Overview and key changes observed in the Arctic case study!❄️🔥✨☃️ Flashcards
What are the consequences of rapid changes in the Arctic region due to global warming?
The Arctic region is experiencing some of the most rapid and dramatic changes due to global warming, with significant consequences for local ecosystems, human communities, and global climate systems.
List the names of the key changes observed in the Arctic region during climate change.
*Temperature Rise
*Sea ice decline
*Permafrost thawing
*Glacial retreat
*Changes in ecosystems
Describe how the Arctic’s temperature is rising.
The Arctic is warming at more than twice the rate of the global average, a phenomenon known as Arctic amplification. Since the late 20th century, temperatures in the Arctic have increased by 2-3°.
How has the sea ice been affected by climate change in the Arctic region?
The extent and thickness of sea ice have diminished substantially. Summer sea ice extent has decreased by about 40% since satellite measurements began in 1979. This trend threatens the habitat of species such as polar bears, seals, and walruses.
What is Permafrost thawing and how does it contribute to global warming?
Permafrost, the frozen ground that underlies much of the Arctic, is thawing. This process releases stored carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere, contributing to further global warming.
What is happening to Arctic glaciers and ice caps?
Arctic glaciers and ice caps are retreating rapidly, contributing to global sea level rise. For example, Greenland’s ice sheet is losing mass at an accelerating rate.
How does global warming affect ecosystems?
Warming temperatures and altered ice conditions are impacting Arctic ecosystems. Species adapted to cold environments face habitat loss, while new species are migrating into the region, disrupting existing ecological balances.
