"Arctic Biome." Blue Planet Biomes. Web. 28 Nov. 2011 <http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/tundra.htm>.
"Arctic Tundra Holds Global Warming Time Bomb : Discovery News." Discovery Channel : Science, History, Space, Tech, Sharks, News! Web. 28 Nov. 2011 <http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2008/08/25/warming-arctic-tundra-02.html>.
"Frozen Tundra I Alaska Travel Photos." Alaska Stock Photography - Alaska Pictures and Photos from the Last Frontier I Alaska Travel Photos. Web. 29 Nov. 2011. <http://www.alaska-in-pictures.com/frozen-tundra-5591-pictures.htm>.
"IPCC Third Assessment Report - Climate Change 2001 - Complete Online Versions | UNEP/GRID-Arendal - Publications - Other." UNEP/GRID-Arendal - Home. Web. 29 Nov. 2011. <http://www.grida.no/publications/other/ipcc_tar/?src=/climate/ipcc_tar/vol4/english/082.htm>.
National Digital Library : Home. Web. 29 Nov. 2011. <http://digitalmedia.fws.gov/>.
Pearce, Fred. "Part Four: Climate Change Debate Overheated after Sceptics Grasped 'hockey Stick' | Environment | Guardian.co.uk." Latest News, Sport and Comment from the Guardian | The Guardian. Web. 28 Nov. 2011. <http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/feb/09/hockey-stick-michael-mann-steve-mcintyre>.
"Recent Change of Arctic Tundra Ecosystems from a Net Carbon Dioxide Sink to a Source." Nature Publishing Group : Science Journals, Jobs, and Information. Web. 28 Nov. 2011 <http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v361/n6412/abs/361520a0.html>.
"The Tundra Biome." UCMP Berkeley. Web. 28 Nov. 2011 <http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibits/biomes/tundra.php#arctic>.
"WWF - Tundra Ecoregions." WWF - WWF. Web. 28 Nov. 2011 <http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/ecoregions/about/habitat_types/selecting_terrestrial_ecoregionsabitat11.cfm>.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Benefits
While the Arctic Tundra isn't very well suited for human living conditions, it continues to play a rather large role on people's everyday lives. One of its more important roles is as one of the world's major "carbon sinks." This means that it absorbs more carbon than it actually lets out. When plants die and decompose they release carbon into the air; however, plants in the Arctic Tundra freeze before they can decompose, thus trapping the carbon in the ice and preventing so much excess carbon from going into the atmosphere. Another benefit is that all of the frozen ice keeps sea levels relatively lower. Were it to melt, sea levels would rise and have a great effect on lives near coastal areas and on islands.
What Can Be Done?
In regards to people invading wildlife habitats, government could set up more conservation programs. Many areas in Alaska and Russia already protect wildlife through a "national biodiversity action plan," but this should be extended to other regions of the Arctic Tundra. In order to stop the ice from melting, each and every one of us need to become more aware of the effects we are causing on our planet and we need to exercise more environmental friendly practices. This means that people should avoid driving if they can or switch to more eco friendly cars and should also attempt to use cleaner forms of energy.
Future Prospects
(Source: http://www.grida.no/publications/other/ipcc_tar/?src=/climate/ipcc_tar/vol4/english/082.htm#surface)
Based on current human impacts, the future prospect for the Arctic Tundra looks bleak. While conservation groups might be able to preserve wildlife in this region from being disturbed by humans searching for oil, this ecosystem is likely to be severely affected by global warming, in the long run, if humans continue to maintain the same carbon output. The "hockey stick graph" above verifies that temperatures have already risen higher than they have been in the last 1000 years and will continue to increase if we don't do something about it. While some skeptics argue that this graph is invalid, many scientists still support it and have pointed out that even after revisions, the graph maintains the same shape.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Human Impact
Humans have had a bad impact on the Arctic Tundra and it will only continue to get worse if we aren't willing to make changes. One of the impacts humans are having is on the wildlife. People are increasingly moving here in search of oil and in doing so they are creating more roads and towns. These towns serve as obstacles for some animals as they are forced to cross through them in order to get to feeding grounds. These animals are either killed or scared off when they get near towns, and as a result, they are starving. Also, humans are using pesticides for insect control which is making its way to other animals including the large flocks of birds that migrate here.
One of the more severe, yet indirect impacts humans are having on the Arctic Tundra is caused by global warming. Carbon emissions from humans has increased the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere which has led to increases in global temperatures. Consequently, regions in the Arctic Tundra have become warmer. While this may not have a very great effect now, there will be much more severe consequences in the future if it continues. Warmer temperatures mean more layers of "permafrost" will melt. One effect this will have will be on plant and animal life that have already adapted to live in such cold climate in that some will struggle to survive in warmer temperature. Secondly, humans will be effected. Researchers from the University of Alaska estimate that there may be nearly 100 billion tons of carbon withheld in these frozen layers of soil (this is equivalent to 1/4 the amount already existing in the atmosphere). If these carbons were to be released, it would mean drastic climate change which would greatly affect our planet.
One of the more severe, yet indirect impacts humans are having on the Arctic Tundra is caused by global warming. Carbon emissions from humans has increased the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere which has led to increases in global temperatures. Consequently, regions in the Arctic Tundra have become warmer. While this may not have a very great effect now, there will be much more severe consequences in the future if it continues. Warmer temperatures mean more layers of "permafrost" will melt. One effect this will have will be on plant and animal life that have already adapted to live in such cold climate in that some will struggle to survive in warmer temperature. Secondly, humans will be effected. Researchers from the University of Alaska estimate that there may be nearly 100 billion tons of carbon withheld in these frozen layers of soil (this is equivalent to 1/4 the amount already existing in the atmosphere). If these carbons were to be released, it would mean drastic climate change which would greatly affect our planet.
Historically
(Source: http://digitalmedia.fws.gov/)
During Winter, the average temperature is about -30 degrees fahrenheit. The freezing cold temperature causes the ground to form in layers of frozen soil known as "permafrost." This makes it difficult for plants to grow because their roots can't penetrate the frozen soil. During the short summers, however, the average temperature increases, causing the upper layer of soil to melt and allowing plants to cultivate. A second effect of the increased temperature during the summer is the formation of small bodies of water. Since the lower layers of soil remain frozen, the water has nowhere to go so it just stays there, forming marshes and sometimes lakes. Despite these conditions, the Arctic Tundra is home to over 1700 types of plants. As for animals, while there are only 48 ground mammals that live here (including polar bears, arctic foxes, squirrels, caribou, and more), there is a high population of each species; and every year there are large masses of birds that migrate here to feed on the abundance of insects.
Location
The Arctic Tundra (represented by the green areas on the map) is located almost entirely in the northern hemisphere. More specifically, it primarily occupies regions of Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Russia, and Scandinavia.
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