Question

Mention two ecological effects of dams?

Answer 1

Dam: A dam is a wall constructed across a river or lake or a water body to obstruct the path of water and collect it, such that it creates a sufficient water head.

Explanation: Dams have a few ecological effects. Two of them are soil erosion and damage to the marine ecosystem.

• There are sediments that rivers take with them while flowing. The construction of the dam holds the deposits. This deprives the land further ahead in the stream of the sediments. This can lead to soil erosion and deepening of river beds.
• The dam affects the marine life ecosystem as it obstructs the freshwater flow and limits the breeding grounds.