The influence of boreal forest dynamics on the current state of permafrost in Central Yakutia

Novopriezzhaya

et al. 2020

Land

The observed global warming has significant impacts on permafrost. Permafrost changes modify landscapes and cause damage to infrastructure. The main purpose of this study was to estimate permafrost temperatures and active-layer thicknesses during the Holocene intervals with significantly warmer-than-present climates—the Atlantic (5500 years BP), Subboreal (3500 years BP) and Subatlantic (1000 years BP) optimums. Estimates were obtained using the ready-to-use models derived by G.M. Feldman, as well as mathematical modeling taking account of the paleogeography of the Holocene warm intervals. The data obtained were analyzed to reveal the regional patterns of warming impacts on different permafrost landscapes. The study results will be useful in predicting future permafrost changes in response to climate warming.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Retrospective Analysis of Permafrost Landscape Evolution in Yakutia during the Holocene Warm Intervals

Novopriezzhaya

et al. 2020

Land

“…For example, we could not show the temporal variability in the successional stages of vegetation after disturbing the ground temperature and the active layer thickness on the maps. However, such studies showed that the complete disturbance of the vegetation cover led to an increase in ground temperature by 1-1.5 • C and an increase in active layer thickness on 1 m [55,56]. The evolution parameters of permafrost during the current climate warming were also known from 0.5 to 1-2 • C [20,57].…”

Section: Figure 2 Fragment Of Attribute Table and Its Map Representation In The Arcgis Environment Symbols In Attribute Tablementioning

confidence: 99%

Mapping the Main Characteristics of Permafrost on the Basis of a Permafrost-Landscape Map of Yakutia Using GIS

Shestakova

Torgovkin

et al. 2021

Land

The purpose of this article was to compile four separate digital thematic maps of temperature and ice content of permafrost, the active layer thickness, and cryogenic processes in Yakutia as a basis for assessing changes to modern climate changes and anthropogenic disturbances. In this work, materials on permafrost were used, serving as the basis for compiling a permafrost landscape map of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). The maps were compiled using ArcGIS software, which supports attribute table mapping. The ground temperature and active layer thickness maps reflected landscape zonality and regional differences. Peculiarities of genetic types of Quaternary deposits and climatic conditions reflected the ice content of surface sediments and cryogenic process distribution maps. One of the most common is ground temperatures from −2.1 to −4.0 °C, which were found to occupy about 37.4% of the territory of Yakutia. More than half of the region was found to be occupied by permafrost landscapes with a limited thickness of the active layer up to 1.1 m. Ice-rich permafrost (more than 0.4 in ice content) was found to be typical for about 40% of the territory. Thermokarst is the most hazardous process that occurs in half of Yakutia.

“…Climate warming may lead to major changes in species distributions and ecosystem function of Earth's high altitude and latitude regions (Jonas, Rixen, Sturm, & Stoeckli, 2008; Rofner et al, 2017). In high‐latitude regions, wetlands (e.g., arctic tundra, boreal wetlands, peatlands) and permafrost could be interdependent in some cases (Fedorov, Konstantinov, Vasilyev, & Shestakova, 2019; Jin, Sun, Yu, Jin, & He, 2008; Jorgenson, Racine, Walters, & Osterkamp, 2001). The sustainability of northern wetlands relies on the integrity of permafrost that prevents vertical drainage and retains soil moisture (Jin et al, 2020; Natali et al, 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Simulating potential impacts of climate changes on distribution pattern and carbon storage function of high‐latitude wetland plant communities in the Xing'anling Mountains, China

et al. 2021

Though one of the most vulnerable terrestrial ecosystems, wetlands provide multiple ecosystem services, most notably storing carbon. It is now widely recognized that climate change could have a large impact on high-latitude wetlands. A key question is how climate change will affect the distribution pattern of wetland plant communities, and to what extent the transitions among different wetland plant communities respond to regional warming? To answer this question, we estimated the total SOC storage with 139 soil profiles in the Xing'anling Mountains and performed ensemble species distribution modelling for 11 dominant wetland plant communities by using numerous vegetation plots. Results show that 4.5-23.8% of the high-latitude wetlands in the study area would be lost following widespread thawing of permafrost under different climate warming scenarios by the end of this century. The total wetland SOC in the Xing'anling Mountains is estimated to be 1.58 Pg, about 25.5-29.3% of the total of China's wetlands, however, predicted wetland loss could put 5.4-20.5% (0.08-0.32 Pg C) of the total SOC storage at risk of instability. Our results also predicted a significant northward migration of southern Deyeuxia angustifolia communities driven by future climate changes. This wetland succession could profoundly reduce future carbon sequestration capacity of wetlands in the study area. The findings presented here are helpful for both current reserve management and future conservation planning of wetlands in the study area.