Research Findings:
1. Primary Source: "Three Gorges Dam," International Rivers, accessed at https://www.internationalrivers.org/campaigns/three-gorges-dam. This source provides detailed information about the construction and controversy surrounding the Three Gorges Dam. It highlights how the dam has led to the displacement of millions of people, loss of cultural heritage sites, and negative impacts on the environment, including increased sedimentation and altered water flow.
2. Secondary Source: "The Three Gorges Dam in China," By Van Romero, Geographical Review, Vol. 89, No. 2 (Apr. 1999), pp. 258-277. In this article, Romero examines the construction and controversy surrounding the Three Gorges Dam. It discusses the displacement of people, the loss of historical sites, and the impact on the environment, including the alteration of river ecosystems and water pollution. The article also mentions how shared resources, such as water and electricity, have led to conflicts between different regions and industries.
3. Primary Source with GIS data: "Analysis of Sedimentation and Streamflow Changes Downstream of the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River, China," By Guihua Luo et al., Journal of Hydrology, Vol. 516 (2014), pp. 74-83. This research paper uses GIS data to analyze the physical and environmental changes caused by the Three Gorges Dam. It examines sedimentation patterns, streamflow changes, and the impact on water quality. The paper highlights how the dam has led to increased sedimentation downstream, affecting water quality and ecosystem health.
Analysis:
The Three Gorges Dam in China has been a subject of controversy due to its significant social, environmental, and economic impacts. The construction of the dam has led to the displacement of millions of people and the loss of cultural heritage sites, causing significant social and cultural conflicts. The dam's impact on the environment, including altered water flow, increased sedimentation, and water pollution, has further exacerbated conflicts among different regions and industries dependent on shared resources.
While the dam has brought some benefits, such as flood control and renewable energy generation, the overall harm it has caused outweighs its benefits. The negative consequences, such as the loss of cultural heritage, environmental degradation, and conflicts over shared resources, demonstrate that the construction of the dam has been more harmful. The long-term sustainability and ecological balance of the region have been compromised, and the dam's negative impacts on communities and the environment should be taken into account when evaluating its overall benefits.
Examine how shared resources in a region can lead to conflict by accessing and evaluating information about the Three Gorges Dam in China. Conduct research online to locate at least three primary or secondary sources that describe the construction and controversy surrounding the Three Gorges Dam. Make sure that at least one of your sources uses GIS data to illustrate the physical and environmental changes caused by the dam. Use the table provided to record and organize your research findings. Be specific, and avoid generalizations. Finally, in a short paragraph ,offer your analysis of the dam, describing whether the construction of the dam was more harmful or more beneficial.
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