Environmental Studies

Effects of Climate Change in Canada 's Freshwaters

Canada has some of the world 's largest freshwater reserves . However these reserves undergo fluctuation largely due to climate change . Since Canada is a large mass of land located in the earth 's northern mid- to high latitudes , it is expected to have a greater increase in temperature and a decrease in soil moisture in the summer . In the winter , the northern part of the country will undergo a greater increase in temperature and more precipitation . An increase in precipitation especially during the autumn

and winter , will result in greater accumulation of snow and the probability of earlier and extended flooding in the spring

Climate change has a profound impact on the capacity of groundwater systems to maintain water supplies , in-stream conditions and aquatic habitat . Hence , Canada 's warming climate will have impacts on its water quantity and quality . For instance , the water quality in the Great Lakes - St . Lawrence basin is already suffering , as the region is a major center of North American manufacturing . This is alarming because more than 42 .5 million people live in the Great Lakes - St . Lawrence basin (2004 ) and more than 29 million of them (including 8 million Canadians are dependent on the lakes for drinking water (2004 . Meanwhile , the Prairies , also known as Canada 's breadbasket , already suffer from periodic drought , particularly in its southern parts . Drought is expected to be more frequent in this region , due to higher temperatures and increased evapotranspiration . Should water be available , an increase in irrigation can degrade the soil by increasing the amount of soluble salts in its surface

References

Environment Canada (2004 , July 8 . Water and Climate (How Might These Changes Affect

Canada . Retrieved December 26 , 2007 , from http /www .ec .gc .ca /Water /en /nature /clim /e_canada .htm Climate Change (Canada ) PAGE 2 ...