Freshwater resources

AN INTRODUCTION OF FRESHWATER RESOURCES. VARIOUS PROBLEMS THAT IS AFFECTING THE RESOURCES ARE DISCUSSED. SOME IMPORTANT INVASIVE SPECIES EFFECTING THE INDIGENOUS SPECIES ARE GIVEN

1. FRESHWATER: THE VERY IMPORTANT LIFELINE OF HUMANITY DR SHARMISTHA CHAKRAVARTY DEPT OF ZOOLOGY BARNAGAR COLLEGE SORBHOG

2. FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEM About 70% of earth’s surface is covered with water. 97% is marine water and only 3% is freshwater. 2% of the freshwater is locked in glaciers at the south and north poles. 1% is groundwater. Freshwater ecosystems are a subset of earth’s aquatic ecosystem. They include lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, springs, bogs and wetlands.

3. IMPORTANCE OF WATER

4. WATER REQUIREMENTS FOR VARIOUS CROPS Crop Water requirement (mm) Crop Water requirement (mm) Rice 1200 Tomato 600-800 Wheat 450-650 Potato 500-700 Sorghum 450-650 Pea 350-500 Maize 500-800 Onion 350-550 Sugarcane 1500-2500 Chillies 400-600 Beet 550-750 Cabbage 380-500 Groundnut 500-700 Banana 1200-2200 Cotton 700-1300 Citrus 900-1200 Soybean 450-700 Grapes 700-1200 Tobacco 400-600 Mango 1000-1200 Bean 300-500 Turmeric 1200-1400

5. LENTIC ECOSYSTEM A lentic ecosystem entails a body of standing water, ranging from ditches, seeps, ponds, seasonal pools, basin marshes and lakes. Deeper waters, such as lakes, may have layers of ecosystems, influenced by light. Ponds, due to their having more light penetration, are able to support a diverse range of water plants.

6. Some invasive species destroying the aquatic habitat Water hyacinth Red bellied piranha

7. How invasive species destroy the aquatic ecosystem? Commonly known as African catfish, a carnivorous fish introduced in India in 1990s is an invasive species which is destroying the local varieties of fishes drastically, now banned in many states like Kerela . Clarius gariepinus

8. How water pollution is effecting our freshwater resources Human activities like use of plastics, pesticides , bad sewage system is rapidly destroying our freshwater resources that is making our drinking water highly poisonous for consumption that is leading to various diseases.

9. BIOMAGNIFICATION

10. EFFECT OF CLIMATE CHANGE IN FRESHWATER HABITATS Increases in water temperatures as a result of climate change will alter fundamental ecological processes and the geographic distribution of aquatic species. Changes in seasonal patterns of precipitation and runoff will alter hydrologic characteristics of aquatic systems, affecting species composition and ecosystem productivity. Populations of aquatic organisms are sensitive to changes in the frequency, duration, and timing of extreme precipitation events, such as floods or droughts effects the reproduction of aquatic species.

11. FLOW MODIFICATION As per Central water commission (CWC), Godavari, Kaveri and Krishna are greatly effected due to flow modification caused by dams construction. The composite water management index report released by NITI aayog in 2018, highlighted that 600 million people in India are facing water crisis. India’s per capita water availability decreased from 1,820 cubic meters in 2001 to 1,545 in 2011. This is predicted to keep declining each year up to 1,140 in 2030 which leads to water scarcity conditions.

12. How to conserve water resources? Judicial use of water Stop use of plastics Go for organic farming Stop the use of harmful pesticides and fertilisers .

13. THANK YOU