The long term impact of climate change on the water and carbon cycle

Impact of the climate change on the water cycle: Increased evaporation

Increased evaporation and therefore the amount of water vapour in the atmosphere. Most vapour has a feedback effect, helping to raise global temperatures and evapotranspiration.

Impact of the climate change on the water cycle: Increased precipitation

Increased precipitation will lead to higher run-off and greater flood risk. Water vapour is a source of energy in the atmosphere, releasing latent head on condensation. With more energy in the atmosphere extreme weather events such as hurricanes become more power and frequent.

Impact of the climate change on the carbon cycle: Increased temperatures

• Increases the rate of decomposition and accelerate transfers of carbon from the biosphere and the soil to the atmosphere.

• In humid tropical, climate change may increased aridity as grasslands replace rainforests and the biosphere’s store decrease

• Carbon is released from the melting from the active layer

• Allow for oxidation and decomposition of vast peat stores.

• The acidification of the oceans through the absorption of excess CO2 from the atmosphere reduces photosynthesis by phytoplankton, limiting by depleting and increasing certain stores.

How much CO2 is transferred to the atmosphere due to fossil fuels?

8 billion tonnes

How much CO2 is transferred to the atmosphere due to land-use change?

1 billion tonne

How much has deforestation cleared of the rainforest?

50%

What is the impact of ocean acidification on phytoplankton?

• Phytoplankton absorbs more than half the CO2 from burning fossil fuels.

• However, acidification makes the sea warmer and thus them less productive absorbing CO2.

Impact of the climate change on the carbon cycle: soil degradation due to deforestation and overcultivation

Soil is a big store but when exposed it can’t absorb carbon