30 - Droughts

1
Cause

Disruption of the Water Cycle

Disruption of the Water Cycle

4
Consequences

River Flooding

Droughts

See card n26: "If the soil is dried by drought it's worse because the water runs off."

Freshwater Resources

Droughts

Decline in Agricultural Yields

Droughts

Forest Fires

Droughts

2
Other possible causes

Deforestation

Deforestation

Deforestation can be the direct cause of droughts because trees stock a lot of water. If they are cut down, they no longer play their part as humidity regulators.

Heatwaves

Heatwaves

Heatwaves can cause droughts. They often go together.

1
Other possible consequence

Carbon Sinks

Droughts

If a lack of rain occurs while plants are growing, there is less photosynthesis and therefore a reduction in capacity of the carbon sink. In Europe, in 2018, carbon sinks declined by 18%.