The changes vary across the Arctic; the largest decreases occur in maritime regions of the Arctic (Alaska, northern Scandinavia, and the Pacific coast region of Russia) [8]. Climate model projections indicate decreases in the duration of snow cover of 10 to 20% over most of the Arctic by 2050 and Scandinavia will experience the most loss (around 30 to 40%) [2].
2.4 Temperature
Average Arctic temperatures have increased at almost twice the global average rate in the past 100 years according to the IPCC. In 2010, air temperatures in the Arctic were 4° C warmer than the 1968-1996 reference period, according to NOAA. Temperatures have continued to increase with a more recent publication stating that parts of the Arctic were more than 16 degrees …show more content…
2.6 Sea Ice loss and glacier retreat
Satellite-based data record starting in1978 ice cover in the Arctic has been declining at the rate of about 5% per decade [4]. A slight recovery in the sea ice cover was observed in 2008/2009, following a major decline of the ice in 2007 [4]. In February 2016, Arctic sea ice extent averaged 14.22 million square kilometres, the lowest February extent in the satellite record [11] (see figure 4).
Reductions in glacial ice mass have been observed; there was a 30% reduction in the glacier length between 1950 and 1990 [8]. The glaciers of the Gulf of Alaska lost mass at an average rate of 88 ± 15 Gt yr−1 for the years 2004-2006, slowing to 70 ± 11 Gt yr−1 for the years 2007 to 2009 [10].
2.7 Land Cover and vegetation
It has been observed that there have been changes in tree line and a decrease in tundra area with the replacement of ground cover by shrubs in northern Alaska and several locations in northern Eurasia [8].
3 Impacts of Arctic climate …show more content…
As the ice is breaking up progressively earlier each spring, there is less time to hunt for seals. This results in longer fasting periods, as well as lower fat stores, decreased access to denning areas, and fewer cubs with lower survival rates. From modelling habitat needs of polar bears, and projected sea ice conditions, it is forecast that approximately two thirds of the world’s polar bears could be extirpated by mid-century [13].
Reduced Arctic sea ice may impact marine ecosystems. It favours a phytoplankton–zooplankton’ dominated ecosystem rather than a typical ‘sea-ice algae–benthos’ ecosystem. This switch may reduce the export of organic carbon and decreased pelagic-benthic coupling [8].
3.2 Impacts on human
2.4 Temperature
Average Arctic temperatures have increased at almost twice the global average rate in the past 100 years according to the IPCC. In 2010, air temperatures in the Arctic were 4° C warmer than the 1968-1996 reference period, according to NOAA. Temperatures have continued to increase with a more recent publication stating that parts of the Arctic were more than 16 degrees …show more content…
2.6 Sea Ice loss and glacier retreat
Satellite-based data record starting in1978 ice cover in the Arctic has been declining at the rate of about 5% per decade [4]. A slight recovery in the sea ice cover was observed in 2008/2009, following a major decline of the ice in 2007 [4]. In February 2016, Arctic sea ice extent averaged 14.22 million square kilometres, the lowest February extent in the satellite record [11] (see figure 4).
Reductions in glacial ice mass have been observed; there was a 30% reduction in the glacier length between 1950 and 1990 [8]. The glaciers of the Gulf of Alaska lost mass at an average rate of 88 ± 15 Gt yr−1 for the years 2004-2006, slowing to 70 ± 11 Gt yr−1 for the years 2007 to 2009 [10].
2.7 Land Cover and vegetation
It has been observed that there have been changes in tree line and a decrease in tundra area with the replacement of ground cover by shrubs in northern Alaska and several locations in northern Eurasia [8].
3 Impacts of Arctic climate …show more content…
As the ice is breaking up progressively earlier each spring, there is less time to hunt for seals. This results in longer fasting periods, as well as lower fat stores, decreased access to denning areas, and fewer cubs with lower survival rates. From modelling habitat needs of polar bears, and projected sea ice conditions, it is forecast that approximately two thirds of the world’s polar bears could be extirpated by mid-century [13].
Reduced Arctic sea ice may impact marine ecosystems. It favours a phytoplankton–zooplankton’ dominated ecosystem rather than a typical ‘sea-ice algae–benthos’ ecosystem. This switch may reduce the export of organic carbon and decreased pelagic-benthic coupling [8].
3.2 Impacts on human