In North Carolina, increased agricultural water use has led to significant strain on river basins, often resulting in reduced water levels and negatively impacting aquatic ecosystems. This over-extraction can lead to diminished flow in rivers, affecting the habitats of fish and other wildlife that rely on stable water levels. A conservation strategy to mitigate the impact of agricultural practices on water quality is implementing riparian buffer zones, where vegetation is established along riverbanks. These buffers can help filter pollutants, reduce runoff, and improve the overall health of the water ecosystem, ensuring quality and availability for both agricultural and environmental needs.
In North Carolina, demand for fresh water has increased dramatically. One of the main reasons for this is increased water use for agriculture. Respond to the following in 3–5 sentences:
Relate one effect of agricultural water use on North Carolina's river basins.
Relate one conservation strategy that would reduce the effect of agricultural practices on water quality.
1 answer