The following terms and abbreviations are used throughout the entry:Acidification - the lowering of soil and water pH due to acid precipitation and deposition usually through precipitation; this process disrupts ecosystem nutrient flows and may kill freshwater fish and plants dependent on more neutral or alkaline conditions (see acid rain).Acid rain - characterized as containing harmful levels of sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxide; acid rain is damaging and potentially deadly to the earth's fragile ecosystems; acidity is measured using the pH scale where 7 is neutral, values greater than 7 are considered alkaline, and values below 5.6 are considered acid precipitation; note - a pH of 2.4 (the acidity of vinegar) has been measured in rainfall in New England. The breakage of the undersea water pipeline conveying fresh water from Mersin to North Cyprus is leading to water shortages. Carbon cycle - the term used to describe the exchange of carbon (in various forms, e.g., as carbon dioxide) between the atmosphere, ocean, terrestrial biosphere, and geological deposits. Soil degradation - damage to the land's productive capacity because of poor agricultural practices such as the excessive use of pesticides or fertilizers, soil compaction from heavy equipment, or erosion of topsoil, eventually resulting in reduced ability to produce agricultural products. The Cypriot government has been forced to implement measures to reduce water usage in the country. He said they expected the water flow from Turkey to the Gecitkoy reservoir to resume in August and called on citizens to save water. Çeki noted that he is talking to the local mayors and those involved in animal husbandry and that staff from the department are working on the spot to solve the problems before they get worse. Asbestos - a naturally occurring soft fibrous mineral commonly used in fireproofing materials and considered to be highly carcinogenic in particulate form. Cyprus’ Water Crisis Shows Climate Change Is Here and Businesses Must Act Now. Biodiversity - also biological diversity; the relative number of species, diverse in form and function, at the genetic, organism, community, and ecosystem level; loss of biodiversity reduces an ecosystem's ability to recover from natural or man-induced disruption. In recent years, the situation has continued to worsen. Poaching - the illegal killing of animals or fish, a great concern with respect to endangered or threatened species. Noxious substances - injurious, very harmful to living beings. Aerosol - a collection of airborne particles dispersed in a gas, smoke, or fog. Metallurgical plants - industries which specialize in the science, technology, and processing of metals; these plants produce highly concentrated and toxic wastes which can contribute to pollution of ground water and air when not properly disposed. Groundwater - water sources found below the surface of the earth often in naturally occurring reservoirs in permeable rock strata; the source for wells and natural springs. That said, with an average annual rainfall of 480 millimeters (19 inches) the climate of Cyprus as a whole is technically only semi-arid – slightly wetter than Los Angeles or Denver, and much wetter than the true deserts that surround Las Vegas or Phoenix.. Cyprus Environment - current issues. Ozone shield - a layer of the atmosphere composed of ozone gas (O3) that resides approximately 25 miles above the Earth's surface and absorbs solar ultraviolet radiation that can be harmful to living organisms. The breakage of the undersea water pipeline conveying fresh water from Mersin to North Cyprus is leading to water shortages. Deforestation - the destruction of vast areas of forest (e.g., unsustainable forestry practices, agricultural and range land clearing, and the over exploitation of wood products for use as fuel) without planting new growth. Possible Solutions With little amounts of rainfall and water cuts by the government continuing to be present, many farmers in the country struggle to make ends meet. Potable water - water that is drinkable, safe to be consumed. Soil erosion - the removal of soil by the action of water or wind, compounded by poor agricultural practices, deforestation, overgrazing, and desertification. In fact, Cyprus’s government found that the agrarian sector absorbs 69 percent of the country’s total water usage. The backbone of the country's economy is agriculture, and mostly small-scale farming is practiced. He said they were in contact with the Turkish Water Authority (DSI) and that it was an advantage that hotels were currently closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Inuit Circumpolar Conference (ICC) - represents the roughly 150,000 Inuits of Alaska, Canada, Greenland, and Russia in international environmental issues; a General Assembly convenes every three years to determine the focus of the ICC; the most current concerns are long-range transport of pollutants, sustainable development, and climate change.