How does over-abstraction impact water availability in a region?

Over-abstraction leads to a decrease in water levels in rivers, lakes, and aquifers, which can result in water shortages for both human consumption and agriculture. It can also cause ecological damage, such as the drying up of wetlands and loss of biodiversity.

A strong answer should directly address the approved learning objective to explain factors affecting water availability including climate, geology, pollution, over-abstraction, limited infrastructure and poverty. This question belongs to Water (optional route) within Section C: The challenge of resource management, so the response should use relevant Geography terminology, evidence, and context rather than a generic statement. The model answer is strongest when it names the key idea, links it to over-abstraction, and keeps the explanation inside AQA GCSE Geography 8035.