Lakes Losing Up to 40 Days of Ice Cover by 2100 as Winter Warms
GS3Economy · S&T · Environment · Security· Climate change & international agreements· Prelims·
Why in news
A PNAS study highlights that 724 Northern Hemisphere lakes are losing significant ice cover due to rising winter temperatures, threatening aquatic ecosystems.
Background
The study identifies that ice loss accelerates sharply when winter temperatures rise above -13.7°C to -6.8°C. Under high emission scenarios, lakes could lose up to 40 days of ice cover by the year 2100.
Facts for Prelims
- S&TPNAS: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences is a peer-reviewed scientific journal.
- Fact724 Northern Hemisphere lakes were identified as losing ice faster due to warming.
- FactSpring melts are found to be more sensitive to warming than autumn freezes.
- FactIce loss is projected to increase by up to 40 days by 2100 under high emission scenarios.
For Mains
Q. Discuss the ecological and hydrological impacts of shrinking lake ice cover on Northern Hemisphere ecosystems and the role of global emission targets in mitigating these changes.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- impact on biodiversity
- alteration of hydrological cycles
- feedback loops in climate change
- mitigation through emission targets
Keywords: climate feedback · ecosystem degradation · hydrological cycle · thermal sensitivity · mitigation
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