Question

name:
thawing permafrost transfer task
the model below shows the impacts of permafrost thaw. the arrows represent cause - and - effect relationships, with or without energy transfer.
start here global temperatures increase → permafrost thaws and decreases → more land shifts → animal dens and nesting grounds are destroyed, buildings collapse, co₂ is released into atmosphere → co₂ absorbs infrared radiation more energy stays in atmosphere
part 1a: what feedback loop(s) do you see in the model? use all of the relevant pieces of the model to completely describe the ways how the feedback loop(s) affect the original change, \global temperatures increase.\ it is a positive feedback because the cycle continuously goes on.
part 1b: are the feedback loop(s) that affect(s) permafrost positive feedback loops or negative feedback loops? explain your thinking using words and/or pictures and connect your response to the specific changes in earth systems that are described in the diagram.

Explanation:

Step1: Identify the feedback loop

Global temperatures increase, causing permafrost to thaw. Thawed permafrost releases CO₂ into the atmosphere. CO₂ absorbs infrared radiation, trapping more energy in the atmosphere, which in turn causes global temperatures to increase further.

Step2: Determine the type of feedback loop

Positive feedback loops amplify the initial change. In this case, the initial increase in global temperatures leads to a series of events that further increase global temperatures.

Answer:

Part 1a: The feedback loop is: Global temperatures increase → Permafrost thaws → CO₂ is released into atmosphere → CO₂ absorbs infrared radiation, more energy stays in atmosphere → Global temperatures increase. This loop amplifies the original increase in global temperatures.
Part 1b: The feedback loops that affect permafrost are positive feedback loops. The increase in global temperatures causes permafrost to thaw. The thawing permafrost releases CO₂, which enhances the greenhouse - effect and further increases global temperatures, leading to more permafrost thawing. This cycle continuously reinforces the initial warming trend in Earth's climate system.