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The Arctic Carbon Cycle and Its Response to Changing Climate

Bruhwiler, Lori ; Parmentier, Frans Jan W. LU ; Crill, Patrick ; Leonard, Mark and Palmer, Paul I. (2021) In Current Climate Change Reports 7(1). p.14-34
Abstract

Purpose of Review: The Arctic has experienced the most rapid change in climate of anywhere on Earth, and these changes are certain to drive changes in the carbon budget of the Arctic as vegetation changes, soils warm, fires become more frequent, and wetlands evolve as permafrost thaws. In this study, we review the extensive evidence for Arctic climate change and effects on the carbon cycle. In addition, we re-evaluate some of the observational evidence for changing Arctic carbon budgets. Recent Findings: Observations suggest a more active CO2 cycle in high northern latitude ecosystems. Evidence points to increased uptake by boreal forests and Arctic ecosystems, as well as increasing respiration, especially in autumn. However, there is... (More)

Purpose of Review: The Arctic has experienced the most rapid change in climate of anywhere on Earth, and these changes are certain to drive changes in the carbon budget of the Arctic as vegetation changes, soils warm, fires become more frequent, and wetlands evolve as permafrost thaws. In this study, we review the extensive evidence for Arctic climate change and effects on the carbon cycle. In addition, we re-evaluate some of the observational evidence for changing Arctic carbon budgets. Recent Findings: Observations suggest a more active CO2 cycle in high northern latitude ecosystems. Evidence points to increased uptake by boreal forests and Arctic ecosystems, as well as increasing respiration, especially in autumn. However, there is currently no strong evidence of increased CH4 emissions. Summary: Long-term observations using both bottom-up (e.g., flux) and top-down (atmospheric abundance) approaches are essential for understanding changing carbon cycle budgets. Consideration of atmospheric transport is critical for interpretation of top-down observations of atmospheric carbon.

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Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Arctic, Carbon cycle, Climate change, Methane, Permafrost
in
Current Climate Change Reports
volume
7
issue
1
pages
14 - 34
publisher
Springer
external identifiers
  • scopus:85100435621
ISSN
2198-6061
DOI
10.1007/s40641-020-00169-5
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
da7793b8-77b0-4c71-8057-08e29580fb11
date added to LUP
2021-02-18 13:30:58
date last changed
2022-04-27 00:17:08
@article{da7793b8-77b0-4c71-8057-08e29580fb11,
  abstract     = {{<p>Purpose of Review: The Arctic has experienced the most rapid change in climate of anywhere on Earth, and these changes are certain to drive changes in the carbon budget of the Arctic as vegetation changes, soils warm, fires become more frequent, and wetlands evolve as permafrost thaws. In this study, we review the extensive evidence for Arctic climate change and effects on the carbon cycle. In addition, we re-evaluate some of the observational evidence for changing Arctic carbon budgets. Recent Findings: Observations suggest a more active CO2 cycle in high northern latitude ecosystems. Evidence points to increased uptake by boreal forests and Arctic ecosystems, as well as increasing respiration, especially in autumn. However, there is currently no strong evidence of increased CH4 emissions. Summary: Long-term observations using both bottom-up (e.g., flux) and top-down (atmospheric abundance) approaches are essential for understanding changing carbon cycle budgets. Consideration of atmospheric transport is critical for interpretation of top-down observations of atmospheric carbon.</p>}},
  author       = {{Bruhwiler, Lori and Parmentier, Frans Jan W. and Crill, Patrick and Leonard, Mark and Palmer, Paul I.}},
  issn         = {{2198-6061}},
  keywords     = {{Arctic; Carbon cycle; Climate change; Methane; Permafrost}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{02}},
  number       = {{1}},
  pages        = {{14--34}},
  publisher    = {{Springer}},
  series       = {{Current Climate Change Reports}},
  title        = {{The Arctic Carbon Cycle and Its Response to Changing Climate}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s40641-020-00169-5}},
  doi          = {{10.1007/s40641-020-00169-5}},
  volume       = {{7}},
  year         = {{2021}},
}