Dr. Heidi Peterson mentions that about 39% of the rainfall over land is available as water for human use. However there is much less than that in many areas. What are some potential reasons for that based on this lecture and what you've learned before? Check all that apply.

Question

Dr. Heidi Peterson mentions that about 39% of the rainfall over land is available as water for human use. However there is much less than that in many areas.  What are some potential reasons for that based on this lecture and what you've learned before? Check all that apply.

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

The question asks for potential reasons, based on the lecture and prior knowledge, why only about 39% of land rainfall is available as water for human use, and to check all that apply.
Option 1: High rates of evaporation. This is a valid factor. When a large portion of rainfall returns to the atmosphere through evaporation from soil, water bodies, and vegetation, less water remains available for infiltration, runoff, and human use. Regions with hot, arid, or windy conditions tend to lose more water to evaporation, reducing the portion that can be captured and used.
Option 2: Uneven distribution of water geographically. This is also a key issue. Rainfall is not uniform across the globe or within a country. Some regions receive abundant precipitation, while others are arid or semi-arid. Even in areas with high average rainfall, distribution may be seasonal or episodic, making reliable, accessible water scarce for human use in many locales.
Together, these factors help explain why only a fraction of rainfall becomes usable freshwater: evaporation losses decrease the portion that infiltrates or flows toward consumable supplies, and spatial-temporal distribution means some areas have water access challenges despite overall rainfall occurring somewhere.
Note that other relevant concepts from the broader topic—such as groundwater recharge limitations, drainage into saline or unusable basins, land cover effects (e.g., urbanization reducing infiltration), and infrastructure constraints on storage and delivery—also contribute to usable water percentages, but they are not listed as options here.

SSM 3301 (001) 3) Week 3 Quiz - Water Use

Dr. Heidi Peterson mentions that about 39% of the rainfall over land is available as water for human use. However there is much less than that in many areas. What are some potential reasons for that based on this lecture and what you've learned before? Check all that apply.

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