Environmental Issues of Southwest Asia

Why has access to water led to political conflicts in Southwest Asia?

• Because the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers flow through more than one country

• Because some countries have major rivers that provide enough water for farming communities

• Because there is a short supply of water in Southwest Asia

• Because technology has modernized agricultural techniques

Which countries in Southwest Asia have major rivers that provide enough water for farming communities?

• Turkey and Iraq

• Israel, Syria, and Jordan

• Saudi Arabia

• Iran

What is the problem with using underground aquifers and fossil water as a source of water?

• The amount of water they have is fixed and cannot be replaced once it is used up

• They are expensive and require complex technology

• They lead to overuse of rivers and streams

• They cause water pollution

What is drip irrigation?

• A system where computers measure how much water each plant receives

• The process of removing salt and other chemicals from seawater

• A traditional method of irrigation using waterwheels and canals

• A technique that allows farms to be more productive

What is the drawback of desalination as a solution to water scarcity problems?

• It is very expensive and requires complex technology

• It leads to overuse of rivers and streams

• It causes water pollution

• It makes it difficult to grow anything

What has led to water pollution in Southwest Asia?

• The overuse of rivers and streams by farms

• The use of chemical fertilizers by farmers

• The lack of waste management and sewer systems in cities

• The rush to develop industry in the region

What happens when chemical fertilizers run off into rivers and streams?

• They lead to political conflicts

• They cause water pollution

• They make it difficult to grow anything

• They increase the amount of water available for farming

Why do many places in Southwest Asia that have been irrigated for years no longer produce anything?

• Because there is a short supply of water in Southwest Asia

• Because technology has modernized agricultural techniques

• Because salts have built up in the soil

• Because there is a lack of waste management and sewer systems

What has led to the rapid growth of cities and towns in Southwest Asia?

• The overuse of rivers and streams by farms

• The use of chemical fertilizers by farmers

• The lack of waste management and sewer systems in cities

• The rush to develop industry in the region

What is the main reason for the development of dams along the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers?

• To create reservoirs for irrigation and hydroelectric power

• To provide enough water for farming communities

• To access underground aquifers and fossil water

• To desalinate seawater for drinking and irrigation