Which of the following is a common way humans adapt to the limited availability of water in their environment?

• A. Increasing the use of fossil fuels to generate more water
• B. Expanding agricultural land without changing water usage
• C. Relying solely on rainfall for all water needs
• D. Implementing water conservation techniques such as recycling and efficient irrigation

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the problem: The question asks about how humans adapt to limited water availability in their environment. It provides multiple options, and the correct answer is implementing water conservation techniques such as recycling and efficient irrigation.
2. Step 1: Analyze the incorrect options. Increasing the use of fossil fuels to generate more water is not a sustainable or common method for addressing water scarcity. Expanding agricultural land without changing water usage would exacerbate the problem rather than solve it. Relying solely on rainfall is impractical in many regions due to inconsistent precipitation.
3. Step 2: Focus on the correct option. Water conservation techniques are widely used to address water scarcity. These include recycling water (e.g., treating wastewater for reuse) and efficient irrigation methods (e.g., drip irrigation) to minimize water waste in agriculture.
4. Step 3: Explain the concept of water conservation. Recycling water involves treating and reusing wastewater for purposes such as irrigation or industrial use. Efficient irrigation techniques, like drip irrigation, deliver water directly to plant roots, reducing evaporation and runoff.
5. Step 4: Highlight the importance of these techniques. Water conservation methods help ensure sustainable water use, especially in regions with limited water availability, and are critical for supporting agriculture, industry, and human consumption.