The Arctic
- Created by: CajaMorphew
- Created on: 08-03-16 21:55
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- Impacts of Global Warming on the Arctic
- Location
- Lies within the Arctic circle - 66.5 degree line of latitude.
- Consists of the northern parts of 8 countries:
- Canada
- Greenland
- Russia
- USA (Alaska)
- Iceland
- Norway
- Sweden
- Finland
- The area where averages temperatures of the warmest month are below 10C
- Consists of ice sheet surrounding North Pole
- Environmental Impacts
- Positive Ice Albedo Feedback
- 14% loss of Arctic ice between 2004 and 2005
- Ice reflects sunlight but ice is melting
- Less sunlight is reflected back so waters absorb more heat, increasing sea temperatures
- Warmer temperatures cause further ice melt
- Less sunlight is reflected back so waters absorb more heat, increasing sea temperatures
- Arctic Conveyor
- The flow of warm water and cold water that circulates around the world’s oceans
- In the North Atlantic, the sea water is very cold and saline, making it dense, so it sinks.
- This draws warmer waters in, drawing in water from the Tropics, across the ocean surface.
- This draws colder waters up to be warmed again.
- This draws warmer waters in, drawing in water from the Tropics, across the ocean surface.
- River Flow
- The increase in river flow is caused by warmer surface air temperatures.
- Rivers and lakes may drain as land underneath them thaws out whilst rising rivers could create new wetlands.
- Could shut off Atlantic drift and cool the whole of Northern Europe.
- Permafrost
- Areas of rock and soil where temperatures have been below freezing point for two years.
- Up to 40% of permafrost is expected to thaw, releasing large quantities of methane.
- Polar Oceans - Carbon Sink
- Cold dense waters around Antarctica absorb CO2, slowing global warming
- Carbon sinks have stayed the same since 1981 but emissions have increased by 40%.
- More CO2
- Carbon sinks have stayed the same since 1981 but emissions have increased by 40%.
- Cold dense waters around Antarctica absorb CO2, slowing global warming
- Positive Ice Albedo Feedback
- Ecological Impacts
- Tree Line
- Vegetation zones set to shift north with coniferous forests encroaching on tundra and ice deserts.
- Destabilise food webs
- Benefit Arctic agriculture
- Vegetation zones set to shift north with coniferous forests encroaching on tundra and ice deserts.
- Spruce Beetle
- Nearly 4 million acres of mature spruce forest on the Kenai Peninsula killed by growing population of spruce bark beetles.
- Higher temperatures causes faster maturing of beetles.
- Boreal Forest Fire (carbon sink)
- Increase in fires in Arctic Russia.
- 10 million hectares burn each year, losing 0.85 of world's coniferous forest.
- Account for 37% of world's carbon pool on land.
- Tundra Ecosystems
- Affected by increase in forest vegetation instead of Arctic vegetation.
- Alien species may invade.
- Increase in fires and insects impacts valuable habitats rich in lichen, fungi and birds.
- Affected by increase in forest vegetation instead of Arctic vegetation.
- Arctic Food Chain
- Warmer waters
- Reduced quantity of marine plants (small fish food).
- Affects animals further up the food chain.
- Seals
- Polar bears
- Affects animals further up the food chain.
- River patterns affect freshwater fish (Arctic Char, lake trout).
- Reduced quantity of marine plants (small fish food).
- Warmer waters
- Polar Bears
- Changes in river patterns affects fresh water fish:
- Arctic Char
- Lake trout
- Changes in river patterns affects fresh water fish:
- Tree Line
- Socio-Economic Impacts
- Destruction of VIllages
- Coasts exposed to ocean waves and storms - people forced to move inland.
- 24 Inuit
- 24 villages threatened by flooding in Alaska.
- Loss if Income
- Marine stocks decline.
- 80% of Inuits hunt caribou, fish and marine mammals - rely on hunting for income.
- Fishing areas becoming more dangerous.
- Nutrition and Diet
- Caribou and marine animals provide vital nutrition for Inuits.
- High protein needed for cold.
- Imports are expensive.
- Caribou and marine animals provide vital nutrition for Inuits.
- Destruction of VIllages
- Benefits?
- Energy Reserves
- Russian Flag
- Marine access to some Arctic resources, including offshore oil and gas, enhanced by reduction of sea ice.
- Russian Flag
- Fishing
- Some major Arctic marine fisheries to become more productive as climate warms.
- Cod and herring
- Some major Arctic marine fisheries to become more productive as climate warms.
- Tourism
- Shipping through key marine routes likely to increase . Summer navigation set to lengthen.
- Northern Sea Route and Northern Pa.ssage
- 30% of Inuit income from tourism in Canada.
- Shipping through key marine routes likely to increase . Summer navigation set to lengthen.
- Energy Reserves
- Location
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