Arctic Ponds Dry Up, Disappear (broadcast Friday, July 6th, 2007)

Camp pond has completely dried up. (July 12, 2006) Image courtesy University of Alberta.

Research published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences says that some Arctic ponds are drying up -- despite evidence to suggest that those ponds have been wet for thousands of years. The shallow ponds found in the high Arctic are important ecosystems, freezing solid in the winter but teeming with life during the summertime. Researchers believe the drying of the ponds may be due to global climate change. We'll talk about it. Teachers, find more information about using Science Friday as a classroom resource in the Kids' Connection.

Guests

John Smol
Canada Research Chair in Environmental Change
Director, Paleoecological Environmental Assessment and Research Lab
Professor, Department of Biology
Queen's University
Kingston, Ontario, Canada