Does the Atmospheric Ozone Layer Do More than Provide UV-B Protection?
The third kind of risk has to do with functions other than UV-B protection that the ozone layer might provide. We know that global ecosystems such as the atmospheric ozone layer are complex and usually provide a variety of services. Are there ecosystem functions (in addition to UV-B protection), that the atmospheric ozone layer provides either on its own or in conjunction with other ecosystems? Given the global nature of the atmospheric ozone layer, and its long term role in the evolution of most life-forms, this should at least be considered. A potential implication is that we have already exceeded sustainable scale for some unknown but vital ecosystem function performed by this layer. When global systems are involved it would seem prudent to at least explore this issue. For example, could the role the atmospheric ozone layer plays in global climate regulation be limiting the climate’s ability to adapt to changing circumstances induced by rising greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations? Ho
