And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: >From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >Date: Wed, 23 Dec 1998 12:36:44 EST >To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >Subject: yet more news >X-Mailer: AOL 3.0 16-bit for Windows sub 41 > >Global warming can destabilize an ecosystem >Wednesday, December 23, 1998 >Since blue grama covers nearly 90 percent of the shortgrass steppe, its >loss can have serious consequences on the strength of the ecosystem. >Global warming can destabilize an ecosystem by giving invading plants an >advantage over native plant life, according to scientists studying blue >grama grass in north central Colorado. > >"This research clearly demonstrates the subtle and pervasive >consequences of global warming," said Scott Collins, program manager in >the National Science Foundation's division of environmental biology. > >"As the average low temperature increases, the growing season expands. >These researchers demonstrate the harmful consequences of this subtle >change on biodiversity in grasslands," he said. > >The researchers with the National Science Foundation's Long-Term >Ecological Research program are observing how climate change can affect >an ecosystem. > >Recent analyses of climate changes suggest that global minimum >temperatures, the average annual nighttime low temperatures, are >increasing at about twice the rate as global maximum temperatures, >average annual daytime high temperatures. > >In these grassy ranges of Colorado, a long growing season primarily >benefits plants that do well in cooler weather. Here, the plants most >likely to benefit from a longer growing season are often the weeds and >non-native grasses that can sprout quickly after the winter thaw begins. >These cool-season plants can then take advantage of space and water >resources before the warm-season grasses begin growing in earnest. > >The warm-season grass in question is blue grama, a plant that provides >an important food source for both cattle and wildlife in the area. By >correlating decades worth of local plant growth and climate data, the >researchers drew a link between an increase in temperature and a decline >in blue grama growth. > >"For each 1 degree Celsius increase in average low temperatures, blue >grama growth decreases by one third," said Jim Detling, a Colorado State >University researcher. "A number of cool-season plants, however, can >exploit this change and may eventually out-compete blue grama in the >steppe ecosystem." > >Since blue grama covers nearly 90 percent of the shortgrass steppe, its >loss can have serious consequences on the strength of the ecosystem. >Blue grama has flourished in the grasslands due, in part, to its ability >to survive both long periods of drought and constant grazing. If >cool-season plants outgrow blue grama, it is questionable that they can >survive these same conditions. > >According to Detling, increases in the growing season may ultimately >destabilize the shortgrass ecosystem, possibly resulting in the loss of >important grazing land. > >Along with an increase in foreign plant growth, the climate change may >also lead to an increase in populations of pest insects, further >upsetting the current balance of the ecosystem. > >The results of this study were published in the Dec. 11 issue of the >journal Science. > >Copyright 1998, Environmental News Network, All Rights Reserved > >------------------------------------------------------------------------ > >Related stories: >�Climate change may promote alien species >�High CO2 produces less nutritious plants >�Grazing called beneficial to grassland ecosystem >�Plant growth surges after global temperature spikes >�Carbon dioxide helps plants survive cold > > >Related sites: >�Science >�Shortgrass Steppe -- Long Term Ecological Research > <<<<=-=-=FREE LEONARD PELTIER=-=-=>>>> If you think you are too small to make a difference; try sleeping in a closed room with a mosquito.... African Proverb <<<<=-=http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/ =-=>>>> IF it says: "PASS THIS TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW...." Please Check it before you send it at: http://urbanlegends.miningco.com/library/blhoax.htm
