1. Constructing an argument
How would you argue that you need a car?

2. Sea Level https://climate.nasa.gov/vital-signs/sea-level/
Questions to consider: What changes would need to occur in the hydrologic cycle to sustain this area? What effect would these changes have on the ecosystem?
Extra credit: How would anthropogenic (human) activities effect the hydrologic cycle and effect that sustainability?

3. Standard: We are addressing ONLY the hydrologic cycle
SEV1. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to investigate the flow of energy and cycling of matter within an ecosystem. c. Analyze and interpret data to construct an argument of the necessity of biogeochemical cycles (hydrologic, nitrogen, phosphorus, oxygen, and carbon) to support a sustainable ecosystem.

4. Assignment: Create an argument using the information that follows.
Unfortunately, we do not have control over the hydrologic cycle. If we did, there would be no areas that suffered drought or flooding and every ecosystem would be sustainable. (Do you agree? Maybe you could argue that that isn’t true). Below are 4 sets of data. You will analyze and interpret ONE for your argument. It must be clear why we need the hydrologic cycle to maintain a healthy ecosystem FOREVER.

5. If any of these are missing, you automatically get a 0
If any of these are missing, you automatically get a 0. Make sure you attempt to address each one!
Exceptional
Proficient
Developing
Beginner
Data Analysis – hydrologic cycle
3 processes in the water cycle that could affect the noted trends are correctly argued
2 process in the water cycle that could affect the noted trends are correctly argued
1 process in the water cycle that could affect the noted trends are correctly argued
1 process in the water cycle that could affect the noted trends is incorrectly argued.
Justification- why did you choose that process
3 process are correctly justified/defended
2 process are correctly justified/defended
1 process is correctly justified/defended
Process is incorrectly justified/defended
Sustainability
Clear argument how the 3 process maintain sustainability
Clear argument for how the 2 processes maintain sustainability
Clear argument for how the 1 process maintains sustainability
Argument was made, but it incorrectly identifies how sustainability is maintained
Points: 7
Why did you choose the process(es) that you did? This will be the basis for your argument.
(processes: evaporation, transpiration, condensation, root uptake, runoff, percolation, precipitation)

7. Data Analysis: Option 1

8. Groundwater levels https://water.usgs.gov/edu/gwdepletion.html
The chart above shows groundwater usage from a well in Cook County, GA. The well is used for watering crops and providing water to cities.
Question(s) to consider: What changes to the hydrologic cycle would need to occur to sustain this well? What effect would that have on the ecosystem in that area?
Extra credit: How would anthropogenic (human) activities affect the hydrologic cycle and affect that sustainability?

9. Data Analysis: Option 2

10. *Water Usage in the Dead Sea
Water levels in the Dead Sea. Current ( ) usage includes an increase in the use of the watershed (water that feeds into the Dead Sea) for agriculture, industry, and domestic uses)
Questions to consider: What changes would need to occur in the hydrologic cycle to sustain this area? What effect would these changes have on the ecosystem?
Extra credit: How would anthropogenic (human) activities affect the hydrologic cycle and affect that sustainability?

11. Data Analysis: Option 3

12. Figure 1: Current drought conditions in the United States
Figure 2: Predicted changes in the conditions through the end of the year.
Figure 1: Current drought conditions in the United States
Drought, which begins due to a shortage of rainfall, has major consequences to affected areas (see next slide).
Questions to consider: What effects would occur in the hydrologic cycle to cause a change in the areas that will develop drought? What effects would need to occur in the hydrologic cycle to improve the conditions where drought is present?
Extra credit: How would anthropogenic (human) activities effect the hydrologic cycle and effect that sustainability?

13. Modified from:. https://govinfo. library. unt
CONSEQUENCES OF DROUGHT
Droughts last longer and cover larger areas than other natural disasters. Can lead to dust bowls, erosion, wildfires (see the news now!!!), and damage both aquatic and terrestrial organisms (bodies of water go dry and plants will die, reducing the number of producers as well as destroying habitats.)
Economically, it hurts farmers and ranchers as well as the people who may work for them; it affects migrant and seasonal workers. Affects water-dependent businesses such as “commercial fishing, marinas, landscapers, golf courses, and water theme parks.” It can make your food cost more at the grocery store.
Municipalities (i.e. cities) may limit water use. It can create unsafe drinking water. It has created conflicts between states over who owns the rights to the water (there are on-going disputes between Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida for example).

14. Data Analysis: Option 4

15. The Aral Sea between Kazakhastan and Uzbekistan was originally one of the 4 largest lakes in the worlds. Rivers upstream of the lake were diverted for other uses (watering crops, industry, etc).
Aral Sea in 1989 (left) and 2014 (right)
Questions to consider: What effects would occur in the hydrologic cycle to cause a change in the areas that will develop drought? What effects would need to occur in the hydrologic cycle to improve the conditions where drought is present?
Extra credit: How would anthropogenic (human) activities effect the hydrologic cycle and effect that sustainability?

16. Modified from:. https://govinfo. library. unt
CONSEQUENCES OF DROUGHT
Droughts last longer and cover larger areas than other natural disasters. Can lead to dust bowls, erosion, wildfires (see the news now!!!), and damage both aquatic and terrestrial organisms (bodies of water go dry and plants will die, reducing the number of producers as well as destroying habitats.)
Economically, it hurts farmers and ranchers as well as the people who may work for them; it affects migrant and seasonal workers. Affects water-dependent businesses such as “commercial fishing, marinas, landscapers, golf courses, and water theme parks.” It can make your food cost more at the grocery store.
Municipalities (i.e. cities) may limit water use. It can create unsafe drinking water. It has created conflicts between states over who owns the rights to the water (there are on-going disputes between Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida for example).