Global warming: Glacier meltdown in Greenland

Posted on August 21, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

Greenland's Mittivakkat Glacier is melting faster than expected. PHOTO COURTESY DR. EDWARD HANNA, UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD.

Record ice losses recorded the last two years

By Summit Voice

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SUMMIT COUNTY — Warmer temperatures around Greenland’s Mittivakkat Glacier since 1995 have caused the ice to melt faster than expected, according to a team of researchers led by Dr. Edward Hanna, of the University of Sheffield.

The Mittivakkat Glacier has been observed longer than any other glacier in Greenland, and the findings suggest that recent Mittivakkat Glacier mass losses, which have been driven largely by higher surface temperatures and low precipitation, are representative of the broader region, which includes many hundreds of local glaciers in Greenland.

Observations of other glaciers in Greenland show terminus retreats comparable to that of Mittivakkat Glacier. These glaciers are similar to the Mittivakkat Glacier in size and elevation range. (more…)

Filed under: climate and weather, Environment, global warming, Summit County news | Tagged: , , , , , , | 9 Comments »

Fungi played key role in ‘greening’ of Earth

Posted on November 7, 2010 by Bob Berwyn

An early botanical illustration of species of liverworts, among the most ancient of land plants.

Partnership with fungi helped early plants absorb carbon from the atmosphere

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Fungi probably played a key role early in the history of life on Earth, helping plants to colonize land areas more than 470 million year ago.

Researchers at the University of Sheffield (England) studied a thalloid liverwort plant, a member of the most ancient group of land plants that still exists and still shares many of the original features of its ancestors. They simulated a CO2-rich atmosphere similar to that of the Palaeozoic era when these plants originated. This environment significantly amplified the benefits of the fungi for the plant’s growth, favoring the early formation of the association between the plant and its fungal partner. The research was published Nov. 2 in Nature Communications. (more…)

Filed under: Environment, Summit County Colorado | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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