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The same amount of water on the planet today was present 3 billion years ago; not a drop more or less. Water on earth circulates continuously. It falls as rain, filters into the ground to recharge aquifers, and runs along the surface as creeks, rivers and streams. That same water transpires through plants or evaporates from the surface, re-enters the atmosphere as vapor, then falls again as rain or snow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Discover Your Ecological Address

Most of us are far removed from the source of the water we use every day. The development of indoor plumbing and sewage systems has made our connection to rivers and streams less obvious. When pollution closes waters to swimming or fishing, when droughts force us to curb water consumption, and when flooding brings rivers closer to our doorstep, we are reminded of our close relationship with rivers and streams. But if we are to preserve this lifeline, we must be aware that we make choices every day that affect our land, our water and our air.

When you turn on a faucet to get a drink, where does your water come from? When you flush a toilet or drain your bathtub or sink, where does your water go? When rain washes down your street and into a ditch or drain, where is it headed? To answer these questions, you must know what river basin you live in—part of your "ecological address."

The river basin you live in is one component of your ecological address. But even within those boundaries, there are subtle differences in your address and that of your neighbors—just as your own house may be different from others on your street. Your ecological address is made up of eight components: (1) river basin, (2) topography, (3) wetlands, (4) groundwater, (5) biodiversity, (6) soil, (7) air, and (8) climate.

Think about the following questions as you consider the scope of your ecological address.

Even if you don't live on the waterfront, the land around your house drains to a river, estuary or lake somewhere nearby. Into what river or stream does your land eventually drain? Does the water running off your property enter a storm drain, a ditch or an open field? Did you know that water flowing into a storm drain goes directly to a river or stream, not to a wastewater treatment plant? How fast does runoff enter local streams and to what extent is it filtered and cleansed by vegetation? How is land used alongside the nearest stream? How much is paved or covered with hard surfaces such as roads or rooftops?

Topography describes the physical features of a place, or the terrain--such as mountains, valleys and floodplains. Is the land around you flat or hilly? How close are you to a floodplain (a usually dry area that becomes inundated with water when streams and rivers overflow)?

A wetland is an area where the water table is at, near, or above the land surface long enough during the year to support the growth of specially adapted plants. Wetlands help regulate water flow and act like a sponge, filtering pollutants and providing flood control. How do nearby wetlands connect to the system of streams that drains your river basin?

If it comes from a well, the source is groundwater. The quantity and quality of groundwater are of concern to humans. Water that flows through contaminated soils can become tainted. What is the quality of groundwater where you live?

Biodiversity is the totality of genes, species and ecosystems in a region. Humans depend on biodiversity for food, medicine and balanced natural systems. These natural systems affect the quality and quantity of water and tell us much about the health of the whole river basin. How much land is forested? What species are endangered where you live? Are there any rare natural areas near your home?

The local soil type determines what happens when bare soil is exposed to wind and rain, what happens to toxic material dumped on the soil (such as oil from your car or pet and human wastes), how groundwater percolates, what kinds of plants can grow, and how much rainwater is absorbed by vegetation before it reaches a river. Is the land around you permeable (absorbent) or impermeable (water runs off readily)?

The quality of the air in a river basin also influences its forests, agricultural crops and surface waters. Pollutants in the air, such as automobile exhaust and industry emissions, will eventually return to the ground and enter the water supply.

Consider how much rain or snow is typical for a given year and when it falls. This will give you an idea of when the ground is likely to be saturated with water. When no more water can seep into the ground, runoff rushes quickly over land.

To find the answers to these questions check out the "Discover Your Ecological Address" Web site.