Coupled Changes in the Arctic Carbon Cycle Between the Land, Marine, and Social Domains

• Published in: Earth's Future
• Main Authors: Xiaodong Wu, Robie Macdonald, Tonghua Wu
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2023
• Subjects: Arctic; carbon cycle; climate change; climate adaptation; permafrost; Arctic Ocean; Environmental sciences; GE1-350; Ecology; QH540-549.5; Climate change; Ice; Sea ice
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1029/2022EF003293; https://doaj.org/article/9ab01e5c8a1d4dbfb13d66ad67dc2e0d

Abstract The Arctic has experienced rapid change associated with warming since the 1970s. The rapid retreat of the terrestrial cryosphere can release a large amount greenhouse gas from the permafrost regions into the air, and the sea ice decline will affect the CO2 and CH4 balance in the ocean. Changes in the Arctic provide feedback mechanisms that can also impinge on the global ocean’s thermohaline circulation. During the past years, the overall natural processes in the Arctic have been studied although the magnitude and timing of carbon release from the cryosphere changes require further investigation. However, few studies have been conducted to link the natural and social systems in the Arctic. Scientists and policymakers must consider the coupled Arctic land, ocean, and social systems in their decisions for coping with climate change.