BIOL 1001 Chapter Notes -Permafrost, Biome, The Vancouver Sun

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18 Jun 2014

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The effects of global warming and the release of carbon due to thawing permafrost. Its effects on the earth are catastrophic and potentially deadly. In recent years, the north and south poles have seen the most drastic effects. With areas in the antarctic increasing nearly 6 since 1950, places that had once been covered in snow and ice and served as a home for a variety of different species, are slowly disappearing. This warming is changing the whole terrain of the land. Polar bears, for example, native to the cold arctic, are in constant search of mating ground and food. Animals are slowly being forced inland and upward in search of their ideal environment that they used to have elsewhere. Contrary to the beliefs of many, he effects are not contained to just the poles. With more and more arctic ice melting every day, the overall sea levels are rising which decreases shorelines all around the world.

Related Questions

Which of the following statements best describes why ecologists are currently concerned with global warming and the thawing of permafrost in many areas of the tundra biome?

ochreminnow438

Consider how global warming could affect the global hydrologic (water) cycle. Which of the following possible changes is LEAST likely to occur due to global warming?

Higher global evaporation rates.

B.	more precipitation occurring as rain rather than snow

C. water spends less time in aquifers

D.	earlier spring snowmelt and spring river flooding

E. changes and severity and patterns of precipitation

Global Warming: Carbon Dioxide and its Effects on Agriculture Many scientists understand that earth is getting warmer and that the cause could be an intensified greenhouse effect resulting from increased CO2 emissions from industry, vehicles, and the burning of forests. Increased carbon dioxide levels will also affect the nutritional quality of many crop plants by decreasing protein content and increasing weed growth. Global warming could influence agriculture and perhaps even completely melt polar ice, leading to flooding of coastal regions. Over 90% of scientists now agree that global warming is occurring. In response to this potential threat, several European countries, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand have made a commitment to significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions. However, some countries oppose taking strong actions at this time and the U.S. has only met a relatively small proportion of its commitments. Several reasons are cited. First, some experts think the apparent warming trend may be just a random fluctuation in temperature. Second, if the temperature increase is real, some argue that it has yet to be proven that the cause is increased CO2. However, regardless of the effects on climate change, the carbon fertilization effect of increased CO2 levels is affecting crops each year. Some believe it would be difficult to cut CO2 emissions without sacrificing comfort, convenience, and economic growth. Carbon Dioxide as a Greenhouse Gas: http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/ghgemissions/gases/co2.html Effects of Carbon Fertilization of Crop Plants: http://www.news.ucdavis.edu/search/news_detail.lasso?id=9479 http://news.illinois.edu/news/14/0507CO2_AndrewLeakey.html http://news.heartland.org/newspaper-article/2013/10/29/carbon-dioxide-emissions-stimulating-15-trillion-crop-production Please consider and reply to the questions below: Do you think we should have more evidence that greenhouse warming is real before taking action? Or is it better to play it safe and act now to reduce CO2 emissions? The evidence of carbon fertilization of crop plants is readily available and accepted. Crop plants are producing less seed and less protein. Weed plants are overgrowing crop plants and reducing annual yields. Should we take action now to reduce CO2 emissions in order to prevent the loss of agricultural output and nutritious crops?

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BIOL 1001 Chapter Notes -Permafrost, Biome, The Vancouver Sun

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