APEX APES 9.2.3 Effects of Climate Change

ocean acidification

The process of the oceans becoming more acidic as a result of absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere

net primary productivity

The amount of carbon dioxide plants take in during photosynthesis minus the amount of carbon dioxide they release during respiration.

How can clouds cause both cooling and warming?

The clouds' effect on cooling or heating the Earth depends on their appearances. If the cloud is low and fluffy, then it will reflect lots of light, creating a cooling effect. If the cloud is high and thin, then it will let more light through and even trapping some heat, creating a heating effect.

Describe the net effect of agents of climate change.

The total warming effects are greater than the total cooling effects, so the net effect is warming.

What causes ocean acidification?

Ocean acidification is caused by the ocean absorbing an abnormally high amount of carbon from the atmosphere.

How do habitats shift? Explain.

Habitats shift due to increases in global temperatures. This shift would happen when plants of one biome begin encroaching on another biome's area. This shift from this one biome would cause other biomes to shift.

How might a change in coastal upwelling affect people?

A change in coastal upwelling could change the number and kinds of organisms that live in that area, including fish. A change in the number or kind of fish in a coastal area could affect the available food supply and the fishing industry.

What are some ways that climate change will affect forests?

Climate change may lead to certain tree species to outcompete other tree species. Forests will go from being filled with diverse tree species to only a few different species.

What effects might climate change have on people's health and well-being?

Climate change could cause people's health and well-being to deteriorate. The rising heat would lead to more diseases, disasters, and displacements. Then, because we are losing so many resources, our industry would be negatively impacted. In fact, our industry may also play a part in making this cycle worse.