Climatic change on King George Island in the years 1948–2011

Abstract

Abstract:The climatic change on King George Island (KGI) in the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica, in the years of 1948-2011 are presented. In the reference period, a statistically significant increase in the air temperature (0.19°C/10 years, 1.2°C in the analysed period) occurred along with a decrease in atmospheric pressure (−0.36 hPa/10 years, 2.3 hPa). In winter time, the warming up is more than twice as large as in summer. This leads to decrease in the amplitude of the annual cycle of air temperature. On KGI, there is also a warming trend of daily maximum and daily minimum air temperature. The evidently faster increase in daily minimum results in a decrease of the diurnal temperature range. The largest changes of air pressure took place in the summertime (−0.58 hPa/10 years) and winter (−0.34 hPa/10 years). The Semiannual Oscillation pattern of air pressure was disturbed. Climate changes on KGI are correlated with changing surface temperatures of the ocean and the concentra− tion of sea ice. The precipitation on KGI is characterised by substantial variability year to year. In the analysed period, no statistically significant trend in atmospheric precipitation can be observed. The climate change on KGI results in substantial and rapid changes in the environment, which poses a great threat to the local ecosystem.

Bedload transport in two creeks at the ice-free area of the Baranowski Glacier, King George Island, West Antarctica

“…Similarly a mean air temperature of -2.8°C was given for Fildes Peninsula by Simões et al (1999) for the period of 1947-1995. It is important that during this period the temperature was highly variable and for the coldest years 1948-1950, the mean annual temperature was equal to -3.6°C. In addition, a significant warming trend is observed, reaching 0.19°C per decade (Kejna et al 2013a). Due to the increase in air temperature, the response of the glaciers is clearly visible.…”

“…In particular, one of the most important factors of decrease in glaciers' area is mean annual air temperature. For the period of 1948-2011, the mean air temperature calculated from Admiralty Bay (1948-1960), Deception Island (1948-1967, Bellingshausen (1968-2011) and Ferraz Station (1986 was -2.5°C (Kejna et al 2013a). Similarly a mean air temperature of -2.8°C was given for Fildes Peninsula by Simões et al (1999) for the period of 1947-1995. It is important that during this period the temperature was highly variable and for the coldest years 1948-1950, the mean annual temperature was equal to -3.6°C.…”

Spatial structure of the soil seed bank of Poa annua L.—alien species in the Antarctica

“…This difference may also be associated with a seasonal variation in germination ability of P. annua in the Antarctic caused by huge differences between years in meteorological conditions (temperature, liquid water aviability, snow cover etc.) during the vegetation season (Kejna et al 2013). …”

An analysis of fungal propagules transported to the Henryk Arctowski Antarctic Station

“…Neverthe− less, the fungi which are accidentally introduced to colonize a new environment, be− sides viable propagules, must, above all, have the ecophysiological characteristics required for survival in the polar environment and to allow the species to grow and establish (Ellis−Evans and Walton 1990;Pearce et al 2009). During the austral summer the mean air temperature in the vicinity of Arctowski Station may reach 2.5°C (maximum 10.4°C, minimum −1.3°C) with wide daily fluc− tuations including temperatures dropping below freezing (Kejna 2008;Kejna et al 2013). Recently, the Antarctic Peninsula is one of the fastest warming regions on the Earth.…”