Melting of Glaciers and Ice Sheets

>. They are the world’s largest reservoir of fresh water,

holding approximately 75%
>Over the past century, most of the world’s mountain glaciers
and the ice sheets in both Greenland and Antarctica have lost
mass. Retreat of this ice occurs when the mass balance (the
difference between accumulation of ice in the winter versus
ablation or melting in the summer) is negative such that more
ice melts each year than is replaced
>When the temperature exceeds a particular level or warm
temperatures last for a long enough period, and/or there is
insufficient precipitation, glaciers and ice sheets will lose
mass. (eg ::Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa)
>East and west antarctica balance (its negative)
Impact ::
>severe water shortages as the glaciers disappear
>reduced capability to irrigate crops as freshwater dams and
reservoirs more frequently go dry
>As the volume of runoff decreases, then the energy, urban,
and agricultural infrastructures of such locations are likely to
be stressed
>the melting of glaciers and ice sheets adds water to the
oceans, contributing to sea level rise
NOTE::
the melting back of sea ice (e.g., in the Arctic and the floating
ice shelves) will not directly contribute to sea level rise
because this ice is already floating on the ocean (and so
already displacing its mass of water). However, the melting
back of this ice can lead to indirect contributions on sea level.
 Sea level rise
Causes
>As climate change increases ocean temperatures, initially at
the surface and over centuries at depth, the water will
expand, contributing to sea level rise due to thermal
expansion. Thermal expansion is likely to have contributed to
about 2.5 cm of sea level rise during the second half of the
20th century , with the rate of rise due to this term having
increased to about 3 times this rate during the early 21st
century.
>geomorphic process.
>The third process that can cause sea level to rise is the loss
of ice mass from Greenland and Antarctica.

Impacts of sea level rise

>Over 600 million people live in coastal areas that are less
than 10 meters above sea level, and two-thirds of the world’s
cities that have populations over five million are located in
these at-risk areas . If relocation is delayed or populations do
not evacuate during times when the areas are inundated by
storm surges, very large numbers of environmental refugees
are likely to result.
>Effects are likely to include coastal erosion, wetland and
coastal plain flooding, salinization of aquifers and soils, and a
loss of habitats for fish, birds, and other wildlife and plants
>As a result, very large numbers of wetland and swamp
species are likely at serious risk. In addition, species that rely
upon the existence of sea ice to survive are likely to be
especially impacted as the retreat accelerates, posing the
threat of extinction for polar bears, seals, and some breeds of
penguins
Challenges
> Unfortunately, many of the nations that are most vulnerable
to sea level rise do not have the resources to prepare for it
>Another possibility for some island nations is the danger of
losing their fresh-water supplies as sea level rise pushes
saltwater into their aquifers.
>island nations do not have enough land at higher elevations
to support displaced coastal populations
 Ocean Acidification

>about a third of human emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2),

transferring most of it to the deep ocean
>Dissolved CO2 creates carbonic acid, which reduces the
ocean pH level, making it more acidic
>Historically, ocean pH has averaged around 8.17, meaning
that ocean waters are slightly basic. But with the rising
CO2 concentration causing acidification, today the pH levels
are around 8.09, edging the waters closer to neutral
Impact
>. A decrease in ocean pH would affect marine life by
lowering the amount of calcium carbonate (the substance
created when CO2 is initially dissolved) in the water. Calcium
carbonate is the substance used by many marine organisms
(including coral, shellfish, and mollusks) to build their shells .
 Thermohaline Circulation

>As ocean surface waters warm and become less likely to

sink, a smaller amount of cold water is brought up to the
surface, impacting circulation patterns and marine life. In
addition, warmer temperatures will lead to more evaporation.
When the water evaporates, the salt stays behind. An
increase in salinity changes the density of the water, and
therefore affects circulations patterns .
>Because the circulation plays a key role in ocean
temperature patterns around the globe, weather patterns are
also likely to be disrupted.
 Forest fire
>After deforestation , forest fire is the most important cause
of habitat destruction
>usually occur in the dry season (march -may) in india when
there is no rain and dry leaves and twigs litter the forest floor.

Causal factors
----Most of the forest fires in India are deliberately set by
small-scale farmers or landless rural people
----Another most important causes of forest fires is related to
the need for fodder for grazing animals
----In central India, the production of tendu leaves is another
major cause of forest fire.
----Mahua pickers burn the dry leaves under the trees to get a
clean patch of floor to facilitate flower collection
 Effects of fire
>Regeneration is killed or dies back, thereby delaying the
establishment of a new crop and extending the rotation
>Mortality may result from intense fires in older crops,
although the trees develop thick bark that protects them.
>Repeated burning leads to site deterioration, changes in soil
nutrient status and accelerated erosion due to the
destruction of the ground flora; these also reduce the rate of
growth.
>Timber quality is affected by scorching from the base of the
tree, which damages the cambium, leading to defective butt
logs. Fungal infection may occur through the damaged tissues
and cause rot.
 Modern forest fire control project
>Physical prevention measures have concentrated on the
construction and maintenance of fuel breaks in the
mountainous terrain, and the use of mechanized equipment
(tractors with plough) to construct fire breaks in the plains to
protect eucalyptus plantations. Other preventive measures
include prescribed burning of roadside fuel loadings,
particularly elephant grass, especially in highly fire-prone
locations.
>Educational measures to increase awareness of the danger
and damage due to forest fire have also been demonstrated
by the project
>A key element of a successful fire protection programme lies
in the early detection of forest fires
>fire towers/ restricting entry.
Legal provision
Indian forest act 1972 (setting a forest on fire or even
leaving a fire burning near a forest is a punishable offence )
Wildlife protection act 1972