The Caspian-Sea is the largest inland body of water on the planet and its water level has been
continuously falling since mid-1995. Specialists predict that if international efforts are not
stepped up, the sea may never come back like the sad example of the Aral Sea. This
treacherous situation has serious consequences for the environment, regional economic
development, and peace.
The Caspian Sea
The Caspian Sea is a unique and important economical resource of the neighbouring
countries such as Kazakhstan, Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia and Turkmenistan. This is true in the
aspects of being one of the world’s richest in wildlife shelters and one of the homes to the
endangered Caspian seal and the fish sturgeon which is renowned for producing caviar. It
also provides for fishery, tourist and shipping facilities that play major roles in the countries
neighbouring the sea.
Causes of Decline
A number of factors have however been blamed for the drastic drop of the Caspian Sea water
levels. Relative to other factors, climate change has clearly had its part with rising
temperatures enhancing the evaporation process. Furthermore, construction of dams and
water extractors has decreased inflows from intermeshing rivers including the Volga to a
worse state. The sea level has decreased by around 5 feet since 2005 and according to
estimations is predicted to fall by 30 meters by 2100 if the current trend has to persist.
Environment and Costs
It is pointed out that the changes occurring in the Caspian Sea, among which the decrease in
the water level, have a rather dramatic impact with reference to both the environment and
the economy. The effects of the loss of water harm different kind of species that live within or
near the sea and depend on it for their home and for finding food. Lack of the depths also
affects the balance within the ecosystem where certain plant and animal species will fade out.
This in turn harms the economic activities of fishers and tourists who depend of the reefs for
their daily bread.
It also has very profound economic repercussion. A threats is that several people of the
region get employment and income from the fishing industry and hence with depleting fish
source due to changes in the environment. As one of the major income generating industries,
tourism is impacted because the decline of the sea changes the geography and makes beach
destinations less attractive in countries such as Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan.
Geopolitical Tensions
The rise of the Caspian Sea is expected to lead to a deterioration of the geopolitical climate in
the region. Due to scarcity of water, the available water sources come under the microcosm
of conflict through regulation and utilization. The five countries which border the sea must
collectively deal with the crisis or come up with more effective and economical ways of using
the scarce liquid.
Urgent Action Needed
Scientists call for immediate intervention in order to save the Caspian sea situation in which
is similar to that which befell the Aral sea, almost disappearing. It is very important to
advance the international cooperation and strengthen the legislation in the sphere of water
consumption. Moving away from the use of fossil fuel and adopting better farming processes
will also solve the problem reduction of the sea.
It is for this reason that the rate of decline of the Caspian Sea is so urgent a given that the
world needs to start looking for the solution to environmental problems. This valuable
ecosystem is at the brink of a decision and the destiny of the sea will ultimately be decided at
the present time. Only collective coordinated efforts and united actions are likely to put an
end to today’s disastrous situation for the Caspian Sea and, therefore, for the people as well
as animals that inhabit this unique region.
Causes of Shrinking Water Bodies
Globally, water bodies are known to be shrinking to the worst-recorded levels and this puts
pressure on ecosystems, economy and individuals. The causes for this decline are diverse,
complex, and sometimes similar and result from both biotic and abiotic stimuli. Knowledge
of these causes is important in developing ways of halting or reducing their effects in order to
conserve such important inputs.
Climate Change
Climate change is one of the principal triggers that cause water bodies to shrink most
rapidly. Global climate change affects evaporation, the snow build-up and the distribution of
precipitation, all of which mean that water bodies like lakes, rivers and reservoirs get filled
less than before.
Example: Lake Chad in Africa has reduced to 10 percent of its size back in 1960s. The
local climate conditions have slowly been shifting and regional experiences such as
decreased rainfall and increased temperatures have attributed to the dramatic drop. This
shrinkage has the impacts to communities around the lake like competition for the resulting
scarce resources has sparked conflict.
Water misuse and over exploitation
Another important factor is that the quantity of water is greatly reduced owing to use in agriculture, industries and households. Other bad Water Related Water Management Decision,
Irrigation and Pumping of Ground water as well as River diversions, reduces the replenishment of water bodies and enhance its depletion.
Example: Two feeder rivers to Aral Sea have been diverted to feed the growing
populations agricultural needs, and the Aral Sea which was once one of the largest lakes is
nearly gone. It has been given that loss and shrinkage of the Aral Sea has now manifested
itself in ecological calamity, economic chaos, and health crises among local inhabitants.
Dams and Reservoirs
Most of the construction undertaken to create dams and reservoirs hinders the free flow of
the river thus changing the ecosystem of the river and reducing the quantity of water that
infiltrates the downstream lakes and marshlands. On one hand, most of the dams offer
critical services such as hydroelectric power and irrigation, on the other they are associated
with diminution of water bodies.
Example:A major water system that has undergone very much modification especially
through construction of dams and diversion for use upstream is the Colorado River in the
United States where an immense reduction in water flow reaching the delta habitat has
occurred. The forest rich and fertile deltas of the past have turned to desolate deserts, both
for animal and people.
Land use change and urbanisation
Urbanization as well as rates of deforestation and direct conversion of wetland habitat to
other uses also restricts the capability of a landscape to allow more water to infiltrate into
aquifers. Hard structures that encompass areas such as roads and buildings hinder water
infiltration into the ground thus worsening water deficit and the water levels in natural
bodies.
Example: Lake Urmia; A case of decline: Much of the water in the lake has been extracted
for agricultural use and due to climate change, water distribution for irrigation and other
purposes and changes in the type of land use. This has been accelerated by construction of
dams and diversion of rivers that supplied water to the lake.
Invasive Species
Such species also play a role in the reduction of water bodies by interfering with the local
ecosystems and hence controlling the original species. It invites all aqua enthusiasts to note
that these invasive species throw the balance of aquatic ecosystems off-balance and degrade
these systems.
Example:One of invasive species, which had dire implications to the ecology and economy
of the Great Lakes is the Zebra Mussel. These immediate and aggressive mussels interfere
with the water supply by clogging route systems, diminish the local native fauna and flora
and alter the food chain affecting all inhabitants of the water area.
Possible ways with which the issue of shrinkage of water bodies can be addressed
The widespread loss of water bodies around the world presents severe risks to environments,
societies and people. Solving such a crisis must encompass the implementation of an
interdisciplinary and inter-sectorial strategy. Below is some of achievable measures can
assist in preventing reduction of water bodies and encouraging for their rehabilitation and
sustainability.
Sustainable Water Management
- Efficient Irrigation Techniques:Irrigation agriculture alone contributes to about
70% of the global water consumption. The utilization of effective practices as
integrated soil management, efficient water management for instance drip irrigation
or sprinkler, can lead to utilization of limited water. They also entail ways that reduce
runoff and soil erosion to the environment and other water sources.
- Rainwater Harvesting:To encourage the uptake of rainwater harvesting which
can complement sources of water so as to relieve pressure on natural sources of
water. Rainwater harvesting accumulated and stored in water systems can therefore
provide lasting water supply for uses such as irrigation, domestic and recharging of
ground water supplies.
- Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM):A comprehensive
development and management of water resources entails harmonization of the water,
land and other related resources. IWRM works towards conservation of water
resources and it takes into account the demand from different industry and
community.
Pollution Control
- Reducing Agricultural Runoff:Enhancing BMPs on farms cuts nutrient and
pesticide input into water bodies to prevent water pollution. These practices include;
the buffer strips, cover cropping and precision farming which reduces the use of
fertilizers and pesticides and control on soil erosion.
- Wastewater Treatment:Development and enhancement of wastewater treatment
systems and methods can minimize the emission of pollutants to water sources. Most
industry and domestic sewage can be subjected to tertiary treatment processes before
being discharged to rivers, lakes, and seas thus enhance water quality.
- Plastic Pollution Mitigation:To solve the problem of plastic pollution it is
necessary to cut plastic production and use, introduce recycling and establish
functioning waste management systems. People can change their behaviour through
countering, policy and rule-making on no use of plastics, or the correct disposal of
plastics also plays a part in eradicating plastics in water bodies.
Habitat Restoration
- Reforestation and Afforestation:Tree planting and activities leading to
afforestation can assist in enhancing aspects of watershed health and consequently;
recharge of water. They serve as reservoirs of water purification since they help
remove sediment and nutrients which might pollute water sources.
- Wetland Restoration:Wetlands are very important in supporting water quality
and its distribution, as well as being home to countless numbers of species. Re-
vegetation of currently degraded wetlands and pristine protection of the currently
extant ones can increase the flood retention capability, polluting agents removal as
well as sustainable biodiversity conservation.
- River Restoration:Implementing the restoration of natural flow regime often
requires the removal of or alteration to existing dams, the restoration of connections
between rivers and floodplains, and improving the habitat conditions for the species
that inhabit the river. Apparently, river restoration endeavours seek to increase the
qualities of rivers in terms of the physical and biological habitats, the quality of the
water in the river, and the biological qualities of the water to support fish life.
Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation
- Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions:Combating climate change means that
emissions of greenhouse gases must be decreased. The use of renewable energy,
energy conservation, and efficient transport system are some of the methods which
can assist to control climate change to its effect on water bodies.
- Climate-Resilient Infrastructure:Particularly, the creation of new climate-proof
structures will enable people to cope with frequent climate variability. It can be
learned that erecting barriers against floods, raising water storage capacity, and
bettering drainage systems are ways by which the effects of more frequent out of
ordinary weather conditions on water bodies can be managed.
- Adaptive Water Management:Adaptive water management practices means that
the changes and new developments in climate are observed and appropriate changes
to water management practices are made. This way, water resource can be financed
in the best way possible given the ambiguous climatic changes.
The Foreign Relationships and also the Policy Interference
- Trans-boundary Water Management:Most of the water sources including
rivers and lakes are cross boundaries, that is, do not lie within the territorial limits of
one particular country. These are cross boundary resources that need to be managed
through international cooperation and agreements. International water agreements
can increase cooperation, cooperation and harmonization of processes and the
management of resources to prevent future conflicts.