Many cities have storms drains that capture and direct rain water into the sewer pipe network. Many networks are combined systems; meaning that they collect sanitary (from toilets and sinks) and stormwater flows (from catch basins, like the one shown below) in one pipe. During dry weather conditions, when the storm component is minimal or …
Drought is the result of long periods without adequate rainfall, which can be exacerbated by high temperatures, land clearing, mismanagement of water resources, and land use changes. Experts predict that drought will have the highest impact of all climate change risks; in the United States 40% of cities will be affected. Droughts have extreme ecological …
Mangroves are saltwater forests that protect coastlines and support diverse ecosystems. Globally, an estimated 192,000 hectares of mangrove deforestation occurred between 2001 and 2012. This precious resource is being destroyed by pollution and industry development, such as aquaculture, agriculture, tourism, and logging. Mangroves are a significant nature-based solution (NBS), as the benefits they provide are …
In an unaltered environment, the natural water cycle resembles the illustration in Figure 1. When vegetation is removed to develop cities, roads, and agriculture, this cycle is disrupted. Hard, impervious surfaces such as concrete and asphalt, or compacted soil, decrease the rate at which rainwater can infiltrate. These modifications cause an increase in runoff and …
Riparian buffers are terrestrial zones of grasses, shrubs, and trees that border rivers, lakes, and wetlands. Due to poor or illegal development, forestry, and agriculture practices, riparian areas are being removed at a disturbing rate. In Belize, an estimated that 13% of riparian buffers are cut down each year; in Brazil, 25% of riparian forests …
