Flashcards
Cold Ecosystems: Snow, Ice, and Wind (BIO 215T)
Cards in this deck (28)
- 1what is albedorefers to the reflectivity of a surface
- 2how is albedo measuredas a percentage of incoming solar radiation that is reflected back into space
- 3what surfaces have high albedo1. snow
2. ice - 4high albedoreflects more sunlight
- 5what surfaces have low albedo1. water
2. soil
3. forests
4. cities - 6low albedoabsorb more heat
- 7albedo and energy balancing1. regulates the earth's temperatures
2. lower albedo surfaces contribute to earth's warming by absorbing more energy - 8albedo and greenhouse gas effectincreased temp --> snow/ice melts --> darker surfaces revealed --> albedo reduced --> increase absorption --> increase temperature
- 9variability in albedo influenced by1. snow cover
2. dust deposition
3. biological activity
4. season
5. weather conditions
6. environmental factors - 10importance of monitoring albedo variabilityhelp predict melting trends and potential impacts on downstream ecosystems
- 11role of snow1. insulation and temperature
2. vegetation impact
3. hydrological role
4. albedo effect - 12snow and insulation and temperature1. prevents deep soil freezing
2. protects roots
3. moisture retention (water release supports spring growth) - 13snow and vegetation impact1. determines timing and length of growing season
2. protects against cold winds and desiccation - 14snow and hydrological role1. stores and releases freshwater
2. supports rivers and groundwater
3. sustains life during dry months - 15snow and albedo effect1. reflects sunlight
2. cooling earth's surface
3. affects regional temperature and weather patterns - 16snowmelt erosion causes1. soil erosion
2. changes in hydrology
3. agriculture impact
4. increased risk of natural disaster
5. impact on infrastructure
6. water quality issues
7. feedback loops - 17snowmelt and soil erosion1. nutrient-rich topsoil erosion
2. degrading landscapes
3. hindered root growth
4. could lead to barren land and desertification - 18snowmelt and changes in hydrologyfloods or drought impacting local and regional water cycles
- 19snowmelt and agricultural impact1. decreases soil fertility
2. lower crop yields
3. more difficult farming
4. reduce irrigation water (impacts crop production) - 20snowmelt and natural disasters1. rapid snowmelt causes floods
2. overwhelming rivers
3. increases landslides - 21snowmelt and infrastructure1. runoff erodes foundations
2. structural damages
3. maintenance costs - 22snowmelt and water quality issues1. carriers soil into rivers
2. reduces water quality (impact ecosystems and drinking supplies)
3. carries pollutants (fertilizers and harmful chemicals) - 23snowmelt and feedback loops1. alter regional weather patterns
2. affects precipitation and temperature - 24link between albedo and ice meltinglower albedo results in more rapid glacial melting
- 25long-term impacts of albedo and ice melting1. accelerated glacier retreat
2. impact downstream ecosystems, water resources, and sea levels - 26glacier algae and ice-albedo feedbackglacier algae darken ice surface--> reduces albedo --> increases absorption of solar energy -->accelerates
- 27wind effects on snow distributionwind-driven snow patterns
--> areas of erosion and accumulation
--> uneven snow cover (impacts soil and plant dynamics) - 28wind effects on snow distribution ecosystem consequences1. eroded areas may have reduced soil moisture and insulation
2. snow drifts --> late snowmelt --> affecting plant growth season
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- albedo, snowmelt erosion, importance of snow
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- Riley Kelly
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