SCI 3-1 Milestone One Worksheet
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School
Southern New Hampshire University *
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Course
3
Subject
Geography
Date
Dec 6, 2023
Type
Pages
4
Uploaded by EarlNightingale3188
Environmental Issue
Change in precipitation & temperatures levels due to Global Climate Change
A.
Identify the local
environmental issue
you have chosen and briefly describe its impact on the environment on a global level. Also, state specifically
which human activities caused the problem. Support your description with scientific facts. Include citations for your resources using APA guidelines as
needed.
Precipitation impacts human well-being and ecosystems by affecting surface water availability, river flooding, and determining plant and animal
survival. Climate change, driven by rising temperatures, increases precipitation in many areas, but may also cause decreased precipitation in some
areas due to shifting wind patterns and ocean currents. Increased precipitation may not necessarily increase water availability for drinking, irrigation,
and industry. (Climate Change Indicators: U.S. and Global Precipitation | US EPA, 2023). Human activities have led to an increase in greenhouse
gas concentrations, particularly carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, which have caused the Earth's surface temperature to rise. These
emissions, primarily from burning fossil fuels, have caused a 40% increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide since pre-industrial times, a 2.5-fold
increase in methane concentrations, and a 20% increase in nitrogen oxide concentrations. These changes have significantly impacted the Earth's
climate and are one of the biggest reasons for the change in precipitation and temperature levels across the globe. (
Causes of Climate Change | US
EPA
, 2023).
B.
Describe the impact of this environmental issue on your
local community
. This may include impact on local ecology or impact on local human activities.
Support your description with specific examples.
Illinois has experienced a 10-20% increase in annual precipitation and 40% increase in days with 2 inches or more over the past 100 years, causing
increased heavy rain, flooding, and public health threats. (Usgcrp, 2018). This is exacerbated by urban growth and deteriorating sewage
infrastructure, affecting respiratory health, mental health, and overall well-being. (Climate Change in Illinois
–
Illinois State Climatologist, n.d.).
The rise in precipitation has impacted agriculture, allowing for the planting of alternative crops, but also increasing the risk of heat stroke in
livestock, drought, and crop damage. Wetter soils cause delays in planting, erosion, and nutrient loss, while pests, weeds, and pathogens also pose
significant threats. All of this will ultimately also affect other things such as costs at the grocery store and the availability of products. (Giesting et
al., 2022).
Part II: Human Impact
Ecological Processes
A.
Identify the
ecological processes
that are impacted by this environmental issue and briefly describe how each has been
impacted by the environmental issue. Support your description with scientific facts.
Essentially all ecological processes are affected by global climate change specifically to change in temperature and
precipitation. The energy cycle is affected by the change in temperature and precipitation by it changing the growing seasons.
One of the goals for the energy cycle is to have energy flow functioning for as long as possible throughout the year and with
the change in temperatures and precipitation levels causes it to shorten or move during the year. (Girgis, 2023). The water
cycle is obviously affected by both changes in temperature and precipitation as higher temperatures cause more evaporation.
High and low precipitation levels affect the plants and soil which leads me to my next two processes the nutrient cycle and
community processes. The nutrient cycle is affected because the energy flow and water cycle affect the nutrients that ae
distributed throughout the food web starting with the smallest microorganisms to animals and humans. Climate change
causes a faster rate to occur with community dynamics where the environment is changed by the organisms and the
organisms are changed by the environment. Each of the ecological processes are affected by each other. Climate change can
potentially modify where species dwell, how they interact, and the timing of biological processes, thereby transforming
present ecosystems and food webs. Climate change can exceed ecosystems' ability to withstand natural disasters and
disturbances such as wildfires, floods, and drought. (
Climate Impacts on Ecosystems | Climate Change Impacts | US EPA
,
n.d.).
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References
Causes of climate change | US EPA
. (2023, April 25). US EPA.
https://www.epa.gov/climatechange-science/causes-climate-
change#:~:text=Greenhouse%20Gases,-
Concentrations%20of%20the&text=These%20greenhouse%20gas%20emissions%20have,than%20any%20other%20human%20activity
.
Climate change in Illinois
–
Illinois State Climatologist
. (n.d.).
https://stateclimatologist.web.illinois.edu/climate-change-in-illinois/
Climate change indicators: U.S. and global precipitation | US EPA
. (2023, November 1). US EPA.
https://www.epa.gov/climate-indicators/climate-
change-indicators-us-and-global-
precipitation#:~:text=As%20average%20temperatures%20at%20the,increase%20precipitation%20in%20many%20areas
.
Climate impacts on ecosystems | Climate Change Impacts | US EPA
. (n.d.).
https://19january2017snapshot.epa.gov/climate-impacts/climate-impacts-
ecosystems_.html#:~:text=Climate%20change%20can%20alter%20where,wildfires%2C%20floods%2C%20and%20drought
.
Giesting, K., Ontl, T., Baule, W., Shannon, D., Anderson, J., Wilson, A., Nowatzke, L., & Todey, D. (2022). Climate Change Impacts on Illinois
Agriculture. In
Climatehubs,Usda,Gov
. Climate Change Impacts on Illinois Agriculture. Ames, Iowa. Retrieved November 10, 2023, from
https://www.climatehubs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2022_ClimateChangeImpactsOnIllinoisAgriculture_0.pdf
Girgis, C. L. (2023, August 10).
What are ecosystem processes, and why do they matter on the ranch?
Noble Research Institute.
https://www.noble.org/regenerative-agriculture/what-are-ecosystem-processes/
Usgcrp. (2018).
Fourth national climate assessment
.
https://nca2018.globalchange.gov/chapter/21/