Registered Environmental Manager (REM) Practice Exam

What characterizes physical water scarcity?

1. Too much water in a region

2. Lack of human access to abundant water sources

3. Insufficient natural water supply to meet needs

4. Poor management of existing water resources

The correct answer is: Insufficient natural water supply to meet needs

Physical water scarcity is characterized by insufficient natural water supply to meet the needs of a region. This occurs when the available water resources, such as rivers, lakes, and groundwater, are not adequate to fulfill the demands of the population, agriculture, industry, and ecosystems. In regions experiencing physical water scarcity, the population may face significant challenges in accessing enough water for basic needs, leading to a range of issues, including health problems, reduced agricultural productivity, and economic stress. In contrast, having too much water in a region does not lead to scarcity; rather, it may result in flooding and water management issues. Lack of human access to abundant water sources pertains more to socioeconomic factors rather than physical scarcity. Lastly, poor management of existing water resources typically reflects an issue of governance and allocation, rather than a true lack of water supply itself. Thus, the essence of physical water scarcity is directly tied to the limitation in natural water availability.