Human Adaptations and Modifications to the Environment
Polders
1. Why do you think the people of the Netherlands created polders?
2. What is the continual problem with polders?
3. What are some ways the people of the Netherlands are trying to adapt to the rise of sea
levels?
Human Adaptations and Modifications to the Environment
Desalination
1. What natural disaster led Israel to build desalination plants?
2. What do the Israelis plan to do with any surplus water created from desalination?
3. How could desalination help countries that lack fresh water resources?
Human Adaptations and Modifications to the Environment
Stilt Houses
1. Why are some homes built on stilts in regions around the world?
2. What do all these regions have in common?
Human Adaptations and Modifications to the Environment
Dams
1. How are reservoirs created by dams?
2. Why are dams built?
3. How do dams control flooding?
4. What are some of the negative consequences of building dams?
Human Adaptations and Modifications to the Environment
Levees
1. Why are levees built?
2. What decides how high a levee is built?
3. Why didn’t the levees protect New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina?
Human Adaptations and Modifications to the Environment
Aqueducts
1. Define aqueduct.
2. Why did Los Angeles build an aqueduct system despite access to the Los Angeles River?
3. What might be negative consequences to aqueducts?
Human Adaptations and Modifications to the Environment
Deforestation
1. List the causes of deforestation.
2. How does deforestation lead to erosion?
Human Adaptations and Modifications to the Environment
Air Conditioning
1. How has air conditioning changed the design of homes?
2. How has it changed the South in the United States?
Human Adaptations and Modifications to the Environment
Terrace Farming
1. In what types of regions is terrace farming used?
2. How does terrace farming prevent erosion?
Human Adaptations and Modifications to the Environment
Irrigation
1. What is the purpose of irrigation?
2. How much of the world’s water consumption is used for irrigation?