The potential impacts of drought on the security of
human water demands have long been recognised in
Australia, giving rise to the highest levels of percapita
water storage anywhere in the world (Australian
Bureau of Statistics, 2007). These high levels of
storage have, to a large degree, effectively buffered
humans against low levels of runoff and high interannual
variability in river discharge. Yet, in spite of
such measures droughts have continued to inflict
periodic stress on both human society and environmental
systems (McKernan, 2005; McKeon, 2006).
Furthermore, of the suite of human pressures on
aquatic ecosystems discussed above, such as largescale
water extraction, the construction of dams,
groundwater pumping and changes in land use, most
have served to exacerbate the effects of droughts
when they do occur.
The potential impacts of drought on the security ofhuman water demands have long been recognised inAustralia, giving rise to the highest levels of percapitawater storage anywhere in the world (AustralianBureau of Statistics, 2007). These high levels ofstorage have, to a large degree, effectively bufferedhumans against low levels of runoff and high interannualvariability in river discharge. Yet, in spite ofsuch measures droughts have continued to inflictperiodic stress on both human society and environmentalsystems (McKernan, 2005; McKeon, 2006).Furthermore, of the suite of human pressures onaquatic ecosystems discussed above, such as largescalewater extraction, the construction of dams,groundwater pumping and changes in land use, mosthave served to exacerbate the effects of droughtswhen they do occur.
การแปล กรุณารอสักครู่..