In Arctic areas, climate change is progressing faster than in any other location on Earth. Researchers at the University of Helsinki have participated in two new studies indicating that the changes are astonishingly fast. Many original species of Arctic areas are in jeopardy, as global warming causes species from southern areas to migrate north, where they occupy the living space of the original species.
The renowned Science magazine will publish a joint article by 25 researchers specialising in Arctic ecology. Olivier Gilg, researcher at the Faculty of Biosciences at the University of Helsinki, is one of the article's contributing authors. The article was written under the supervision of Eric Post, professor at Penn State University.
The study results presented in the article indicate that the Arctic eco-system has experienced immense changes in the last twenty years. At many levels, the changes impact the eco-system services that the environment provides for people: the effects extend to the adequacy of natural resources, food production, climate temperature, and result in changes to the landscape. The changes in the northern nature can be interpreted as an advance warning of what is to be expected on all latitudes.
Arctic foxes and northern birch areas are in trouble
The results show that spring begins considerably sooner than before. The blossoming and pollination period of plants starts as much as twenty days sooner in comparison to the situation ten years ago. Predators are in dire straits because nutrition is now available too soon in relation to the otherwise favourable nesting period. The distribution of many insects has moved even more north. European winter moths, for example, have destroyed extensive birch areas in Lapland after moving north. Species invading new areas might supersede the original species in the area this is already happening to Arctic foxes, which are currently being overrun b
'/>"/>
| Contact: Ilkka Hanski ilkka.hanski@helsinki.fi 358-919-157-745 University of Helsinki Source:Eurekalert |
Related biology news :
1. When proteins change partners
2. Scientists seek new emphases in Arctic climate change research
3. New robot travels across the seafloor to monitor the impact of climate change on deep-sea ecosystems
4. Time to tap climate change-combating potential of the worlds ecosystems
5. Time to tap climate-change-combating potential of the worlds ecosystems
6. Shrinking Bylot Island glaciers tell story of climate change
7. Symposium to discuss geoengineering to fight climate change at the ESA Annual Meeting
8. Climate change poker: The barriers which are preventing a global agreement
9. Rodent size linked to human population and climate change
10. Douglas-fir, geoducks make strange bedfellows in studying climate change
11. Sex in the Caribbean: Environmental change drives evolutionary change -- eventually
| Copyright © 2003-2012 Bio-Medicine. All rights reserved. ABOUT | CONTACT US | DISCLAIMER | PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS AND CONDITIONS |  |