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Climate change at the antacrtic - Coggle Diagram
Climate change at the antacrtic
Central Antarctic
Increased snowfall
changes in the abundance and distribution of flora and fauna feeding/breeding
Ozone hole
Presumed to heal over the next 60 years
has shielded much of the continent from much of the effects of global warming
intensified polar vortex (rinds of winds around Antarctica)
Increased by about 15% around tne southern ocean so have acted to isolate much of Antarctica from the rest of the world
little change in surface temp. or snowfall over the last 30 years
increased ice coverage in Ross sea + east Antarctic region
increased winds have resulted in a distinct warming of average summer/autumn temp. as they bring warm moist air from the ocean onto the peninsula
Lead to a decrease sea ice cover and increased precipitation
90% of glaciers have retreated over recent years
Larsen B shelf diappeared in March 2002
increased harmful UV-B radiation
Southern ocean
Temperatures of the southern ocean have increased by 1C since 1955
Sea expected to decrease by 1/3
Increased rainfall on the coasts
0.2C per decade (more than global average)
May cause species to go extinct as they can't survive warmer temperatures
Ocean acidification
CO2 reacts with saltwater to create carbonic acid that depletes calcium carbonate in the water, essential for phytoplankton in shell formation
predicted sea level rise of 4-6 meters
Global sea level rise of 1.4m by 2100
has become less effective in absorbing CO2 as winds have increased CO2 rich water and therefore no diffusion
Western Antarctic
This region has experienced 3C rise in just 50 years
Ice sheets have thinned
Particularly sensitive to even small temperature rises
Most melt in this sector
Antarctic peninsula
Since 1960 the snowmelt has increased in Marguerite Bay
Period of snowmelt has extended by 90 days and this means increased colonization by plants
This continent's only native flowering plants, hair grass and yellow-flowered pearlwort are spreading
So invasive grasses and lichens. green moss is growing 3x as fast as it did in the past
Temperatures have risen by about 2.5C
Winter air has warmed more than 10F since 1950s
At least 596/674 glaciers are in retreat
Adélie penguins, fur and elephant seals, gentoo and chinstrap penguins, petrals, and sheathbills all live along the coast of Antarctica
Distribution has changed and poulations have collapsed, some by 90% or more
Decline in antarctic krill that rely on sea ice for habitat, 80% decrease since 1970s
Krill is a main food for penguins, whales and seals