4 ms·
The lands around the Arctic Ocean are really dry, since the winds off the Arctic Ocean blow over ice much of the year. Therefore, in summer what vegetation ther
by Merrill 7y ago
The lands around the Arctic Ocean are really dry, since the winds off the Arctic Ocean blow over ice much of the year. Therefore, in summer what vegetation there is may rapidly dry out on the surface and burn easily.
Once the Arctic Ocean is open more of the year, more precipitation should be delivered to the surrounding areas.
- dontbenebby 7y agoOne interesting fact is that a desert is a place without precipitation - many very cold areas don't have much evaporation and thus don't have much precipitation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polar_desert https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polar_desert
- H8crilA 7y agoThe area around Deadhorse, Alaska (Prudhoe Bay) is technically a desert with an average yearly precipitation of 153 mm. A desert is anything below 250 mm a year. But just look at the map surrounding it - there's thousands of lakes: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Prudhoe+Bay,+AK https://www.google.com/maps/place/Prudhoe+Bay,+AK Lakes are supported from below by a thick layer of permafrost which is completely unpenetrable to liquid water. Combined with low evaportation - it is one of the most moist pieces of land on the planet. And a desert at that :)
- konschubert 7y agoThis is the kind of optimistic pessimism that gives me hope.
- marcus_holmes 7y agolikewise. I really struggle with the concept that all the feedback loops are positive and will lead to runaway change. How will the warming of the Arctic affect plant growth? It seems logical to expect lots more plants up there as the permafrost shrinks and exposes more fertile country. Is that a optimism I can cling to? ;)
- ant6n 7y agoSure, just keep in riding that Hummer!