme weather events. However, this increase is unevenly distributed, leading to
more frequent and severe droughts in some regions while intensifying floods in others. The
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report projects a global mean
temperature increase of 1.5°C to 2°C above pre-industrial levels by 2050, leading to intensified flooding
and droughts (IPCC, 2021). The delicate balance of the hydrologic cycle then hangs precariously in the
face of such drastic changes. Moreover, Climate change accelerates glacial melt and polar ice cap
retreat, causing sea levels to rise and further impacting coastal ecosystems and human settlements.
Melting glaciers in the Himalayas, for example, are threatening water security for millions in South Asia
(Nature Climate Change, 2022).

Case Studies and Regional Impacts

The effects of human impact on the hydrologic cycle are evident in numerous case studies around the
world. The Colorado River Basin, a lifeline for millions in the American Southwest, stands as a stark
example. U.S. Bureau of Reclamation data projects a 20-30% water shortage by 2025, a grim reality
for farmers, cities, and ecosystems alike. Similarly, the International Water Management Institute
paints a tragic picture of the shrinking Aral Sea, a testament to the devastating consequences of
unsustainable water management practices. In India, groundwater depletion from intensive agriculture
has left millions struggling with inadequate water supplies. Meanwhile, rising sea levels threaten low-
lying island nations and coastal communities worldwide. These examples highlight the urgency of
understanding and addressing the diverse regional impacts of human-induced hydrological changes.

Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies

Addressing the challenges posed by human impact on the hydrologic cycle requires a multifaceted
approach. Implementing sustainable land-use practices like reforestation and soil conservation can
help restore natural hydrological processes. Improving water management practices, including efficient
irrigation techniques and reduced water consumption, can lessen our reliance on freshwater resources.
Additionally, transitioning to renewable energy sources and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions are
crucial to combat climate change and its associated hydrological disruptions. Investing in research and
development of water-saving technologies, early warning systems for extreme weather events, and
climate-resilient infrastructure is also essential for adapting to the changing water landscape.

Conclusion

The intricate tapestry of the hydrologic cycle is unraveling under the pressures of human activity. Our
impact on freshwater resources, precipitation patterns, and natural flow regimes poses significant
challenges for water security, quality, ecosystem health, and human well-being or resilience. By
understanding the diverse ways in which we are altering the hydrologic cycle, we can develop and
implement effective mitigation and adaptation strategies, a holistic approach that integrates scientific
research, policy development, and community engagement. Transitioning towards sustainable water
management practices, embracing renewable energy solutions, and adapting to a changing climate are
crucial steps in ensuring a water-secure future for generations to come. Only through collective action
and informed decision-making can we restore the delicate balance of the hydrologic cycle and
safeguard the life-sustaining resource that is water.

References

FAO. (2020). Global Forest Resources Assessment 2020: Main report. Rome.
https://doi.org/10.4060/ca9825en

Grafton, R. Q., et al. (2015). Building resilience for hydroclimatic change in the Colorado River Basin.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 112(49), 14567-14572.

Pritchard, H.D. (n.d.) Asia’s shrinking glaciers protect large populations from drought stress. Nature.
Published online May 29, 2019. doi:10.1038/s41586-019-1240-1.

Kuzma, S., et al (2023). 25 Countries, Housing One-quarter of the Population, Face Extremely High-
Water Stress. World Resources Institute. https://www.wri.org/insights/highest-water-stressed-
countries

Leite-Filho, A.T., Soares-Filho, B.S., Davis, J.L. et al. (2021). Deforestation reduces rainfall and
agricultural revenues in the Brazilian Amazon. Nat Commun 12, 2591.
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-22840-7

Micklin, P. (2018). The Aral Sea disaster. Science Advances, 4(2), eaao3304.

Nobre, P., et al. (2012). Long-term drought in the Amazon: A consequence of deforestation? Science,
336(6080), 1634-1638.

Scanlon, B. R., et al. (2012). Global threats to human water security and river biodiversity. Nature,
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Shah, T., et al. (2022). The Himalayan glacier meltdown: Implications for water security and climate
change. Nature Climate Change, 12(10), 907-914.