This bare, sandy earth then becomes an effective rain trap - with no vegetation, water cannot be lost through transpiration (the evaporation of water from plants).

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According to a survey by Spectrem Group, financial advisors are largely treading water with many wealthy investors, and worse, have lost significant ground with a key wealth segment, the company said in a press release.

FORBES: In Volatile Markets, Wealthy Unhappy With Financial Advisors

But local governments change, and the next incumbents are often tempted to deflect public anger over rising water charges and lost jobs by rewriting or even cancelling the contract with the private firm.

ECONOMIST: Clean up��or risk many deaths

The agreement was also part of a treaty signed with Belgium to compensate for land lost through the deepening of the Westerschelde, a stretch of water connecting the port of Antwerp to the sea.

BBC: Anti-European tide sweeps Dutch marshlands