Recent above-ground biomass changes in central Chukotka (Russian Far East) using field sampling and Landsat satellite data

• Published in: Biogeosciences
• Main Authors: Shevtsova, Iuliia, Herzschuh, Ulrike, Heim, Birgit, Schulte, Luise, Stünzi, Simone, Pestryakova, Luidmila A., Zakharov, Evgeniy S., Kruse, Stefan
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 2021
• Subjects: Arctic; Chukotka; taiga; Tundra
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-3343-2021; https://bg.copernicus.org/articles/18/3343/2021/

Upscaling plant biomass distribution and dynamics is essential for estimating carbon stocks and carbon balance. In this respect, the Russian Far East is among the least investigated sub-Arctic regions despite its known vegetation sensitivity to ongoing warming. We representatively harvested above-ground biomass (AGB; separated by dominant taxa) at 40 sampling plots in central Chukotka. We used ordination to relate field-based taxa projective cover and Landsat-derived vegetation indices. A general additive model was used to link the ordination scores to AGB. We then mapped AGB for paired Landsat-derived time slices (i.e. 2000/2001/2002 and 2016/2017), in four study regions covering a wide vegetation gradient from closed-canopy larch forests to barren alpine tundra. We provide AGB estimates and changes in AGB that were previously lacking for central Chukotka at a high spatial resolution and a detailed description of taxonomical contributions. Generally, AGB in the study region ranges from 0 to 16 kg m −2 , with Cajander larch providing the highest contribution. Comparison of changes in AGB within the investigated period shows that the greatest changes (up to 1.25 kg m −2 yr −1 ) occurred in the northern taiga and in areas where land cover changed to larch closed-canopy forest. As well as the notable changes, increases in AGB also occur within the land-cover classes. Our estimations indicate a general increase in total AGB throughout the investigated tundra–taiga and northern taiga, whereas the tundra showed no evidence of change in AGB.