jungles are a natural impediment

[alpacinou]

Hello.

Have I used "impediment" correctly and naturally? Does this work?

Jungles have been a natural impediment to flooding, so deforestation can be a contributor to excessive flooding.


Again, I know it's formal, but it's meant to be used in writing for international tests.

 

[alpacinou]

If impediment doesn't work, what word can I use?

 

[emsr2d2]

"a natural defence against flooding" or "a natural flood defence".

 

[alpacinou]

"a natural defence against flooding" or "a natural flood defence".

Is the entire thing okay now?

Jungles have been a natural defense to flooding, so deforestation can be a contributor to excessive flooding.

And just so I'm clear, why is impediment wrong?

 

[emsr2d2]

Look at post #3 again. What word did I use after "defence"?

 

[alpacinou]

Look at post #3 again. What word did I use after "defence"?

Sorry, my bad.

Jungles have been a natural defense against flooding, so deforestation can be a contributor to excessive flooding.


What about "impediment"? Why is it wrong?

 

[emsr2d2]

In my opinion, "impediment" doesn't really work there because it sounds as if the flooding is making a concerted effort to happen, and the jungle is trying to stop it. That's not what happens. Flooding is a natural occurrence.

 

[Tarheel]

I wouldn't use "excessive" there. It invites the question "How much is too much?"

I find it questionable that there is less flooding in areas where there is jungle. Instead, if nobody lives there it doesn't get any attention when it happens.

 

[tedmc]

Flooding occurs due to land being low-lying and water cannot drain off. Forests/jungles serves as a buffer to retain water thus slowing the process. Also, paving and covering up of land surfaces that comes with development prevents water from seeping through the ground and thus keeps accumulating.

 

[Tdol]

Do you only mean jungles, or are you also talking about woods, forests, etc?

 

[Tarheel]

Flooding happens when a river overflows its banks.

Perhaps:

Forests decrease the chance of flooding.

 

[alpacinou]

Do you only mean jungles, or are you also talking about woods, forests, etc?

All of the above because I'm talking about the impact of deforestation.

Is "impediment" passable or is it flat out wrong?

 

[Tarheel]

You could say:

Deforestation contributes to flooding.