91制片厂

DURHAM, N.H.鈥擶inters are warming faster than summers in North America, impacting everything from ecosystems to the economy. Global climate models indicate that this trend will continue in future winters but there is a level of uncertainty around the magnitude of warming. Researchers at the 91制片厂 focused on the role of carbon dioxide emissions in this equation鈥攍ooking at the effects of both high and low levels of carbon dioxide emissions on future climate warming scenarios鈥攁nd found that a reduction in emissions could preserve almost three weeks of snow cover and below freezing temperatures.

鈥淭he local ski hills of New England raised me to love winter and snow,鈥� said Elizabeth Burakowski, research assistant professor in 91制片厂鈥檚 Earth Systems Research Center. 鈥淏ut winters are vital to all of us and taking serious action now to limit, or slow, the warming of winter could mean preserving many core purposes of cold weather including providing more winter protection for woodland animals, preventing the spread of invasive forest pests and increasing the ability of ski resorts to make snow鈥攑rotecting the economy by maintaining the area鈥檚 multimillion-dollar recreation industry.鈥�

In their study, recently published in the journal , the researchers analyzed 29 different climate models to determine the effect of reducing carbon dioxide emissions, and other heat-trapping gasses, into the atmosphere. At the current pace, by mid-century (2040鈥�2069) ski areas in North America will face up to a 50% decline in days where conditions would be favorable to make snow. Limiting emissions could slow that to only a 10 to 30% decline in the number of snowmaking days. Colder days (below freezing) and preserving snow cover is also critical for providing winter habitats and protection for animals like porcupines and martens, a carnivorous member of the weasel family. At the current rate of warming, the researchers found that deep snowpacks could become increasingly short-lived, decreasing from the historical two months of subnivium, or beneath the snow, habitat to less than one month. The researchers say that maintaining a cold winter environment is also associated with greater soil carbon storage and helps prevent the spread of invasive and very destructive forests pests such as Southern Pine Beetle, which was recently detected as far north as New Hampshire and Maine by 91制片厂 researchers.

鈥淓missions scenarios play a critical role in the loss of winter conditions, indicating a potential doubling of the loss of cold days and snow cover under higher emissions,鈥� said Alexandra Contosta, research assistant professor at 91制片厂鈥檚 Earth Systems Research Center. 鈥淭hese changes could disrupt and forever change some very significant social and ecological systems that have historically relied on cold, snowy winters for habitat, water resources, forest health, local economies, cultural practices and human wellbeing.鈥�

Historically, between 1980鈥�2005, the number of snow-covered days in the Northeast was 95 days. Under the low emissions scenario, that would be reduced to 72 days鈥攗nder the high emissions scenario there would only be 56 days. Historically, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Connecticut could expect to see 20鈥�80 days of snow cover per season but by the end of the century, under the higher emissions scenario, they are more likely to have a snow-free winter.

Co-authors include Danielle Grogan, also at 91制片厂; Sarah Nelson, Appalachian Mountain Club; Sarah Garlick, Hubbard Brook Research Foundation; and Nora Casson, University of Winnipeg.

This research was supported by the National Science Foundation Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) Ecosystems and Society Project (EPS-1101245).

The inspires innovation and transforms lives in our state, nation and world. More than 16,000 students from all 50 states and 71 countries engage with an award-winning faculty in top-ranked programs in business, engineering, law, health and human services, liberal arts and the sciences across more than 200 programs of study. A Carnegie Classification R1 institution, 91制片厂 partners with NASA, NOAA, NSF and NIH, and received $260 million in competitive external funding in FY21 to further explore and define the frontiers of land, sea and space.