Global Water Science Research & Exploration Spring 2010

Global Climate Zones

Population density WRI, 2000 based on CIESIN 2000

Water Scarcity Index Philippe Rekacewicz (Le Monde diplomatique), February 2006

Water Trivia! Where is the wettest place on earth? a) Mt. Waialeale, Hawaii b) Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania Where is the wettest place on earth? a) Mt. Waialeale, Hawaii b) Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania c) Amazon Forest, Brazil c) Amazon Forest, Brazil Where is the driest Place on Earth? Where is the driest Place on Earth? a) Death Valley, California b) Atacama Desert, Chile a) Death Valley, California b) Atacama Desert, Chile c) Sahara Desert, Africa c) Sahara Desert, Africa How much rain does Los Angeles normally get every year? How much rain does Los Angeles normally get every year? a) 50 inches b) 25 inches c) 15 inches a) 50 inches b) 25 inches c) 15 inches How much water does the average person in Los Angeles use each day? How much water does the average person in Los Angeles use each day? a) 150 gallons b) 500 gallons c) 40 gallons How much water does a person normally use for a 5 minute shower? How much water does a person normally use for a 5 minute shower? a) 35 gallons b) 100 gallonsc) 5 gallons a) 35 gallons b) 100 gallonsc) 5 gallons Which group uses the most water in the western U.S.? Which group uses the most water in the western U.S.? a) Urban Cities b) Industry c) Agriculture a) Urban Cities b) Industry c) Agriculture

What is a watershed? A watershed is the land area where water collects and drains through a single outlet. It can drain onto a lower level property or into a river, ocean or other body of water. Drainage Outlet Watershed Boundary Definition?

Functions of watersheds  Water  Sediments, soils  Dissolved minerals, metals, nutrients  Biological material Collect Transport Process and store

Watersheds have inputs and outputs Inputs = water coming into the system Outputs = water leaving the system What are some of the inputs? What are some of the outputs? Inputs – Outputs = Change in Storage (think bank account, without interest!!)

Los Angeles Region Watersheds Ballona WS

130 sq. miles Land use: 64% residential 8% commercial 4% industrial 17% open space Ballona Watershed

Which type of watershed are we in? Where do you expect to see more pollution?

Effects of Urbanization Water budgets helps us evaluate sensitivity to change!