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Increasing concern
as to how human activities impact the Earth has led to documentation
and quantification of environmental changes taking place on land, in the water, and in the air.
Through a combination of ground photographs, current and historical satellite images, and
narrative based on extensive scientific evidence, this publication illustrates how humans
have altered their surroundings and continue to make observable and measurable changes
to the global environment.
Go to: Chapters
— Site Images — Powerpoints
— Posters
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ONE PLANET MANY PEOPLE
Chapter 3 - Water |
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Lake Hamoun, Iran
Iran's Lake Hamoun is fed primarily by water catchments in neighboring Afghanistan.
In 1976, when rivers in Afghanistan were flowing regularly, the amount of water in the lake was relatively high. Between 1999 and 2001, however,
the lake all but dried up and disappeared, as can be seen in the 2001 satellite image above.
The "dry phase" of Lake Hamoun is a striking example of how competition for scarce water resources can transform a landscape.
When droughts occur in Afghanistan, or the water in watersheds that support Lake Hamoun is drawn down by other natural or
human-induced reasons, the end result is a dry lakebed in Iran. In addition, when the lake is dry, seasonal winds blow fine
sands off the exposed lakebed. The sand is swirled into huge dunes that may cover a hundred or more fishing villages along the
former lakeshore. Wildlife around the lake is negatively impacted and fisheries are brought to a halt. Changes in water policies
and substantial rains in the region saw a return of much of the water in Lake Hamoun by 2003.
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