DOI 10.1007/s13280-011-0213-x Multiple Effects of Changes in Arctic Snow Cover

Abstract Snow cover plays a major role in the climate, hydrological and ecological systems of the Arctic and other regions through its influence on the surface energy balance (e.g. reflectivity), water balance (e.g. water storage and release), thermal regimes (e.g. insulation), vegetation and trace...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Terry V. Callaghan, Margareta Johansson, Ross D. Brown, Pavel Ya. Groisman, Niklas Labba, Vladimir Radionov, Raymond S. Bradley, Sylvie Blangy, Olga N. Bulygina, Torben R. Christensen, Jonathan E. Colman, Richard L. H. Essery, Bruce C. Forbes, Mads C. Forchhammer, Vladimir N. Golubev, Richard E. Honrath, Glenn P. Juday, Anna V. Meshcherskaya, Gareth K. Phoenix, John Pomeroy, Arja Rautio, David A. Robinson, Niels M. Schmidt, Mark C. Serreze, Vladimir P. Shevchenko, Er I. Shiklomanov, Andrey B. Shmakin, Peter Sköld, Matthew Sturm, Ming-ko Woo, Eric F. Wood, Richard E. Honrath—deceased
Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
Format: Text
Language:English
Subjects:
Arctic
Human health
Online Access:http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.296.6738
http://www.lter.uaf.edu/pdf/1663_Callaghan_Johansson_2012.pdf
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Summary:Abstract Snow cover plays a major role in the climate, hydrological and ecological systems of the Arctic and other regions through its influence on the surface energy balance (e.g. reflectivity), water balance (e.g. water storage and release), thermal regimes (e.g. insulation), vegetation and trace gas fluxes. Feedbacks to the climate system have global consequences. The livelihoods and well-being of Arctic residents and many services for the wider population depend on snow conditions so changes have important consequences. Already, changing snow conditions, particularly reduced summer soil moisture, winter thaw events and rain-on-snow conditions have negatively affected commercial forestry, reindeer herding, some wild animal populations and vegetation. Reductions in snow cover are also adversely impacting indigenous peoples ’ access to traditional foods with negative impacts on human health and well-being. However, there are likely to be some benefits from a changing Arctic snow regime such as more even run-off from melting snow that favours hydropower operations.

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