Rivers

I've found this useful revision website for AS and A2 students, which covers not only geography but other subjects too. Why not take a look at the information on the hydrological cycle, drainage basins, storm hydrographs and loads of other stuff related to rivers. There is also a glossary of really useful definitions on this topic.

Biofuels: "Deforestation Diesel?"

Facts about biofuels and how they could be less environmentally friendly than previously thought, for example:

* The grain required to fill the petrol tank of a Range Rover with ethanol is sufficient to feed one person per year. Assuming the petrol tank is refilled every two weeks, the amount of grain required would feed a hungry African village for a year.

*Much of the fuel that Europeans use will be imported from Brazil, where the Amazon is being burned to plant more sugar and soybeans, and Southeast Asia, where oil palm plantations are destroying the rainforest habitat of orangutans and many other species. Species are dying for our driving.

Perhaps articles like these will help us to think again about biofuels.

Drainage Basins

This is a link to MSN Encarta's information about drainage basins, including some details about their formation features. Why not take a look?

The Hydrological Cycle

Here is a good revision exercise for the hydrological cycle, which you may find useful. Watch the animation and test yourself.

Also, Wikipedia has some great information about the hydrological cycle, including definitions, residence times and changes in the hydrological cycle.

'Drastic' shrinkage in Arctic ice

This article suggests that in the last few decades, we have seen summer ice shrink by about 0.7% per year. Scary thought! Why not take a look?

Water Shortages: Spain

September 12th

Water Shortages: Spain

One of Spain’s worst droughts has caused a severe water shortage, especially in the region about Madrid. Spain has suffered a lack of rainfall for several weeks, which has resulted in a water shortage in several areas of the country.

Over the past six weeks, the drought has caused the reservoir levels to fall an average of 1.3 per cent per week, due to the insignificant amounts of rainfall. September 2005 was considered the worst year for rainfall since records began 147 years ago. This month, however, water levels have dropped below the September 2005 level. On the 12th September 2006, Spanish reservoirs stand at 39.5 per cent of their capacity.

Millions of people in the southern regions of Valencia and Murcia, have, until now, relied on water from Spain's longest river, the Tajo, for their main supply of water. However, the drought has meant that Tajo’s water level has dropped too low.

Another theory is that bad planning has resulted in such a serious water shortage. Some areas of the country, especially those that attract tourists, have not had any water restrictions imposed on them, which could be a factor that has contributed to the water shortage.

Spain is an MEDC, and so has the resources to provide aid should the drought be life threatening. However, the country is suffering the consequences of the drought. Some areas have been restricted as to how much water they can use in an attempt to conserve supplies. Water is vital to aid maize crops, as it is used to irrigate the crops. Water is being rationed in the south and the east of the country, the consequence of this being that Spain’s yield of maize could be considerably lower this year. In addition to this, Spain

Environmental Health News

I found this website whilst researching water shortages. It has some great links to loads of topical articles that I found really relevant and informative. It may be worth a look if you want to research a topic that is based on physical geography or that is about the environment.

Disease 'migrates' as world warms

I've just spotted this article, which suggests that climate change could lead to diseases-spreading organisms to migrate, and infecting more and more people.

Water crisis

This article explains the "Global Water Crisis" and the effects and possible solutions to this terrible problem.

Also, on the same website, this article gives some facts about water and how vital it is, given the increasing demand.

Las Vegas is an example of a city whose water supply in the future is threatened. Why not click here to find out more?

Humans 'causing stronger storms'

This article suggests that increases in hurricane intensity are down to humanity's greenhouse gas emissions.

The effects of climate change on Britain

This article is about how Britain can expect to see more tropical-style rainfall and severe floods in the future, what with climate changing at such a rapid pace. The picture shows the flooding at Boscastle, an example of what Britain can expect to see more often in the future.

Climate Change

This link gives some interesting background information about climate change.

Also, why not take a look at this link, which includes some details about how climate change is affecting the Arctic and the Antarctic.

Why not read this article about theories that carbon dioxide levels are at their highest relate to research into glaciers.

The World Factbook

This link is really useful if you need to find any info about countries around the world including maps, info about a country's background, statistics about population, details about the country's climate and plenty more for all you geographers to enjoy!!

Prettejohn.net

Why not take a look at this website, which contains some really useful links about A-level Geography!!

Methane bubbles climate trouble

I have just found a link to how thawing Siberian bogs are releasing more of the greenhouse gas methane than previously believed, according to new scientific research.

Hello!

I would like to welcome you to my geography blog!! I have put in links to websites that may be of use to you for general research in larger font, and interesting geography-related articles that you may wish to view in smaller font.