Teacher Guide Climate Change and Arctic Ecosystems

• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Subjects: Arctic; Climate change; Global warming; Ice; permafrost
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.653.2972; http://iclimate.org/ccc/Files/tg_arctic.pdf

Activity Focus: In this case study, students read and interpret data about climate change and arctic ecosystems. Major Concepts: Global warming may be occurring because of increasing greenhouse gases. These greenhouse gases affect the arctic region due to its sensitivity to increasing temperatures. Climates help determine natural habitats (biomes). Changing the arctic climate changes the arctic biomes. Vegetation and animal species will need to make changes as the biomes change. Objectives: After completing this activity, students will be able to: • explain how human activities affect greenhouse gases. • explain how climate changes may be affecting the arctic regions. • compare snow coverage and ice coverage in the arctic over different time periods. • compare global temperatures, sea levels, and Northern Hemisphere snow cover data from 1961-1990. • explain the relationship of decreasing permafrost to increasing temperatures. • explain how climate change is affecting arctic biomes by looking at changes in arctic vegetation and animal species. Materials and Preparation: You will need to prepare the following materials before conducting this activity.