Circumpolar distribution and carbon storage of thermokarst landscapes

Olefeldt, David; Goswami, Santonu; Grosse, Guido; Hayes, D. J.; Hugelius, Gustaf; Kuhry, Peter; McGuire, A. D.; Romanovsky, V. E.; Sannel, A. Britta K.; Schuur, Edward A. G.; Turetsky, M. R.

doi:10.1038/ncomms13043

Cited by 434 publications

(442 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…hermaphroditum, Vaccinium vitis-idaea L., Betula nana L., Rubus chamaemorus L., lichens, and mosses (33) and surfaces with high potential for N 2 O emissions: peatlands and thermokarst (current thermokarst landforms and areas with high susceptibility to future thermokarst development). Peatlands include histel and histosol landcover classes with >15% coverage (7,34), and thermokarst includes areas with high (30-60%) and very high (60-100%) estimated thermokarst coverage (35).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Increased nitrous oxide emissions from Arctic peatlands after permafrost thaw

Voigt

Marushchak

Lamprecht

et al. 2017

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

136

131

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Permafrost in the Arctic is thawing, exposing large carbon and nitrogen stocks for decomposition. Gaseous carbon release from Arctic soils due to permafrost thawing is known to be substantial, but growing evidence suggests that Arctic soils may also be relevant sources of nitrous oxide (N 2 O). Here we show that N 2 O emissions from subarctic peatlands increase as the permafrost thaws. In our study, the highest postthaw emissions occurred from bare peat surfaces, a typical landform in permafrost peatlands, where permafrost thaw caused a fivefold increase in emissions (0.56 ± 0.11 vs. 2.81 ± 0.6 mg N 2 O m −2 d −1 ). These emission rates match those from tropical forest soils, the world's largest natural terrestrial N 2 O source. The presence of vegetation, known to limit N 2 O emissions in tundra, did decrease (by ∼90%) but did not prevent thaw-induced N 2 O release, whereas waterlogged conditions suppressed the emissions. We show that regions with high probability for N 2 O emissions cover one-fourth of the Arctic. Our results imply that the Arctic N 2 O budget will depend strongly on moisture changes, and that a gradual deepening of the active layer will create a strong noncarbon climate change feedback.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Increased nitrous oxide emissions from Arctic peatlands after permafrost thaw

Voigt

Marushchak

Lamprecht

et al. 2017

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

136

131

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Thawing releases these bubbles, which substantially contributes to this abrupt emission increase. In permafrost regions, increased temperature will have both direct and indirect effects on wetland C storage; permafrost thaw can dramatically affect hydrology in the Arctic, but the C consequences of that change are dependent upon landscape conditions (Olefeldt et al 2016). Permafrost thaw can lead to wetland drainage because permafrost restricts vertical water flow.…”

Section: Part 1: Wetlands In a Changing Climate: The Sciencementioning

confidence: 99%

Wetlands In a Changing Climate: Science, Policy and Management

Moomaw

Chmura

Davies³

et al. 2018

Wetlands

299

142

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Part 1 of this review synthesizes recent research on status and climate vulnerability of freshwater and saltwater wetlands, and their contribution to addressing climate change (carbon cycle, adaptation, resilience). Peatlands and vegetated coastal wetlands are among the most carbon rich sinks on the planet sequestering approximately as much carbon as do global forest ecosystems. Estimates of the consequences of rising temperature on current wetland carbon storage and future carbon sequestration potential are summarized. We also demonstrate the need to prevent drying of wetlands and thawing of permafrost by disturbances and rising temperatures to protect wetland carbon stores and climate adaptation/resiliency ecosystem services. Preventing further wetland loss is found to be important in limiting future emissions to meet climate goals, but is seldom considered. In Part 2, the paper explores the policy and management realm from international to national, subnational and local levels to identify strategies and policies reflecting an integrated understanding of both wetland and climate change science. Specific recommendations are made to capture synergies between wetlands and carbon cycle management, adaptation and resiliency to further enable researchers, policy makers and practitioners to protect wetland carbon and climate adaptation/resiliency ecosystem services.

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“…Thermokarst landscapes (i.e., thawing ice-rich permafrost) cover ∼ 20 % (3.6 × 10 6 km −2 ) of the northern circumpolar permafrost region (Olefeldt et al, 2016). Ice Complex deposit and thermokarst landscapes cover 2400 km of the ESS coastline (Grigoriev and Rachold, 2003).…”

Section: Background and Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Sources and characteristics of terrestrial carbon in Holocene-scale sediments of the East Siberian Sea

et al. 2017

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Abstract. Thawing of permafrost carbon (PF-C) due to climate warming can remobilise considerable amounts of terrestrial carbon from its long-term storage to the marine environment. PF-C can be then be buried in sediments or remineralised to CO 2 with implications for the carbon-climate feedback. Studying historical sediment records during past natural climate changes can help us to understand the response of permafrost to current climate warming. In this study, two sediment cores collected from the East Siberian Sea were used to study terrestrial organic carbon sources, composition and degradation during the past ∼ 9500 cal yrs BP. CuO-derived lignin and cutin products (i.e., compounds solely biosynthesised in terrestrial plants) combined with δ 13 C suggest that there was a higher input of terrestrial organic carbon to the East Siberian Sea between ∼ 9500 and 8200 cal yrs BP than in all later periods. This high input was likely caused by marine transgression and permafrost destabilisation in the early Holocene climatic optimum. Based on source apportionment modelling using dual-carbon isotope ( 14 C, δ 13 C) data, coastal erosion releasing old Pleistocene permafrost carbon was identified as a significant source of organic matter translocated to the East Siberian Sea during the Holocene.

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Circumpolar distribution and carbon storage of thermokarst landscapes

Cited by 434 publications

References 53 publications

Increased nitrous oxide emissions from Arctic peatlands after permafrost thaw

Increased nitrous oxide emissions from Arctic peatlands after permafrost thaw

Wetlands In a Changing Climate: Science, Policy and Management

Sources and characteristics of terrestrial carbon in Holocene-scale sediments of the East Siberian Sea

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