Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 08/31/2013 - 20:55
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Arctic Sunlight and Microbial Interactions

Hi Mr. Taterka, After reading the article concerning the permafrost in Alaska, I was wondering if the thawing soil and increased levels of carbon dioxide allowed for a greater variety plant life as compared to previously observed years in the tundra. Is it possible that now there will be more kinds of wildlife that will be able to sustain themselves in that area? And how does the melting permafrost and climate change affect the living beings and there currently? -Gia Schutzer

Mon, 09/02/2013 - 05:35

Anonymous

Gia -
Good thinking. Increased CO2 and warmer temperatures do lead to increased photosynthesis and plant growth during the summer. Of course, when some plants end up winners others end up losers, but overall there is more growth, and that can lead to more food for animals, too. At the same time, there is more bacterial action breaking down organic matter, which leads to more respiration and more CO2 going back up into the air. An interesting question that scientists are working on now is: how is the overall balance changing when you consider increased photosynthesis and increased respiration? We'll be looking at these questions a lot this year.
- Mr. T