Glaciers and Icesheets

Question 1

What is the definition of land cover

Answer 1

The observed biophysical cover on the Earths surface

Question 2

Definition of land use

Answer 2

The arrangements, activity and inputs people undertake in a land cover type to produce, change or maintain it

Question 3

land use change

Answer 3

alterations in the human purposes assigned to the land

Question 4

Land cover change

Answer 4

shifts in the natural state of the biophysical environment

Question 5

LGM

Answer 5

approx 21000-18000 years ago
sea levels were 130 metres lower
ice covered 25%
global temp 6 lower

Question 6

HCO

Answer 6

approx 8000 years ago
rainfall 142% more than today
47% forest cover deserts decreased

Question 7

Today

Answer 7

11% ice sheet cover
over 16 milliom km2 of cover

Question 8

Where are icesheets/glaciers

Answer 8

Mountain glaciers can be found on all of the continents of the world with the exception of Australia. They exist typically at high elevations where the accumulation of snow out-paces the ablation–the loss of ice through melting or sublimation.

Question 9

processes causing melt

Answer 9

natural processes increased temp 0.1 degree
human activity has increased temp by 1 degree

Question 9

processes causing melt

Answer 9

Thermal expansion - 50%
Glacier and ice sheet ice loss - 42%
Sea water has .2 albedo reflects 20% of solar radiation
Ice has .8 albedo reflects 80% of solar radiation
more melt= more melt

Question 10

Impacts

Answer 10

natural processes increased temp 0.1 degree
human activity has increased temp by 1 degree
sea level has risen 0.2 m in the last 17 years
Safe levels of CO2 are 350 ppm. CO2 at 410ppm
The levels of carbon dioxide are much higher at 410ppm but the effects of methane are 80% more potent than that of CO2.
CO2 long lasting (100’s to 1000’ of years)
Methane responsible for 16% of temp increase
Methane high impact (86 times more impact than CO2 over 20 years) but shorter lived (9 years)