climate change Flashcards
(24 cards)
greenhouse gases
co2, ch4, N2o, h2o
ways of tracking emissions
direct, remote, satellite
greenhouse effect
a natural process where the atmosphere acts like a greenhouse, trapping and retaining heat from the sun
how many % of UV radiation reaches the Earth
70-75%
how many % of UV radiation is trapped by the ozone layer
25-30%
where does CO2 come from
cell respiration
outgassing
combustion of fossil fuels
deforestation (loss of carbon sinks)
where does methane come from
agriculture
thawing permafrost
extraction of fossil fuels
decaying organic matter in landfills
where does nitrous acid come from
agriculture
traffic exhausts
denitrification bacteria
positive feedback cycles in climate change
acceleration of peat decomposition
loss of albedo
drought & fires
outgassing
thawing permafrost
who does melting of landfast ice impact
emperor penguins (disrupts natural breeding cycle leading to decline)
walruses (loss of resting and migration sites)
forest browning
the loss of vitality in forests, leaves turn brown, dry and die due to drought, heat and stress from climate change –> become carbon sources
ocean currents driven by
wind, salinity, density, temperature and Earth’s rotation
how does melting of polar ice caps and glaciers affect currents
freshwater influx impacts salinity and density of water, potentially disrupting natural current patterns
nutrient upwelling
nutrient-rich water from the depths is brought to the surface by currents (phosphorus, nitrogen, iron) that numerous organisms living in the surface waters depend on like phytoplankton which is the source of food for a range of other organisms
what affects nutrient upwelling negatively
warmer surface water prevents cold nutrient rich water from coming up
changes in currents can alter the intensity and frequencies of the process
poleward and upslope range shifts
when organisms shift their distribution towards higher latitudes or elevations driven by change in climatic conditions
example of upslope range shift
Versicolored Barbet birds in Peru shifted to higher elevations in a mountain range to retreat from climate change and find more suitable living conditions
example of poleward range shift
Oak-Pine and Aspen-Birch are examples of tree species in North America that have during 1960-1990 exhibited range contractions in their southernmost distribution and expanded their distribution northward
(altered precipitation and rising temperatures created unfavorable conditions)
coral bleaching
rising temperature stresses corals and they expel photosynthetic zooxanthellae, losing their vibrant color and a source of vital energy, becoming weaker and more vulnerable to other stressors, potentially dying and the ecosystem collapsing
ocean acidification
the process of ocean water becoming increasingly acidified through co2 dissolving and forming carbonic acid, it decreasing ocean pH and weakening corals’ ability to form skeletons through calcification
it disrupts the delicate chemical balance of marine ecosystems
afforestation vs forest regeneration
growing forests of previously non-forested land vs regrowing existing forests
the 2 meanings of forest regeneration
- explains what happens in a forest after a disturbance
- the intentional or natural regeneration of the tree cover in a forest after total or partial destruction
approaches to slow down climate change
afforestation and restoration of peat-forming wetlands
why are peat-forming wetlands important
long-term carbon sinks by their waterlogged soils, they regulate water and preserve habitats, maintain biodiversity
