Answer:
Albedo is a measure which shows how much incoming solar radiation is reflected by an object or surface, without being absorbed. A low albedo surface means a surface which reflects a small amount of the radiation that hits it (10%) and absorbs the rest. In the earth, the forests, oceans, soil etc have low albedo since they absorb most of the solar radiation that hits on them and reflect rest.
Explanation:
Albedo is the fraction of solar radiation that is reflected from an object or surface on the earth into space. It is a measure which shows how much incoming solar radiation is reflected by an object or surface, without being absorbed. The surface which reflects the majority of the incoming radiation (80%) and absorbs the rest is known as a high albedo surface. The surface which reflects a small amount of the radiation that hits it (10%) and absorbs the rest is known as a low albedo surface.
For example, some objects or surface that appears in light colors like snow and thick clouds reflect most of the incoming light, indicating a high albedo (90-95%) and, while something that looks dark like trees and water absorbs most of the incoming light, has a low albedo (10-15%).
In the earth, the forests, oceans, soil etc have low albedo since they absorb most of the solar radiation that hits on them and reflect rest. The forest, made of trees are dark and absorb majority of the sun light for the process of photosynthesis. It has an impact on earth’s climate in extremely complicated ways through evapotranspiration (both evaporation and transpiration), and deforestation (removing trees) may increase the albedo of an area.
The water in the ocean absorbs heat from the sun, which causes melting of large masses of ice in the ocean. As they melt, sea level rises which may result in more frequent and intense flooding.
As global temperature increases, the snow and ice melts which decreases the extent to which they cover the surface and thus decreases the earth's albedo. The decrease in albedo means more energy is absorbed, which results in further warming and in turn causes more melting.
