Articles tagged with Tundra
New research suggests that declining UV radiation may alter plant–microbe interactions and carbon cycling in Antarctic tundra. The weakened carbon sink can amplify respiratory carbon loss, particularly in eastern lowland tundra where penguin activity is strong.
Two University of Utah-led studies aim to improve biomass mapping to better understand how Arctic and boreal forests respond to climate change. The new maps, built using satellite imagery and field measurements, capture 40 years of ecological change in unprecedented detail.
Researchers use tree rings and satellites to date changes beavers make to the tundra landscape as they spread northwards. The study provides evidence of beaver colonization in the region starting in 2008, with satellite analysis revealing a significant expansion of surface water between 2015 and 2019.
Short-eared owls travel long distances to find prey in 'boom and bust' cycles, requiring nuanced perception. Climate change affects these cycles, making conservation efforts crucial for the species' survival.
Wildfires on Alaska's North Slope have reached unprecedented levels in recent centuries, driven by drying soils and expanding woody shrubs. The study's findings suggest a rapid transformation of the tundra ecosystem, with modern-day fires burning hotter and consuming more fuel.
A small amount of Arctic groundwater releases an estimated 230 tons of organic carbon per day along Alaska's coastline, contributing to climate change and ocean acidification. This discovery highlights the significant role of freshwater discharge in the Arctic Ocean.
A new study found that 34% of the Arctic-boreal zone is now a source of carbon, with fires and microbial activity contributing to emissions. The research provides a comprehensive assessment of carbon fluxes in the region, highlighting the importance of monitoring these processes.
A new study reveals the Arctic is experiencing extreme climate changes, with Siberia and Alaska facing significant warming and drying. Permafrost is a common factor in vulnerable regions, and local data can support more effective management and adaptation approaches.
Scientists studied ancient whitebark pine forest on Beartooth Plateau, finding the tree line was 600 feet higher during a moderate climate period. The discovery sheds light on how dynamic ecosystems respond to temperature warming and offers insights into future changes for alpine environments.
A study in Greenland found that plant species exhibited earlier green-up when grazed by herbivores, while others showed later growth. Herbivory also led to increased plant abundance in most affected species.
A University of California, Davis study reveals that large grazing wildlife like caribou and muskoxen influence the timing and abundance of Arctic plants. The research found that plants where these animals were present emerged earlier and were more abundant later in the season.
Researchers are working on a new method for preserving microbial samples using microfluidics, biomaterials, and protein engineering. The goal is to improve biosurveillance and protect soldiers and civilians from infectious diseases.
A study published in Nature found that warming tundras release more carbon due to increased ecosystem respiration. The experiment revealed a 30% boost in respiration during the growing season, leading to significant changes in soil moisture and temperature.
A new study from the University of Copenhagen reveals that Greenland consumes more methane than it releases, with dry landscapes absorbing over 65,000 tons annually. The study's findings contribute significantly to climate models and provide insights into the optimal soil conditions for methane uptake in the Arctic.
A recent study found that climate warming is altering carbon flow and food web dynamics in Arctic tundra and boreal forest ecosystems, with fungi replacing plants as the main energy source for animals. This shift has significant implications for ecosystem function and animal responses to climate change.
Researchers discovered that reindeer's vision evolved to spot Cladonia rangiferina, a type of lichen, during winter. This adaptation allows them to conserve energy by finding food from a distance, making it easier to survive in cold environments. The study provides new insights into the extraordinary visual system of reindeer.
Researchers from UNC Greensboro have developed new methods to predict the impact of global changes on 'grassy' ecosystems, which cover 40% of the Earth's land surface. The study aims to improve mathematical models that forecast changes in these ecosystems, including food production, pollinators, and carbon sequestration.
A new study links Arctic beaver ponds to a significant increase in methane emissions along tundra streams. Researchers found that beaver dams create conditions ideal for methane release, with hotspots surrounding ponds and diminishing distances from the pond.
A recent study reveals Arctic soil methane uptake may be greater than previously believed. Methane consumption increases under dry conditions and with labile carbon substrates' availability. High-latitude warming affects atmospheric methane uptake to a lesser extent than associated large-scale drying.
Scientists have deciphered the Arctic flora's evolution over time, discovering its roots date back to the Early Late Miocene. The study reveals a complex dispersal corridor between the Arctic and western North America, with both immigration and in situ speciation contributing to biodiversity.
Researchers used a high-performance computer simulation to study the impact of soil subsidence on permafrost thawing in the Arctic tundra. They found that uneven land subsidence leads to a drier landscape, which limits the process's acceleration through the end of the century.
The expansion of forests in Central Europe, circa 11,000 years ago, led to the decline and eventual extinction of large Ice Age mammals such as mammoth and bison. The growth of trees deprived these herbivores of their main food source, grass.
Researchers found that arctic shrub growth is limited by seed dispersal and fire, not just environmental suitability. The study used high-resolution satellite imagery to estimate shrub expansion in the Arctic region, revealing a discrepancy with previous models.
A global survey of biodiversity experts finds that more species are threatened with extinction than previously thought, with estimates suggesting 30% of species have been lost since 1500. The study identifies climate change, pollution, and land-use changes as key drivers of biodiversity loss.
The Siberian tundra is projected to disappear entirely unless ambitious greenhouse-gas reduction measures are taken. A simulation shows that only 30% of the tundra can survive with aggressive climate protection, while the rest will be lost.
A new study in Northern Sweden found that methane emissions from thawing permafrost can be reduced by a factor of 10 due to changes in hydrology, plant community, and microorganisms. As permafrost thaws, new plant species adapt to drier soil conditions, reducing methane transport and allowing bacteria to break it down.
Rising temperatures are causing the world's coldest forests to shift northward, threatening biodiversity and increasing wildfire risks. Soil nutrient availability also plays a key role in the response of boreal vegetation to climate change.
A 15-year study in arctic Greenland found that caribou and muskoxen helped mitigate the effects of climate change on rare plants, lichens, and mushrooms. The presence or absence of these large herbivores made a clear difference in species commonness and rarity.
A new study published in PNAS found that large mammals died out at the end of the last ice age due to a warming climate and vegetation expansion. Rewilding efforts with animals like bison and horses are unlikely to reverse this trend, as climate change remains the primary driver of ecosystem changes.
The project aims to digitize three million plant specimens from US herbaria and combine with data from Asia and Europe, accelerating research on endangered species and plant biodiversity. The Harvard University Herbarium will lead the effort, connecting institutions in the US, Europe, and Asia.
Researchers found identical patterns in plant functional traits along microclimatic gradients across four tundra ecosystems, improving climate change impact predictions. This study reveals generalizable rules in nature, allowing for the application of scientific results from one region to another.
A study analyzing Arctic tundra shrub-ring chronologies from 1979 to 2008 found that most shrubs experienced increased radial growth as Arctic sea ice declined. However, 39% of shrubs showed decreased growth, often at drier sites, suggesting changes in moisture availability constrain responses to warming temperatures.
New research reveals that coastal permafrost is largely absent in shallow seafloor areas, contrary to previous beliefs. This finding suggests that carbon can be released from coastline sources more easily, potentially exacerbating climate change.
A study found that tundra vegetation regenerated rapidly after a major landslide event, but took decades to recover. High-resolution satellite data revealed small changes in land cover and permafrost thawing.
A new study using satellite images tracked the Arctic tundra's vegetation changes over decades and found it has become greener due to warmer air and soil temperatures. This 'Arctic greening' is associated with higher soil temperatures and moisture, impacting local ecosystems and wildlife.
A recent study published in Nature Communications found that the Arctic tundra has become greener over the past few decades due to warmer air and soil temperatures, which have led to increased plant growth.
A new study found that Arctic tundra spring phenology has shifted due to a warmer climate, with delays in the start of growing seasons observed at high-latitude regions. The study used multiple remote sensing indices and ground observations from 2000 to 2018 to analyze spatial and temporal variations.
A study on Arctic tundra plants reveals that snow cover and summer temperature significantly impact functional trait diversity. In a warming climate, tundra plants may develop taller leaves and rapid resource-acquisition traits.
New research reveals that Arctic shrub communities can release stored carbon from soils, offsetting potential carbon sequestration. This could lead to a net source of CO2 in the atmosphere if not addressed.
Researchers at University of Alaska Fairbanks found that seismic surveys can cause long-lasting scars on the tundra, affecting its hydrology and habitat. The study emphasizes the need for more data on seismic exploration impacts and better weather records to minimize damage in the Arctic Refuge.
Researchers found that warming temperatures and wetter weather are causing woody plants to spread across tundra and savanna landscapes, transforming unique biodiversity and affecting climate systems.
A 46,000-year-old horned lark found in Siberian permafrost has provided valuable insights into the evolution of sub species and the transformation of ecosystems during the last Ice Age. The analysis suggests that the bird belonged to a population that was a joint ancestor of two sub species of horned larks living today.
A global team of scientists is analyzing satellite and drone data to better understand the impact of climate change on Arctic vegetation. The research found that the greening of Arctic regions is caused by more than just warming temperatures, with other changes including differences in snowmelt and landscape wetness.
Researchers found that tundra warming significantly increases VOC release from plants, shifting composition towards more reactive hydrocarbons. This change in VOCs could impact plant-animal interactions and ecosystem resilience.
Research suggests early melting of winter snowfall is driving the Arctic's earlier spring season, with leaves and flowers emerging up to 20 days sooner than two decades ago. Warmer temperatures and sea ice loss also contribute to this trend.
Researchers found that alpine tundra in Colorado's Front Range emits more CO2 than it captures annually, potentially creating a feedback loop. The study suggests higher-than-expected year-round microbial activity, even without deep insulating snowpack, and may liberate decades-to-centuries-old carbon from the landscape.
A global study by over 100 researchers links climate change to the emergence of taller plant species in the Arctic and alpine tundra, where low-growing grasses and shrubs typically dominate. The study found that temperatures have risen significantly in these regions, leading to an increase in plant community height.
New research reveals Arctic plant height increased by 20-60% over 30 years, with non-native species like vernal sweetgrass spreading into the region. Soil moisture plays a crucial role in changing plant traits, contrary to previous climate change models.
A study by researchers from Germany found that taller plant species have taken over the Arctic tundra in recent decades, with a significant increase in plant height observed over the past three decades. Climate warming is believed to be the underlying cause of this shift.
A study by Zicheng Yu of Lehigh University aims to understand the dynamics of peatlands in the Arctic Tundra and their role in mitigating climate change. The research will investigate the formation, distribution, and dynamics of peat patches in the Arctic Tundra and assess their implications for global carbon storage capacity.
Warming alters Arctic tundra ecosystems, with wolf spiders affecting herbivores and soil animals; Collembola populations decline under warm conditions, while decomposition slows.
New research from Washington University in St. Louis found that warming conditions can alter the way wolf spiders interact with their prey, including springtails and fungi, leading to changes in ecosystem processes like decomposition. This shift could potentially alleviate some impacts of global warming on carbon losses from the tundra.
Researchers found that plants in northern Alaska's tussock tundra took up nitrate at comparable rates to vegetation in nitrate-rich ecosystems. This discovery has important implications for predicting which arctic plant species will dominate as the climate warms, and how much carbon tundra ecosystems can store.
Research found that warmer June temperatures lead to faster shrub growth in arctic tundra, challenging adapted species like caribou. Annual ring measurements revealed a strong link between June temperature and shrub growth.
A recent study published in Nature Communications suggests that reindeer grazing can help protect tundra plant diversity in a warming climate. By allowing more plant species to co-exist and benefit from warmer conditions, reindeer can increase light availability and preserve small and slowly-growing plant species.
A new study by UMass Lowell researchers has identified gaseous mercury as the major source of pollution in the Arctic tundra. The findings reveal that airborne mercury is gathering in the region's soil and ultimately running off into waters, posing a significant threat to human health and wildlife.
A new study identifies the isotopic fingerprint of nitrous oxide produced by Arctic soils, shedding light on climate change mitigation actions. The research opens up new avenues for predicting future trends in atmospheric nitrous oxide and identifying greenhouse gas sources in the Arctic.
New research reveals that as taller shrubs expand into the tundra, nutrients in their leaf litter can either promote or reduce nitrogen fixation. The study, led by Kathrin Rousk and Anders Michelsen, found that warming conditions stimulate nitrogen fixation rates in mosses, but further shrub expansion will depend on dominant species.
A study found that reindeer grazing in the Arctic tundra can increase surface albedo, leading to a decrease in net radiation and a potential cooling effect on climate. The researchers used land surface computer modeling and field measurements to estimate the impact of reindeer activity on vegetation characteristics.
The discovery of Ball's Antarctic Tundra Beetle sheds light on Antarctica's ancient insect fauna. The new species is the second known beetle for the continent with living descendants, and its presence confirms that tundra ecosystems persisted in Antarctica for millions of years.