Human actions can have a profound impact on the environment and topography of an area. Things like strip mining and open pit mining are pretty obvious when it comes to things that alter the face of the landscape, but others are more insidious- human actions can seriously influence the hydrological cycle, erosion, and more. Water is a major force of change in the environment. It allows forests to flourish, carves waterways, and wears away mountains. This means that any human activity that uses water or alters its course will inevitably end up having some kind of impact on the physical environment.