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Comparing climate change impact on Arctic tundra over different time periods2 min read

by Christina Procopiou on November 25, 2020

Climate and Ecosystem Sciences Division

Tundra ecosystem, Sarek National Park, Sweden. Ökologix, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Although climate change is accelerating fastest at high latitudes, it is still uncertain how the carbon cycle within Alaskan tundra soils will respond over different periods of time. Arctic soils house vast stores of carbon, and the response of these ecosystems to warming could determine how much of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide makes it way to the atmosphere. New EESA research has shown that simulations examining short-term warming in tundra ecosystems, and evaluated against Arctic field experiments, produce responses in the carbon cycle that are inconsistent with modeled ecosystem responses to climate change occurring over decades. 

A paper published last week in the journal Nature Communications describes research led by Berkeley Lab research scientist Nick Bouskill (with co-authors Bill Riley and Zelalem Mekonnen of Berkeley Lab and Robert Grant of the University of Alberta) which found that soil carbon losses occurred at a much higher rate under short-term experimental warming than under decades of warming. The researchers used the land model ecosys to evaluate ecosystem responses to warming across four Alaskan sites over a period of a decade, and over a period of 100 years under expected temperature, precipitation, and carbon dioxide concentrations for the 21st century. 

“Climate warming is occurring fastest at high latitudes. Based on short-term field experiments, this warming is projected to stimulate soil organic matter decomposition, and to promote a positive feedback to climate change,” Bouskill said. “Because Arctic soils sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, it’s essential that climate models accurately account for how various interdependent facets of the tundra ecosystem respond to climate change. Ideally climate modeling should take into account the impacts on microbial communities at different soil depths, and on vegetation growth and productivity.” 

The study results demonstrate that over many decades the rate of soil carbon cycling varies significantly across the Arctic regions evaluated. Further studies are required to improve the ability of climate models’ to predict whether Arctic tundra landscapes remain a carbon sink over multiple decades under climate change.

News & Events

EESA scientist co-authors new comprehensive guide on ways to remove CO2 from the atmosphere2 min read

January 18, 2021

Berkeley Lab researchers are working on ways to sequester more carbon in soil, including through agricultural practices. (Credit: Berkeley Lab) Scientists say that any serious plan to address climate change should include carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies and policies, which makes the newly launched CDR Primer an especially vital resource, says Berkeley Lab scientist Margaret Torn, one…

New EESA research explores impact of land-use policy on California’s terrestrial carbon and greenhouse gas budget3 min read

January 12, 2021

The 28 million acres of natural and working lands across California provide a unique opportunity to meet greenhouse gas emission reduction goals through various land-use strategies, such as expanding urban forest areas or restoring woodlands. However, the need to mitigate wildfire severity is also a critical priority for California, and one that can increase emissions…

Impacts of Climate Change on Our Water and Energy Systems: It’s Complicated5 min read

January 11, 2021

As the planet continues to warm, the twin challenges of diminishing water supply and growing energy demand are intensifying. But because water and energy are inextricably linked, as we try to adapt to one challenge – say, by getting more water via desalination or water recycling – we may be worsening the other challenge by…

New Study: Are Drylands Getting Drier?1 min read

January 5, 2021

EESA visiting postdoctoral fellow Sha Zhou led a recent study exploring why climate models do not project drylands will become substantially drier with climate change as scientists have long believed. A paper published yesterday in the journal Nature Climate Change, “Soil moisture-atmosphere feedbacks mitigate declining water availability in drylands,” describes the importance of long-term changes…

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