Articles tagged with Tundra
A NASA study has found that nearly a third of the land cover in the Arctic is turning green, with western Alaska and Quebec experiencing significant changes between 1984 and 2012. The study used high-resolution Landsat data to track vegetation trends across a 4.1 million square-mile area.
Researchers project a fourfold increase in fire probability by century's end, with tundra and forest-tundra boundary most vulnerable. Increased fires could release stored carbon into atmosphere, exacerbating global warming.
Recent changes in Alaska's tundra landscape allowed moose to expand their habitat northward by hundreds of miles. The study found that increased shrub height and longer summers created a suitable environment for the iconic species.
Researchers found that plant gases released in response to climate changes can form clouds that reflect incoming solar radiation, cooling the ground and mitigating temperature rises. This effect is more sensitive than CO2 release through plant respiration, with a 20-fold increase in sensitivity to temperature rise.
A new Dartmouth study finds that Arctic soils are releasing stored carbon into the atmosphere at an accelerated rate due to rising temperatures and moisture levels. The research suggests that warmer conditions could create a positive feedback loop, further boosting global temperatures.
A study finds that brief warm periods can cause rapid ice wedge thawing in Arctic permafrost, leading to increased runoff and changes in the water balance. The research suggests that the Arctic will lose lakes and wetland areas if permafrost retreats, accelerating greenhouse gas emissions.
The global checklist of hornworts and liverworts is a crucial component of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation, aiming to halt plant diversity loss. The initiative has been developed by an international team of researchers, who have utilized existing datasets and centralised nomenclature, taxonomy, and geography on a global scale.
A new study finds that Arctic tundra releases at least as much methane during its cold season as it does during summer, challenging current climate change models. The research team found that up to half of annual methane emissions occur in the cold months, with drier tundra sites emitting more methane than wetland sites.
Wildfires on Arctic tundra can contribute to permafrost thaw, changing ecosystems and affecting downstream waters. Researchers used lidar data to document thawing in the Anaktuvuk River fire's footprint, observing thermokarst and irregular topography.
A recent Arctic tundra study found that climate warming is driving dramatic changes in the region's vegetation, with shrubs growing more in warmer temperatures. This increase in shrub growth can lead to more warming in tundra ecosystems and globally.
Heavy January rains in Svalbard caused record-breaking snow avalanches, making roads impassable. The extreme event also affected reindeer populations and permafrost temperatures, highlighting the increasing impact of climate change on Arctic ecosystems.
A team of scientists discovered a 3-million-year-old tundra landscape preserved under the Greenland Ice Sheet, suggesting the ice sheet has endured for longer than previously known. The findings indicate that even during warm periods, the center of Greenland remained stable, preventing the complete melting of the ice sheet.
Researchers discover 3-million-year-old organic soil frozen beneath 2 miles of ice, indicating the Greenland Ice Sheet has persisted longer than known. The ancient landscape suggests a stable center during warm periods, with minimal erosion.
Researchers have gathered data on Arctic tundra ecosystems, revealing temperature's decisive role in shaping food chains and ecosystem function. The study also highlights the importance of predation in regulating energy flows and ecosystem dynamics.
Climate change poses an existential threat to Arctic wildlife and ecosystems, with unique species at risk of extinction. The Arctic is home to over 21,000 species, many of which are highly adapted to the harsh environment.
Researchers will measure mercury in atmosphere, snowpack, and soil to track its movement in the tundra. The study aims to understand the role of soils in mercury cycling and assess a theory of enhanced mercury deposition during Arctic winters.
Researchers found that while vegetation growth in the Arctic boosts carbon release, it's not enough to offset the losses from thawing permafrost. The study simulated warming of Arctic permafrost and measured carbon release from the soil and microbes.
Despite its severity, the 2007 Anaktuvuk River fire in Alaska's North Slope surprisingly allowed vegetation to recover and potentially return to pre-fire conditions. Researchers found that post-fire plant succession resulted in a mixture of shrubs and sedges similar to those before the fire.
Research reveals Arctic plants are adapting to rising temperatures by growing taller and expanding, particularly evergreen shrubs, with vascular species like shrubs and plants becoming more widespread
A new study found that trees at the edge of Alaska's tundra are growing faster due to a hotter climate, suggesting some forests may be adapting. The added growth is helping the trees thrive in this region, which has experienced rapid warming.
A massive Arctic wildfire released 20 times more carbon to the atmosphere than undisturbed tundra, accelerating the transformation of tundra ecosystems. The impacts could have profound implications on atmospheric carbon and climate as the Arctic landscape warms and shrubs appear in place of grasses and mosses.
A record-breaking tundra fire in Alaska's North Slope released as much carbon as the tundra stored in 50 years, according to scientists. The study highlights the rapid impact of climate warming on tundra ecosystems.
A University of Florida study shows that Arctic tundra fires can release significant amounts of soil-bound carbon into the atmosphere, potentially accelerating global climate warming. The 2007 Anaktuvuk River fire in Alaska released 2.1 million metric tons of carbon, equivalent to twice the amount emitted by the city of Miami in a year.
Researchers evaluate the U.S. National Fire Plan's effectiveness in restoring western U.S. forests and its impact on native lizard populations, including the return of the eastern collared lizard to the Ozarks. The study also examines historical fire records and sediment cores to better understand the Arctic Tundra's fire regime.
Climate models project significant changes in Arctic ecosystems by 2099, with tundra coverage shrinking and temperate climates expanding; forest expansion may amplify global warming, impact wildlife habitats.
A new study reveals that tundra fires in Alaska's North Slope are linked to rising Arctic temperatures and nonlinear climate conditions. The research found a dramatic relationship between temperature and frequency of fires, with temperatures above 10 degrees Celsius increasing fire occurrence.
Recent studies suggest that global warming could accelerate at a faster pace, leading to more environmental damage and releasing billions of tons of greenhouse gas. IPCC scientist Chris Field warns of the potential for catastrophic consequences, including devastating wildfires in tropical forests and permafrost thawing.
A study by University of Calgary researchers found that mountain caribou populations are remnants of a blending between two major subspecies of caribou during the last ice age. The analysis of DNA and tracking data showed that they are hybrids with genetic expressions of migratory behavior.
Recently published research by University of Alaska Fairbanks scientists found a previously undocumented layer of organic matter on top of and in permafrost, which can release carbon into the atmosphere as temperatures warm
A research team led by Boston University's David Marchant has discovered exceptionally well-preserved freshwater fossils in Antarctica, which reveal the ecological legacy of a unique global climate transition. The findings indicate that tundra and insects went extinct suddenly around 13.9 million years ago due to dramatic cooling.
Researchers found that ancient sediment cores indicate the arctic tundra burned frequently in the past, with some fires occurring as often as every 30 years. A warming climate could make this type of burning more common, leading to increased greenhouse gas emissions and releasing stored carbon into the atmosphere.
A recent study found that Arctic birds carry antibiotics-resistant bacteria, highlighting the global spread of antibiotic resistance. The researchers believe immigrating birds from Southeast Asia may have introduced these resistant bacteria to the tundra.
A University of Alberta study reveals that tundra treelines are advancing at a faster pace than previously thought, leading to significant changes in vegetation and habitat loss. The researchers found that warmer temperatures triggered an 'upslope surge' of trees, forcing out native species and altering the landscape.
Research suggests past fires can predict vegetation composition and structure by analyzing tree rings. This insight helps scientists understand the role of fire in shaping ecosystems over time.
Increasing summer temperatures in northern Alaska are lengthening the snow-free season, allowing shrubs and trees to migrate northward. The region's vegetation change is accelerating global warming by absorbing solar radiation, leading to a positive feedback loop.
A study in western Alaska found that vegetation growth, particularly shrubs, interacts with snow to affect Earth's albedo and alter the winter energy balance of the Arctic. This could lead to accelerated warming and changes in the region's carbon budget, with implications for the rest of the world.
The project aims to present evidence for the existence of ultra-psychrophiles in sub-freezing environments like Alaskan permafrost. The research has broader impacts, including more reliable climate predictions and development of efficient biocatalysts for below freezing temperatures.
Climate models project a significant impact on Alaska's tundra ecosystem, with up to 90% loss of tundra area by 2100. Increased precipitation and temperature changes will lead to shifts in vegetation, insect and pathogen attacks, and potential forest fires.
Research reveals microbes under Colorado snowpack drive tundra ecosystem's short-growing season productivity, and are key to nitrogen cycling. The study also identifies previously unknown fungi species.
Small-scale human disturbances, such as heavy vehicle use and recreation, are reducing species diversity in Arctic ecosystems. The study found that these disturbances can cause lasting changes, including melting permafrost and decreased plant biodiversity.
Recent experiments on Alaska's North Slope show that the arctic tundra is now releasing more carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere than it absorbs. This could exacerbate global warming due to the release of stored carbon from thawing permafrost.