Human-environment Interaction Chapter 12, Section 3

Vocabulary Dike Polder Seaworks Terpen

A Human Perspective 1800 DIE IN WIND WHIPPED WATERS headline from Feb 1, 1953 High winds (110-115 MPH and high waves ripped open a dike 4.5% of Holland’s land was under water It is prone to floods, be4cause much of it is under sea level.

Polders: Land from the Sea Seaworks Dikes Terpen Windmillselectric motors Transforming the sea Zuider ZeeIjsselmeer Why do you think they could do this in 1667? At least 40% of Holland is land reclaimed from the sea, a POLDER Seaworks is a term for structures built to control the sea’s impact on life in Holland. Dikes, dams that hold back the sea, and terpen “safety zones” for people and livestock in case of a flood The first pumps used were the famous windmills; today they use electric motors. Proposed in 1667, but completed in the 1900s, the Dutch built a dike across the whole entrance to the Zuider Zee What was once an arm of the North Sea is now a freshwater lake (Ijsselmeer, surrounded by several polders.

Waterways for Commerce Venice Shelter to Major Port Built on pilings Deforestation That sinking feeling… Venice Italy, a city consisting of 120 islands are crisscrossed by canals. To get around in Venice, you take a boat or walk. Venice began as a place that people took shelter from invaders, but its situation, located at the head of the Adriatic Sea made it a good location for a port and became important during the Crusades. They built upon pilings driven deep into the mud, deforest large areas of Italy and Slovenia in the process Over years, the weight of the buildings has compacted the land.

Rising water, sinking land Structural damage Increased seawater in lagoon Damage to artwork and buildings Agricultural run-off causes algae Die-off stinks This, combined with a rising sea level has caused flooding in recent years. Additional problems include water pollution damages the buildings’ foundations and agricultural run-off adds algae to the water, causing a die-off of fish and stinking (Smells like low tide.)

A Century’s old Problem: Deforestation Why deforestation? Field clearing Wood for fuel Building material for ships and houses Charcoal for the Industrial Revolution Acid rain further damaging forests Why would restoring a forest be a slow process? Deforestation means cutting trees at a rate faster than they grow back. In Europe people have been cutting down the forest s since ancient times. Clear for fields Wood for fuel Building material for ships and houses When made into charcoal was the first fuel for the Industrial Revolution We’ve found that acid rain is also depleting the forests Starts in one area and damages another

7. About what percent of Holland was once under the sea? a. 5% b. 10% c. 25% d. 40%

8. What are some of the problems faced by the people of Venice. a 8. What are some of the problems faced by the people of Venice? a. Oh, Culver City is way cooler b. The land is sinking c. The sea is rising d. all of the above

9. What causes acid rain? a. Factory emissions b. Deforestation c. Airplane exhaust d. It is the angels crying