water transfer
Task 1
Describe the distribution of precipitation in China and explain how this could lead to conflict.
Precipitation is mostly below 50mm between 1961 - 1990 in the North West inland whereas in the North East precipitation is more varied with precipitation between 500 - 600mm and 600 - 800mm. In the South, they have more rainfall between 800 - 2,000mm of precipitation - this could cause conflict between North and South as the North West has limited supply but the South has more rainfall so there could be some conflict caused between these areas with the North needing water for agriculture, basic living as a natural resource amongst other things.
Task 2
find out where China's major industrial centres are and compare this with the available precipitation.
List the other key water users in China and rank them in order of the amount of water they use
China's major industrial centres are in Central, South and North Eastern areas of the country eg Peking, Pao-l'eu and Kui-Chou.Where these industrial centres are located, there is good supply of water because of relatively high precipitation levels.
Other key water users include: (ranked highest to lowest in order of the amount of ewater they use)
Task 3
Compare the Population Density of China map with the Precipitation map above.Discuss the causes and impacts of this.
Population density tends to be in the East of China with cities like Shanghai and Wuhan being within this area - in this densely populated area, precipitation between 1961 - 1990 tends to be between 600 - 800mm of rainfall and in the south of the densely populated area its been between 800 - 1,000mm of precipitation.
The cities may have been set up in this plentiful area of precipitation so that water supplies are more accessible rather than the west where precipitation is below 50mm of precipitation - consequently, population density in this area is between 0 - 24 persons per square mile approximately.
This impacts positively on this area meaning that rain water can be collected for the people of China in this densely populated area and less needs to be collected elsewhere.
Describe the distribution of precipitation in China and explain how this could lead to conflict.
Precipitation is mostly below 50mm between 1961 - 1990 in the North West inland whereas in the North East precipitation is more varied with precipitation between 500 - 600mm and 600 - 800mm. In the South, they have more rainfall between 800 - 2,000mm of precipitation - this could cause conflict between North and South as the North West has limited supply but the South has more rainfall so there could be some conflict caused between these areas with the North needing water for agriculture, basic living as a natural resource amongst other things.
Task 2
find out where China's major industrial centres are and compare this with the available precipitation.
List the other key water users in China and rank them in order of the amount of water they use
China's major industrial centres are in Central, South and North Eastern areas of the country eg Peking, Pao-l'eu and Kui-Chou.Where these industrial centres are located, there is good supply of water because of relatively high precipitation levels.
Other key water users include: (ranked highest to lowest in order of the amount of ewater they use)
- Industry
- Agriculture
- Manufacturing
- TNCs
- Mining
- Domestic use
Task 3
Compare the Population Density of China map with the Precipitation map above.Discuss the causes and impacts of this.
Population density tends to be in the East of China with cities like Shanghai and Wuhan being within this area - in this densely populated area, precipitation between 1961 - 1990 tends to be between 600 - 800mm of rainfall and in the south of the densely populated area its been between 800 - 1,000mm of precipitation.
The cities may have been set up in this plentiful area of precipitation so that water supplies are more accessible rather than the west where precipitation is below 50mm of precipitation - consequently, population density in this area is between 0 - 24 persons per square mile approximately.
This impacts positively on this area meaning that rain water can be collected for the people of China in this densely populated area and less needs to be collected elsewhere.
BIG TASK!
CASE STUDY
SOUTH-NORTH WATER TRANSFER PROJECT
CASE STUDY
SOUTH-NORTH WATER TRANSFER PROJECT
The South-North Water Transfer Project (known in Chinese as Nanshui beidiao gongcheng = to divert southern water north) is an infrastructure project trying to move water supplies from the South to the North. The movement of water is occuring, see the map above, precipitation is highest in the south so supplies need to be moved to supply settlements and individuals in the north. The route aims to divert water from the Yangtze River to the Yellow River and the Hai River.
The idea for the transfer project originated from Mao Zedong who said, "Southern water is plentiful, northern water scarce. If at all possible, borrowing some water would be good."
The complete project is expected to cost $62 million more than twice as much as the Three Gorges Dam.
The idea for the transfer project originated from Mao Zedong who said, "Southern water is plentiful, northern water scarce. If at all possible, borrowing some water would be good."
The complete project is expected to cost $62 million more than twice as much as the Three Gorges Dam.
Positive Effects
Negative Effects
Key Players
Solutions
Future Problems/Externalities
- water supplies will be spread more evenly
- distribution will be better in the North and South.
- Jobs will be created in the construction field whilst its being set up
Negative Effects
- It could be seen by some as a waste of resources
- The project is costly - some of these costs might be put back onto consumers in the area.
- Residents lives will be disrupted while it is being built, some may have to move permeantly.
- The Yangze river dry season could create water shortages.
Key Players
- Water companies
- Pipe manufacturers & builders
- Local residents
Solutions
Future Problems/Externalities