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The biological consequences of global warming as a result of an enhanced…
The biological consequences of global warming as a result of an enhanced greenhouse effect
It is important to realise that the greenhouse effect is a natural, essential process. Without it, the average temperature on Earth would be about 17 degrees C and life would be impossible
The major greenhouse gases
Carbon Dioxide
Reasons for increase
Growing world energy demand leading to increased fossil fuel combustion
Destruction of vegetation; e.g. rainforests, leading to a decline in global photosynthesis and increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere due to the burning of cleared vegetation
Combustion of fossil fuels
Methane
Anaerobic bacteria in marshes and in the guts of ruminants
Decomposition of organic material
Leakage from gas pipes and coal mines
Reasons for increase
Increase in ruminant population
Increase in area given over to landfill
Increase in area given over to rice paddy
Nitrous Oxide
Combustion of fossil fuels
Denitrifying bacteria acting on nitrates and nitrites
Reasons for increase
Increase use of fossil fuels
Increased cultivation of soil
Increased use of nitrate fertilizers
Ozone
Reaction product of car exhaust pollutants and sunlight
Reasons for increase
Increased use of fossil fuels for transport
CFCs
Reasons for increase
Increased use of aerosols and refrigerators (although many CFCs are now banned in developed countries)
Coolants, propellants and expanders
Increasing Temperatures
Change in pattern of succession because of temperature increase
Will benefit some species more than others
Change in rainfall pattern e.g. increase in intensity/frequency -> a change in the distribution of grasslands and savannahs. Desiccation of wetlands
Increase in temperature of freshwaters
Change in species distribution including local extinction
Northern migration of boreal forests
Increase in sea level; increase in storms
Increase in coastal erosion, which lead to increase in habitat loss e.g. marshes, dunes, mangroves and coral reefs
Salinisation of estuaries, coastal rivers and coastal soils
Forest productivity increase because of temperature = a limiting factor, or forest productivity decrease because of desiccation, wilting, defoliation and an increase in fires.
Glacial melting at poles = a dramatic change to food webs, decrease in productivity
What can be done?