Impact of Human Activities in the Headwater Environment

Abstract

In the water cycle, the headwater environment is the recharge area. This ecosystem affects all areas down the water flow lines. Soil is the key point where it is determined if precipitation should infiltrate or run off on the surface, percolate and form groundwater, or be taken up by plants and transpired away. Land use changes cause disruption at this point and produce consequences, many of which may be difficult to predict. Applied scientists and environmental practitioners have important responsibilities to environmental policy makers and their communities. They must provide relevant information, identify analyse problems, make prognoses of future conditions, suggest management options and, where necessary, corrective measures. In principle, all human activities affect the environment. It is important to quantify the degree of this disturbance and to evaluate its costs for society and nature.