EQ1 6.3 Flashcards
How does carbon influence the albedo effect?
- Increase in CO2 = increase in temps = permafrost melting = reduced albedo effect = increased solar absorption (reduced reflection) = increase in temps (+ve feedback)
How does terrestrial photosynthesis contribute to carbon sequestration?
Removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and stores it in the biosphere as organic matter in plants,
What controls terrestrial photosynthesis?
- Latitude
- Decomposition and weathering
- Local soil conditions
Differences in litter, soil and biomass stores
What controls oceanic photosynthesis?
- Light availability
- Nutrient availability - stratification of ocean (tropics are stratified = surface water is nutrient poor vs well mixed polar waters)
Climate change = warmer waters = increased stratification = global decline in productivity
What is the anthropogenic pertubation?
- Humans remove carbon from natural stores in slow geological cycle
- Half of increase is removed by fast (biological) cycle but other half of increase remains
Deforestation slowing biological cycle down
What are the impacts of carbon change on climate systems?
- CO2 = 20% climate forcing (change)
- Water vapour = 50% climate forcing
- CO2 provides initial GHG heating = more evaporation = formation of water vapour (water molecules absorb solar radiation)
But water vapour doesnt stay in the atmosphere for long (C,C,C) so short term effect
What are the impacts of carbon change on ecosystems?
- Warmer oceans = reduced phytoplankton = limited oceanic carbon sequestration
- On land, = rise in temps = extended growing season but dry, water-stressed plants = susceptible to fires = combustion
What are the impacts of carbon change on the hydrological cycle?
- ↑in temps = ↑in evaporation = ↑in water vapour = ↑CCC = ↑precipitation
- Higher temps = fall in water = larger stomata = more CO2 absorbed
