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November 3 release of An Inconvenient Truth. "An Inconvenient Truth" is has become the third most watched documentary in history. Al Gore and Paramount Classics present the situation of the planet to climate change. Some of the effects of climate change in the Cantabrian
An Inconvenient Truth, in the Cantabrian. -
The data has been extracted from documents of the Ministry of Environment, European Union agencies and the Fisheries Service of the Principality of Asturias (about salmon) -
In the Cantabrian studies on how the climate is more complex than in the Mediterranean. While in the Mediterranean ocean currents play a little effect on climate in the Atlantic Arc has a vital role with the Gulf as the indisputable. An example is that the Cantabrian geographically (band between 43 º and 44 º north) as far north as Vladivostok (Russian Pacific Coast) and Hokkaido (Japan), where the winters are long and harsh, with average temperatures of the month January is -13 °, but thanks to the effect of the Gulf Stream in the Atlantic Arc is a much more benign climate that correspond to their geographical location. Most studies of the evolution of the climate change point to a warmer, leading to a Mediterranean climate. Highlights of the 2004 report of the European Environment Agency, "Impacts of climate change in Europe", which predicts that 2080 will Asturias average temperatures of up to 4 degrees and a third less rain. It also warns that two out of five plants and animals may disappear.
The Cantabrian Sea heats:
For INDUROT the most notable effects of climate change will occur in the Cantabrian mountain range. However for our association, is the coast, the intertidal area (beaches and masons) who will be most damaged. These changes already are evident. Cantabric water has warmed a degree and a half in the last three decades. The variation of one degree produces drastic changes in the fishing banks. But also because the arrival of new species. Examples include the case in autumn 2005, when captured in the Cantabrian squid for the first time a diamond (rhombus Thisanoteuthis), weighed 14 kilos and its natural habitat is much further south as the Mediterranean is the most andalusia north where it was located so far.
But the melting of the polar cap leads also curious side effects, the arrival of pockets of very cold water from the Arctic and with them also come with natural species is much further north, so the Coordinator for Study and Protection of Marine Species (Cepesma) warns that the disruptive effect of melting polar arrival and unusual species of seals as the gray seal, common seal or the seal helmet (the latter is the habitat in the circumpolar Arctic). Common seal of the CEPESMA located in Asturias 7 copies, with even the birth of the first copy in the Iberian Peninsula.
Rising sea levels:
Studies on sea-level rise ranging from moderates, such as documents of the Ministry of Environment working with a possible sea level rise by the end of the century 68 cm. A report indicating an increase of up to several meters. This is in addition to an increased intensity of storms. Both factors significantly affect the beaches of Asturias, as most are small deposits of sand depending on the storms and currents. With small beaches could disappear in a few decades.
The beaches there are two scenarios. Which will jeopardize their dune complexes, as the cases of Espartal, Xagó and berries. And it will disappear completely if it is not applied any kind of solution, such as San Lorenzo and Salinas. These two major beaches in fact have already been touched by death because of urbanism. Both Salinas de Gijón as entire neighborhoods were built on ancient sand dunes. In both places has been built up almost to the tide line. Now climate change will be the high cost of this irrational urban planning, having to plan measures for the regeneration of artificial sand, or construction of dams.
buildings on the coast:
The administration acknowledges that climate change impacts must be taken into account in carrying out the works and urban planning. For example in the document "Preliminary Assessment of the Impacts in Spain Effect of Climate Change" published by the Ministry of Environment, warns that:
"The impacts of the construction of infrastructure and housing in the coastal strip are to be considered, therefore, not in the context of current impacts, but that generated in the context of a rising sea level .
But we have not found any of the PGOU (General Urban Plan) any reference to this factor.
Less snow :
Ski Resorts:
Climate change threatens to stations such as the Asturian-Valgrande Pajares, do not exceed the height of 2100 meters of altitude. Only the snow guns higher up in the future viability would Pajares and San Isidro. Rising temperatures lead to a drastic drop in precipitation in the form of snow. Experts warn that investment in the ski resorts should take account of this phenomenon for those who are below the altitude of 2000 meters, such as stations asturianas.
Impacts of Climate Change on the Nature of Asturias:
- Disappearance of chestnut and beech forests:
Rising temperatures will change the composition of forests in the Cantabrian. Chestnut and beech are the main losers in this new climate, which will tend to disappear and to focus on the environment of the few rivers that have not undergone the alteration of the human being. In the new landscape will begin to impose the oaks, typical of the Mediterranean area, and Rebollo, a type of oak for a very distinctive landscape straddling the Atlantic and Mediterranean climate.
- Increased forest pests and diseases
Experts say that the rise in temperatures, especially in winter, which favors some insects undergo very rapid life cycles and have to spend one to two generations, with corresponding risks of the flora. Some effects have been noticed on the chestnut. Researchers have found this species in several diseases, mainly caused by fungi, which could be directly related to climate change.
- Increased fire:
Experts foresee significant changes in the types of fires that will suffer in the medium term the Cantabrian mountain range by climate change, as will become more virulent and more hectares will affect the types of forests.
- salmon disappear from Asturian rivers:
The warming of water in rivers Asturians could become the main threat to the future of salmon. At this time, the average temperature in winter salmon channels around ten degrees Celsius. If you exceed the twelve, would be in the presence of endangered salmon in the waters of Asturias. If we add to the pollution of rivers and marine overfishing results in Asturias has the most endangered salmon populations in Europe
- Species of the Cantabrian Mountains: Bears and grouse:
The mountain range is home to species that have become isolated in her since the last glaciation, such as the capercaillie.
Climate change causes changes in plants that are key to feeding these species. Capercaillie and the bear will have trouble adapting to the characteristics of future forests, although the change will be more sensitive to the grouse.
- Invasive species:
Rising temperatures will bring the arrival of invasive plant and animal species. Besides natural history of displacement, ie species of the Mediterranean peninsular territories that settle in Asturias, as already occurred for millennia, but also an invasion of species produce an artificial, due to world trade and low awareness in the care exotic pets. There is an invasion of alien species are better adapted to new weather conditions and natural enemies are not to its progress.
- Amphibians:
Pollution is now the great plague of amphibians, but the change in water temperature of lakes and rivers will lead to the disappearance of many species.
- Fisheries:
traditional fisheries such as anchovies, sardines or the beautiful, may be reduced or removed by changing the temperature of the water and ocean currents.
- species of the intertidal area:
The sea level rise and increased intensity of storms affecting our beaches and masons, causing severe alterations in the species that inhabit it.
More data and information on this and other topics
Antonio Rodriguez Dosantos
Director of the association
GREEN GREEN Asoc Ecologista: "Recovery and Research Group on Natural Areas"
Website: www.asturiasverde.com
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