Animal Habitat Loss and Survival
Animals like birds, and fish depend on glaciers for survival. Some bird species depend on fish that are found in fresh melting waters of a glacier. As sea temperature increases and the rising of sea levels, sea-plants that these fish flourish on will be lost, reducing the number of fish, which in-turn will make survival of many bird species difficult. For corals, they require sunlight for photosynthesis to survive and thrive. As the sea level rises, enough sunlight will not reach these corals, with a possibility of being killed. Fish that feed on these corals will not have enough food to survive. It will reduce the fish humans catch each year.
Polar Bear jumping on to another piece of ice.
On May 14, 2008 Polar bears were officially listed in the U.S endangered
species category. As the glaciers melt, sea level rises making polar bears lose their homes. Causing not only that but breeding difficulties but also drownings. The thickness of the ice is being reduced each year. The threat of the melting sea ice to polar bears are not only in just one area but it is occurring throughout the Arctic ecosystem. It also increases the risk of starvation and death. The Arctic ice melting is a major survival challenge for polar bears and other ice- dependent species that live near other glaciers.
Greenland. Once an enormous glacier.
Monitoring Glaciers
Researchers have found they can obtain a measure of average global temperatures by using satellites to monitor heat-sensitive objects on the ground. Of these objects, glaciers are among the most reliable indicators of climate change. Monitoring glaciers is not an easy task. Small glaciers are good measures of climate change. Some glaciers are too large to measure accurately and others are unpredictable. Scientist must take satellite images of the ice for a minimum of five years to compare the results. After there is enough measurements from many different areas of the world which is gathered, the researchers can determine whether the earth is growing warmer or cooler.
Glaciers and Animals 101
By Mary and Paige :)
How do Glaciers affect Animals?
Animal Habitat Loss and Survival
Animals like birds, and fish depend on glaciers for survival. Some bird species depend on fish that are found in fresh melting waters of a glacier. As sea temperature increases and the rising of sea levels, sea-plants that these fish flourish on will be lost, reducing the number of fish, which in-turn will make survival of many bird species difficult. For corals, they require sunlight for photosynthesis to survive and thrive. As the sea level rises, enough sunlight will not reach these corals, with a possibility of being killed. Fish that feed on these corals will not have enough food to survive. It will reduce the fish humans catch each year.
species category. As the glaciers melt, sea level rises making polar bears lose their homes. Causing not only that but breeding difficulties but also drownings. The thickness of the ice is being reduced each year. The threat of the melting sea ice to polar bears are not only in just one area but it is occurring throughout the Arctic ecosystem. It also increases the risk of starvation and death. The Arctic ice melting is a major survival challenge for polar bears and other ice- dependent species that live near other glaciers.
Monitoring Glaciers
Researchers have found they can obtain a measure of average global temperatures by using satellites to monitor heat-sensitive objects on the ground. Of these objects, glaciers are among the most reliable indicators of climate change. Monitoring glaciers is not an easy task. Small glaciers are good measures of climate change. Some glaciers are too large to measure accurately and others are unpredictable. Scientist must take satellite images of the ice for a minimum of five years to compare the results. After there is enough measurements from many different areas of the world which is gathered, the researchers can determine whether the earth is growing warmer or cooler.
Websites that We Used:
http://www.worldviewofglobalwarming.org/pages/alaska.htmlhttp://www.buzzle.com/articles/the-effects-of-melting-ice-glaciers.html
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/Glaciers/