scholarly journals A review of ecological impacts of global climate change on persistent organic pollutant and mercury pathways and exposures in arctic marine ecosystems

2015 ◽  
Vol 61 (4) ◽  
pp. 617-628 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa A. Mckinney ◽  
Sara Pedro ◽  
Rune Dietz ◽  
Christian Sonne ◽  
Aaron T. Fisk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Sea Ice ◽  
Trophic Interactions ◽  
Global Climate Change ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Marine Ecosystems ◽  
Arctic Sea Ice ◽  
Ecological Impacts ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Ecological Changes

Abstract Bioaccumulative and biomagnifying contaminants, such as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and mercury (Hg), have for decades been recognized as a health concern in arctic marine biota. In recent years, global climate change (GCC) and related loss of arctic sea ice have been observed to be driving substantial change in arctic ecosystems. This review summarizes findings documenting empirical links between GCC-induced ecological changes and alterations in POP and Hg exposures and pathways in arctic marine ecosystems. Most of the studies have reported changes in POP or Hg concentrations in tissue in relation to GCC-induced changes in species trophic interactions. These studies have typically focused on the role of changes in abundance, habitat range or accessibility of prey species, particularly in relation to sea ice changes. Yet, the ecological change that resulted in contaminant trend changes has often been unclear or assumed. Other studies have successfully used chemical tracers, such as stable nitrogen and carbon isotope ratios and fatty acid signatures to link such ecological changes to contaminant level variations or trends. Lower sea ice linked-diet changes/variation were associated with higher contaminant levels in some populations of polar bears, ringed seals, and thick-billed murres, but the influence of changing trophic interactions on POP levels and trends varied widely in both magnitude and direction. We suggest that future research in this new area of GCC-linked ecotoxicology should focus on routine analysis of ancillary ecological metrics with POP and Hg studies, simultaneous consideration of the multiple mechanisms by which GCC and contaminant interactions can occur, and targeted research on changing exposures and toxicological effects in species known to be sensitive to both GCC and contaminants.

scholarly journals Rock anchoring in Karimun Jawa, Indonesia: Ecological impacts and management implications

2008 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 242 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Maynard ◽  
K. R. N. Anthony ◽  
S. Afatta ◽  
L. F. Anggraini ◽  
D. Haryanti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Global Climate Change ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Ecological Impacts ◽  
Coastal Development ◽  
Marine Resources ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
The World

Coral reefs everywhere are under increasing pressure from a suite of stressors. Recently, threats associated with climate change have been brought closer into focus and now dominate discussions and debate relating to the coral reef crisis (Hughes et al. 2003, Hoegh-Guldberg et al. 2007). Indeed, mitigating local stressors on coral reefs has been given less priority and publicity than the global need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Interestingly though, recent surveys demonstrate that most reef scientists agree that coral reefs are under greater threat from impacts associated with human population growth, coastal development, and overfishing than from global climate change (Kleypas and Eakin 2007). This is especially true for the reefs in SE Asia and the Pacific, which make up the bulk of the reefs in the world (Bryant et al. 1998). In these areas, regulations to ensure that anthropogenic activities near and on coral reefs are conducted sustainably, such as development, sanitation, fishing and even tourism; either do not exist or are rarely enforced due to a lack of resources. Here, we present one such example from Indonesia, one of the most densely populated countries in the world, a country where over 60% of the population relies in some way on marine resources.

scholarly journals Quantifying Early Indicators of Global Climate Change

2006 ◽  
Vol 30 ◽  
pp. 97-99
Author(s):  
Diane Debinski
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Global Climate Change ◽  
Human Activities ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Warning System ◽  
Ecological Communities ◽  
The North ◽  
Ecological Changes ◽  
Montane Meadows ◽  
Associated Species

One of the more significant voids remaining in our scientific understanding of global climate change is the relationship between climate change and the resulting changes expected in ecological communities. Because a large proportion of the North American landscape has been modified by human activities, it is difficult to assess whether ecological changes are being caused by human activities or climate change. Thus, we must look to landscapes where the modification has been less severe. One of the most pristine landscapes in North America where scientists can study natural processes is that of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Within this system some of the more sensitive habitats are the montane meadows. These habitats exist along a continuum from very dry (xeric) sagebrush meadows, to flowering (mesic) meadows, to wet (hydric) sedge meadows. Because of the relatively short growing season, species in these meadows can exhibit quick changes in distribution and abundance relative to climatic changes. My research uses satellite images and field surveys to evaluate how meadow habitats and their associated species respond to interannual changes in precipitation and soil moisture. I am examining the plant and butterfly communities to measure the response. Over 100 species of butterflies occur in this area and many are closely associated with specific types of meadows. This research is significant because it will provide an early warning system for assessing the effects of climate change. Documenting changes in montane meadows will assist in understanding how climate change may affect more highly managed areas of the globe.

scholarly journals Role of sea ice in global climate change pondered

Eos ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 80 (29) ◽  
pp. 317 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gavin A. Schmidt ◽  
James E. Hansen
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Sea Ice ◽  
Global Climate Change ◽  
Global Climate

The role of Antarctic sea ice in global climate change

1996 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 371-401 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward Hanna
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Sea Ice ◽  
Global Climate Change ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Antarctic Sea Ice ◽  
Current State ◽  
Ocean Models ◽  
State Of Research ◽  
The Antarctic

Taking a distinct interdisciplinary focus, a critical view is presented of the current state of research concerning Antarctic sea-ice / atmosphere / ocean interaction and its effect on climate on the interannual timescale, with particular regard to anthropogenic global warming. Sea-ice formation, morphology, thickness, extent, seasonality and distribution are introduced as vital factors in climatic feedbacks. Sea-ice / atmosphere interaction is next discussed, emphas izing its meteorological and topographical influences and the effects of and on polar cyclonic activity. This leads on to the central theme of sea ice in global climate change, which contains critiques of sea-ice climatic feedbacks, current findings on the representation of these feedbacks in global climatic models, and to what extent they are corroborated by observational evidence. Sea-ice / ocean interaction is particularly important. This is discussed with special reference to polynyas and leads, and the use of suitably coupled sea-ice / ocean models. A brief review of several possible climatic forcing factors is presented, which most highly rates a postulated ENSO-Antarctic sea-ice link. Sea-ice / atmosphere / ocean models need to be validated by adequate observations, both from satellites and ground based. In particular, models developed in the Arctic, where the observational network allows more reasonable validation, can be applied to the Antarctic in suitably modified form so as to account for unique features of the Antarctic cryosphere. Benefits in climatic modelling will be gained by treating Antarctic sea ice as a fully coupled component of global climate.

scholarly journals NASA Climate Time Machine by M. Boeck

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shane Allan
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Sea Ice ◽  
Science Fiction ◽  
Global Climate Change ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
The United States ◽  
Further Education ◽  
Time Machine ◽  
Sea Levels ◽  
University Of Alberta

Boeck, Moore et al. “NASA Climate Time Machine”, animated by Goddard Scientific Visualization Studio, Moore Boeck and CReSIS. NASA's Global Climate Change website, https://climate.nasa.gov/interactives/climate-time-machine.The NASA Climate Time Machine site is part of that agency’s Global Climate Change initiative and is designed to provide users with a visual guide to the changes the planet has undergone in recent history to further education about climate change, as well as the potential effects of such change on the world.The site proper is divided up into four sections; Sea Ice, which shows the reduction of polar ice from 1979 through to 2015; Sea Levels, examining the consequences of melting sea ice and the consequent raising of sea levels on the United States’ states which border the Gulf of Mexico; Carbon Dioxide, which displays global CO² levels from the start of the millennium to 2015; and finally Global Temperature, which tracks the changes in the world’s temperature since 1884.The Climate Time Machine is a good way for children to visualize some of what they’ve learned in class in a dramatic fashion. This is particularly evident in the case of the sea level section as it shows both the cities of Miami and New Orleans disappearing underwater. All of the pages provide some level of interaction in the form of sliders which advance the changes on a large map. There is also some explanatory text on each page to provide context for what is being displayed. This is perhaps the weakest aspect of the site as there is not much to read and what is there is not really designed for younger readers. Ideally this would be used as part of a wider discussion in class or with a more learned adult, such as a parent, if only to give a better idea of what the child is seeing. Overall though, the simplicity of the site is a benefit and comes from a very authoritative source. Suggested age group: 12+. Highly Recommended: 3 out of 4 starsReviewer: Shane AllanShane is an MLIS student at the University of Alberta and is currently employed as a cataloger, reorganizing a collection of curriculum materials. His favourite children's book is the Transall Saga by Gary Paulsen for its mix of adventure, fantasy and science fiction. It shows the value and importance of communication, companionship, and determination in the face of tremendous odds.

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