fragile ecosystems under threat - tundra

Question 1

tundra meaning

fragile ecosystems meaning

Answer 1

treeless regions

-diverse but develop very slowly as plants and animals adapted to harsh climate and short growing season but sensitive to change
-once damaged, many never recover
-highly valuable to environmental stresses e.g. reduced snow cover and warmer temps

Question 2

Arctic features

Answer 2

• harsh env, long dark winters and short summers
  -growing season around 3 months and avg temp around 12 degrees - at this time, surface layer permafrost melts to form bogs and shallow lakes which attract insects in turn attracting migrating birds
  -winter = below freezing, plants (many animals rely on for food) must survive under snow to reemerge and flower quickly once temps rise
  -supports variety of large animals e.g. arctic foxes, grey wolves, snow geese

Question 3

global warming

Answer 3

-extensive sea ice melting in summer and greatly decreased snow cover and reduction in permafrost
-shrubs and trees previously couldn’t survive now grow there - also animals e.g. red fox in alaska spreading northwards, competing with arctic fox for food
-arctic region warming 2x faster than global avg (arctic amplification)

Question 4

arctic amplification

Answer 4

-less snow and ice = less sun radiation reflected back to space so more solar energy absorbed by darker ice free water - increase temps and reduce ice cover
-when permafrost melts, releases trapped carbon to atmosphere as co2 and methane
-less snow = more bare rock exposed - increasing absorption from sun

Question 5

changes to carbon cycle

Answer 5

• 14% earths carbon stored in permafrost
  -not all agree that permafrost melting releases stored co2 and methane as some studies show its stored in soil
  -warmer temps = accelerate decomp., releasing carbon but also increase nutrient release - encouraging growth who use c02 = neg feedback loop
• scientists at Alaskas Arctic Long Term Ecological Research Site ste up artifical warming plots over 20 years = shrub growth increased at expense of grasses - measurements show now change in co2 amount below ground meaning co2 released due to melting permafrost balanced by carbon inputs in soil
  -scientists cautious as = effects observed may be transitional, further warming = major co2 release and carbon sotred on land but in lakes streams and bogs, more carbon released than stored

Question 6

alpine convention

Answer 6

-international treaty of eu and alpine countries
-nature and landscape protection = more than 20% of alpine area is national park or protected - areas have large biodiversity - measures to protect, care, restore ecosystms and preserve env.
- water = alps rivers transport 216km² water annually to close regions - scientists predict less than 100years eastern alps will be ice free causing less snow, rainfall patterns and river discharge patterns change, greater flooding in winter and summer droughts - glacier retreats so water becomes lower quality from sediment

Question 7

stakeholders

Answer 7

• national gov
  -eu countries and countries receiving water
  -Alpine convention members
  -scientists
  -tourists

Question 8

stakeholders role

Answer 8

-scientists investigating = Alaskas arctic long term ecological research site investigating co2 output and plant growth correlating to climate change

-local residents = if alpine glaciers continue to melt or disappear - major water source loss for them<

Question 9

legislative protective framework

Answer 9

-alpine convention = international treaty to protect env while promoting econ dev.