Wild Weather Can Send Greenhouse Gases Spiraling
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/wild-weather-can-send-greenhouse-gases-spiraling/
The climate has a tendency to change through feedback effects. For example, the melting of the sea ice exposes dark water, which then it is able to absorb more heat. As well in the warming of the arctics, releases carbon dioxide from the permafrost. Scientist have been studying the effects of the climate change in the oceans, which have effects such as heatwaves, droughts and storms which then affects the plant growth in many areas. The CARBO- Extreme project is dedicated to uncover the extreme events that affect the terrestrial carbon cycles. They focus on how the frequency of climate will change the responses of plants and ecosystems. The observations made from the data of CO2 measurements where that the events reduce plant productivity by 4% specifically in southern Europe and in northern Europe by 1%, explained the scientist Reichstein. The most extreme events turned the forest and grasslands from carbon sink (receiving) to sources (donating). This caused to break the record of the greatest heatwaves in Europe, led to the release of more CO2 than it is normally locked up over four years, and responses are hard to predict. Scientist Ciais explains " In some ecosystems, small disturbances can have a large impact. In others, even significant anomalies seem to cause only little harm". CARBO continues to experiment, that stimulate drought in different climates and vegetation types. Some results where that the grassland drought markedly slowed photosynthesis, and had a smaller effect on soil respiration, the result was a decline in carbon uptake by the plants.
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I choose this article because the climate changes drastically from one day to another. One day it can be extremely hot, and the next we have to leave our home with a sweater. It is interesting to know what really happens, and what are the causes for the climate. The main reason for the change of climate, is the amount of carbon in the atmosphere. As explained in the article once there is an abundance of carbon dioxide release into the atmosphere, the higher the temperature it is, as in Europe with the record breaking heatwave. Once the carbon is releases, it is hard to predict what the consequences are for the environment. The increase of carbon as well had an effect with the plants, for example in an experiment form CARBO, it showed that the grasslands where not able to absorb the carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and release it for respiration which then will have an effect with the rest of the environment. There are some ways that stopping the increase of carbon dioxide. If everyone is inform and participates many changes will help. Such as if not necessary to use the automobile, walking is a better idea, as well with the amount of electricity used can be reduce. If everyone participates, then the places will be more enjoyable with a better climate.
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