http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110221071526.htm

Summary
The recent research on Alaskan forest says that the biome is shifting due to hotter climates. Scientists used satellite observations and tree ring data and carbon isotope analysis to come up with the conclusion. They say that the trees are not impacted by dry soil problems but hot air masses caused by warmer climates.

BIG PICTURE connectioins

Human Impact- based on the current event and research I did over the project, I found that human impact on our biome is huge. Animals like polar bears and European Minks are all going extinct due to human activities. They are not necessary human activities, but activities due to human's excessive  and unnecessary greediness. If humans didn't wear mink fur coats to show off their wealth and prestige then by now we would've had much more European Minks survived. And also humans are the ones who brought American Minks near European Minks and American Minks are larger and stronger so many European Minks are going extinct. 

Environmental Impact- continuing with the European Minks, if they go completely extinct, then other predators who lived off of European Minks will also be in danger. For example, Lynx, Gray Wolves, and Foxes all eat smaller omnivore animals like Minks and they will also be targeted as well. Also, from the current event I did, I learned that plants can also be impacted by humans. Due to global warming caused by excessive human activities, the hot air mass has created near Alaskan forest and is now impacting the growth of the trees in that forest.

Economic Impact- If lets say the Alaskan Forest gets damaged then less people will visit the Alaskan forest, reducing the amount of tourists per year which will definitely impact that economy around that area. Also, large amount of money is put to protect the environment and to help the animals who are going extinct. If more and more biomes and animals are getting destroyed and extinct, the more money needs to be put in to "undoing" whatever we did to the environment.

Government Legislation- I know that there are some government programs to help the environment but not a lot. Private institutes and scientists are getting involved in programs to increase the population of near extinct animals and plants but they have limited amount of funds and helps from people. I personally think that government should create stricter rules against rare animal hunting and etc to prevent further extinctions.