Global reduction of snow cover in ski areas under climate change (IMAGE)
Caption
Climate change is predicted to alter snowfall patterns, impacting ski areas with economic and ecological consequences. In this study, researchers predicted trends in natural snow cover days this century under three different climate change scenarios: (low CO2 emissions (SSP1-2.6), high emissions (SSP3-7.0) and very high emissions (SSP5-8.5). The results suggest significant decreases in snow cover days across all ski areas (from an average of 216 snow cover days in the past to 141 snow cover days in a high emission scenario), with a particularly fast decrease in lower elevations. The authors expect an expansion of infrastructure toward higher elevations, threatening biodiversity among high-altitude species.
Credit
Anne-Lise Paris, (www.in-graphidi.com), PLOS, CC-BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Usage Restrictions
Credit must be given to the creator.
License
CC BY