Final answer:
Land ice plays a critical role in climate change because its melting leads to sea level rise and alters global climate patterns and ecosystems. The correct answer to the question is C, focusing on land ice's impact on sea level. The albedo effect and habitat changes are additional factors establishing the importance of land ice in the context of climate change.
Step-by-step explanation:
Land ice is crucial in the context of climate change because of its significant role in global sea levels, climate patterns, and ecosystems. When answering the question about why land ice is important in climate change, the correct answer is C: If a large amount of land ice were to melt, it would raise the sea level. The melting of land ice, which includes the vast ice sheets covering Antarctica and Greenland, contributes to rising sea levels. This has a direct impact on human settlements along coastlines and broader ecological ramifications.
Furthermore, the albedo effect, where light-colored surfaces like snow and ice reflect more solar radiation back into space, helps maintain cooler global temperatures. The reduction of these surfaces due to melting results in higher absorption of solar radiation by darker land and ocean surfaces, leading to further warming – a positive feedback loop exacerbating climate change. Also, as land ice melts, it alters habitats for species adapted to icy environments, leading to losses in biodiversity and shifts in ecosystems.