Biodiversity in the time of flood

Biodiversity in the time of the flood

GS-III: Biodiversity in the time of deluge

Context

Floods impact the poorest strata of society the most, causing a loss of lives, livelihood options, and assets. There is a need for the assessment of floods from a ‘sustainable development perspective.

Causes for floods

The root cause of such floods is the high precipitation levels.
Anthropogenic factors like unscientific development and over-exploitation of nature aggravate the damages.
The global climate has been changing in an unpredictable manner. As per an IPCC report, the Global Green House Gases emissions grew by 70% between 1970 and 2004. Global warming has critical effects on the hydrological cycle.
In Kerala, a structural transformation and changing patterns of land use are affecting its environment. A loss in a wetland area will naturally impact the ability to handle floods.

Impact of floods

The changing precipitation alters the hydrological systems, resulting in floods and droughts in different regions.
Floods wash away topsoil and substantial biodiversity of the area, resulting in a reduced river-water flow, death of earthworms and spread of viral and bacterial diseases among crops.

Way ahead

Adequate precautions through dam management and timely public alerts.
In construction, it is important to make appropriate decisions on the type and size of the structure, location, materials, and permissible damage it will cause to nature.
We need to account for the damage done to natural ecosystems while estimating losses suffered due to natural disasters.

Source: The Hindu

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