Response to Question 9
For this week's assignment, we had to perform an experiment that models melting polar ice caps. I took ice cubes and placed them into a bowl, then placed the bowl in my freezer overnight. Now, I have to respond to the question, "What happens if the polar ice caps melt? " Tomorrow, I have to place my ice cubes in a bowl, pour water to fill the bowl, and then observe what happens.
For my experiment, my hypothesis is that when my "glacier" melts, the level of water will rise. I believe that this will be the same with the melting polar ice caps. Unfortunately, this will result in wide spread flooding, and consequently crops will be dissimated. I am not sure as to whether this will be a long term or a short term catastrophe. I will be sad either way.
But, I also have another question. For instance, what will happen to the wildlife that benefit from polar region now? Whales, polar bears, seals, penguins, walrus, and other animals that rely on the seasonal changes of the water and land? Not just for food, but for migration and mating?
What do you think?
3 comments:
I like your posting. I beleive that we need to look at the animals and their systems as being integrally tied together. As the polar ice caps go away so do they. An example of this would be the polar bear becoming more and more rare now-a-days. Another concern would be warmer waters reducing the overturn in the colder areas of the world. This should affect nutrient concentrations and in turn phytoplankton production. 40% of the world's primary prodction comes from these diatoms. Many things will be in trouble because of this. Nice post.
I share your concern for the wildlife. However, I have a concern for the impact on humans, as well. Residents who live in Arctic areas will be affected by the loss of sea ice. They will have to relocate. Residents living on the coastlines will experience flooding. The ramifications are great with respect to human and wildlife survival. The more we discuss this issue, the more dire the situation appears. Good post.
Patents can try this at home to teach.
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