Rapid responses of permafrost and vegetation to experimentally increased snow cover in sub-arctic Sweden

Increased snow depth already observed, and that predicted for the future are of critical importance to many geophysical and biological processes as well as human activities. The future characteristics of sub-arctic landscapes where permafrost is particularly vulnerable will depend on complex interac...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental Research Letters
Main Authors: Margareta Johansson, Terry V Callaghan, Julia Bosiö, H Jonas Åkerman, Marcin Jackowicz-Korczynski, Torben R Christensen
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: IOP Publishing 2013
Subjects:
snow manipulation
sub-arctic permafrost
active layer thickness
vegetation changes
Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering
TD1-1066
Environmental sciences
GE1-350
Science
Q
Physics
QC1-999
Arctic
Active layer thickness
Eriophorum
Peat
Peat plateau
permafrost
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/8/3/035025
https://doaj.org/article/11c241da4c8d498f92595a5ee227ab5f
Description
Summary:Increased snow depth already observed, and that predicted for the future are of critical importance to many geophysical and biological processes as well as human activities. The future characteristics of sub-arctic landscapes where permafrost is particularly vulnerable will depend on complex interactions between snow cover, vegetation and permafrost. An experimental manipulation was, therefore, set up on a lowland peat plateau with permafrost, in northernmost Sweden, to simulate projected future increases in winter precipitation and to study their effects on permafrost and vegetation. After seven years of treatment, statistically significant differences between manipulated and control plots were found in mean winter ground temperatures, which were 1.5 ° C higher in manipulated plots. During the winter, a difference in minimum temperatures of up to 9 ° C higher could be found in individual manipulated plots compared with control plots. Active layer thicknesses increased at the manipulated plots by almost 20% compared with the control plots and a mean surface subsidence of 24 cm was recorded in the manipulated plots compared to 5 cm in the control plots. The graminoid Eriophorum vaginatum has expanded in the manipulated plots and the vegetation remained green longer in the season.

Similar Items