Man's influence on hydrologic cycle

Abstract

The surface of the earth forms a geographical space in which man creates an anthropologeneous living environment. He influences the land directly and indirectly, deliberately and unintentially. Man transforms the situation mainly by his building activities. This is particularly true of continuous build up areas of housing and industries. linear civil engineering structures (railways, roads, bridges, tunnels), public utility networks, water structures, etc. These activities are complemented by those of agriculture. The effect of such influences becomes evident in terrace cultivation in slopes, strip tillage. felling of forests, etc. Exploitation of minerals and other substances by mining causes substantial and often very adverse changes. Many human activities have an impact on water quantity and water quality, and it is useful to look at the interactions between man's activity, the climate, the catchment characteristic and the hydrologic cycle.