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Environmental Woes of Tierra del Fuego -- Climate Change

Dr. Gino Casassa, of the University of Magallanes in Chile, rests his head in his hand at the foot of a glacier named "Lengua," or tongue. Comparing glacial patterns to vegetation changes in the area gives scientists a more complete picture of the region's climate over thousands of years. Researchers
chose the Gran Campo Nevado site because it is a "climate divide." In a short distance there are many different climate zones, ranging from temperate rain forest to tundra. Small climate changes would be strongly evident in the pollens and sediments of nearby lake beds and bogs.

"In the world it's one of the unique places where you can find lots of unique information, where you can fill-in blank spaces on the map," Casassa says. "It's not only about looking at present day conditions, but into the past as well." Studying how climate has reacted in the past helps scientists understand changes that are occurring today.

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© Kevin Moloney, 2000
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1. Climate Change
Dr. Gino Casassa, of the University of Magallanes in Chile, rests his head in his hand at the foot of a glacier named "Lengua," or tongue. Comparing glacial patterns to vegetation changes in the area gives scientists a more complete picture of the region's climate over thousands of years. Researchers<br /> chose the Gran Campo Nevado site because it is a "climate divide." In a short distance there are many different climate zones, ranging from temperate rain forest to tundra. Small climate changes would be strongly evident in the pollens and sediments of nearby lake beds and bogs.<br /> <br /> "In the world it's one of the unique places where you can find lots of unique information, where you can fill-in blank spaces on the map," Casassa says. "It's not only about looking at present day conditions, but into the past as well." Studying how climate has reacted in the past helps scientists understand changes that are occurring today.