Nebraska Ogallata Aquifer: Natural Resources And Social Change

Blessing Opara

Reading Response 9: Real World Example – Nebraska Ogallata Aquifer In the reading, “Natural Resources and Social Change,” the author focuses on the topic of rural communities and natural resources. Primarily discussing the conflict linked with the development of natural resources within rural communities. As since rural communities are dependent on the extraction of renewable and non-renewable resources, the problem of uncertainty is seemingly prevalent. As there is always questions on how long these natural resources will actually be available or viable as a sustainable economic base to continue providing for rural communities. Thus, the uncertainty of how long the extraction of such natural resources will be able to provide

It is one of the world’s largest aquifers and basically directs groundwater and produces significant quantities of water to wells and springs. In addition, the Ogallala Aquifer supplies freshwater for large amount of agriculture such as wheat, corn, and soybeans as well as ranching livestock like cattle in the United States. With its great qualities of supplying significant quantities of freshwater to wells and springs to aid in the production of agriculture (such as corn and wheat) the problem of uncertainty plays a part in this example as depletion seemingly affects the water supply since the underwater aquifer is being reduced faster than it can be recharged by the rain. Thus, here lies the similar conflict with natural resources development discussed in the reading where rural communities become heavily dependent on natural resources and then comes a time where these resources seem to be reduced heavily. Moreover, producing a huge problem of sustainability for these rural communities as they have to deal with the potential loss of their main economic means of production. For instance, in this case with the Ogallala Aquifer the various communities in the High Plains are very dependent with the aquifer as it is a primary source of water for numerous uses. Thus, with its depletion there is an evident conflict of interest not only for local communities and residents but also the private interests and public goods that all rely and benefit from the