Human impacts on cold environments Flashcards
define environmental fragility
one which lacks resistance to change
i.e. seemingly small changes can lead to high magnitude or long lasting consequences
define interdependence
when all the components of a system rely on each other in order for that system to function and for equilibrium to be maintained
what scenarios could trigger cold environments
sudden catastrophic events
natural disasters, long term climate change and human activity
how does resilience and fragility correlate
increased fragility and a less resilient environment means that there is a higher potential to collapse due to sudden shock and as a result there is less of an ability to recover to old level or equilibrium
what are the three major fragile components of cold environments
low quality and absorbance of soil
low biodiversity and overall productivity of flora and fauna - highly specialised species
reliance on freezing and low temperatures (vulnerability to a changing climate)
define tipping point
a point at which environmental change is unlikely to return to original conditions
what positive feedbacks are associated with cold environments
reduced albedo
Increase temperature = increased melting = low albedo = increased heat absorbed so increased weathered material on top of ice = increased exposed rock face as glacier receives = increased energy absorbed and conducted into the glacier which then warms up melting more ice
permafrost thaw
Increase temp = increase permafrost thaw which means trapped methane and carbon dioxide is released because of trapped methane chunks or decayed organic matter = increase greenhouse gases = increased temp
what are long term changes seen in fragile environments
Positive feedbacks and tipping points later to far-reaching changes to cold environments
what are short term changes seen in fragile environments
A fragile environment can be vulnerable to sudden catastrophic change like mass movement, landslides and jokuleup
