US Ecosystem Has Shifted North By Hundreds of Miles

According to the findings of a 50 year study from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln entire ecosystems have shifted over a hundred miles north. On the northern rim this amounted to more than 350 miles while on the southern border it shifted just over 150 miles north. The difference in these is caused by a well documented phenomenon known as Arctic amplification.

What is Arctic Amplification?

Simply put, Arctic amplification, or polar amplification, is the increase in temperature as sea ice continues to diminish. The fact is that the white ice reflecting the sun’s energy is what helps keep cold climates colder. As sea ice melts there’s more ocean surface to absorb the heat, therefore global temperatures rise.

Planning For A New Future

Land managers and planners will be able to utilize this new data, helping understand shifts before they happen. Tracking bird migratory patterns and behaviors in other animals, a full view of the ecosystem, and more importantly their changes, can be seen. Acknowledging the change is only one step, the next step is preventing entire ecosystems from shifting or collapsing in the first place.

Currently models are for prevention, while management work towards what seems to be an inevitable conclusion, at least for the time being. Many remain hopeful that change can happen in a drastic way to reverse these effects before it is too late. Find out what steps you can take to be more environmentally conscious today.

For More Details On The Following Topics, See The Links Below

Analysis Finds US Ecosystems Shifting Hundreds of Miles North – University of Lincoln

Arctic Amplification – National Snow & Ice Data Center