Canada – According to new research, researchers are in anticipation that by 2100, the glaciers of western Canada known to be one of the world’s most picturesque mountain regions are likely to have melted away largely. Researchers are predicting that the glaciers could shrink around the coast region by 75% and by 70% in area […]
Canada – According to new research, researchers are in anticipation that by 2100, the glaciers of western Canada known to be one of the world’s most picturesque mountain regions are likely to have melted away largely.
Researchers are predicting that the glaciers could shrink around the coast region by 75% and by 70% in area and volume respectively compared to the 2005 levels. However, a marginal error of 10 percent is expected.
The decline is expected to be even more dramatic probably over 90 percent in two out of the three regions that the study took place. These are said to be the Interior and Rockies regions. The dwindling of the glaciers could bring along effects on the availability of water for aquatic creatures, forestry, and tourism as well as to agriculture.
The regions studied covered 26,700 square kilometers. Garry Clarke who headed the study and is also a professor at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver has since stated that those who are touched by the beauty of Canada’s mountain landscapes will experience sad moments after the disappearance of (the) glaciers.
“We lose the important services that glaciers provide once they are gone. These services include keeping headwater streams cool and flowing during the dry spells which come in late summer and sustaining cool-water aquatic species”. Clarke explained further.
A computer model that was able to combine four well-known scenarios for global warming this century is what was used. The scenarios also have data about three glacier-covered regions as well as the dynamics of the melted ice.
The investigators have since said that maritime glaciers especially those in northwestern British Columbia are likely to survive though in a diminished state while a few will remain in the Interior and Rockies regions.
There is a good overall view of how glaciers respond to global warming according to the scientists. However, though Clarke has confirmed that glaciers respond to climate instead of weather, the picture at regional level is much more prone to error.
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