Warming-induced glacier retreat could create novel ecosystems
1 year, 4 months ago

Warming-induced glacier retreat could create novel ecosystems

The Hindu  

Climate change caused by human activity under a high-emissions scenario may halve the area covered by glaciers outside the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets by the end of the century, as per a study published in Nature. “Under a high-emissions scenario, about half of 2020 glacier area could be lost by 2100,” the authors write. “However, this could be curbed by a low-emissions scenario, which would reduce this loss to approximately 22%.” As per the modelling exercise undertaken by Jean-Baptiste Bosson from the Conservatory of Natural Areas of Haute-Savoie, Annecy, France and others, the loss of glacier area will range from 22% to 51%, depending on the climate scenario. It would mean that by 2100, the decline of all glaciers outside the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets may produce “new terrestrial, marine and freshwater ecosystems over an area ranging from the size of Nepal to that of Finland ”. In the deglaciated areas, the new ecosystems will be characterised by “extreme to mild ecological conditions” encompassing terrestrial, freshwater and even marine habitats.

History of this topic

Post-glacial ecosystems could help slow down climate change: Study
3 months, 1 week ago
As glaciers melt, a new study seeks protection of ecosystems that emerge in their place
1 year, 4 months ago
Climate change: Major glaciers worldwide to disappear by 2050
2 years, 1 month ago

Discover Related