Concept

Drought Impacts

HE A LTH EDUC A TION H E A L T H 1 0 0 V E R S I O N 3 / Water

"Drought is a natural phenomenon during which regions or communities experience shifts in the balance between precipitation and evapotranspiration, the processes of evaporation and transpiration, a balance that is inherent to the earth’s water cycle. Several factors affect the impact of drought on humans and other life forms, including the timing of precipitation events, effectiveness of the rain that is falling, characteristics of the built environment in the affected area, and local demand for water. Individual areas or communities can be affected differently by drought depending on the structure and capacity of existing water systems, economic development, the at-risk populations living within the affected area, local governance of water use, and other societal factors, such as the presence of local social networks. Because the conditions that signify drought can vary substantially by U.S. region and locality, drought should ultimately be defined based on the context and location in which the water shortage is occurring."

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Drought Impacts | HE A LTH EDUC A TION H E A L T H 1 0 0 V E R S I O N 3 | Bifalgorithm | Bifalgorithm