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Blume-Werry G, Dorrepaal E, Keuper F, Kummu M, Wild B, Weedon JT. Arctic rooting depth distribution influences modelled carbon emissions but cannot be inferred from aboveground vegetation type. New Phytol 2023; 240:502-514. [PMID: 37227127 DOI: 10.1111/nph.18998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The distribution of roots throughout the soil drives depth-dependent plant-soil interactions and ecosystem processes, particularly in arctic tundra where plant biomass, is predominantly belowground. Vegetation is usually classified from aboveground, but it is unclear whether such classifications are suitable to estimate belowground attributes and their consequences, such as rooting depth distribution and its influence on carbon cycling. We performed a meta-analysis of 55 published arctic rooting depth profiles, testing for differences both between distributions based on aboveground vegetation types (Graminoid, Wetland, Erect-shrub, and Prostrate-shrub tundra) and between 'Root Profile Types' for which we defined three representative and contrasting clusters. We further analyzed potential impacts of these different rooting depth distributions on rhizosphere priming-induced carbon losses from tundra soils. Rooting depth distribution hardly differed between aboveground vegetation types but varied between Root Profile Types. Accordingly, modelled priming-induced carbon emissions were similar between aboveground vegetation types when they were applied to the entire tundra, but ranged from 7.2 to 17.6 Pg C cumulative emissions until 2100 between individual Root Profile Types. Variations in rooting depth distribution are important for the circumpolar tundra carbon-climate feedback but can currently not be inferred adequately from aboveground vegetation type classifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gesche Blume-Werry
- Experimental Plant Ecology, Institute of Botany and Landscape Ecology, Greifswald University, 17487, Greifswald, Germany
- Climate Impacts Research Centre, Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Umeå University, 981 07, Abisko, Sweden
| | - Ellen Dorrepaal
- Climate Impacts Research Centre, Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Umeå University, 981 07, Abisko, Sweden
| | - Frida Keuper
- BioEcoAgro Joint Research Unit, INRAE, F-02000, Barenton-Bugny, France
| | - Matti Kummu
- Water and Development Research Group, Aalto University, 00076, Aalto, Finland
| | - Birgit Wild
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, 114 18, Stockholm, Sweden
- Bolin Centre for Climate Research, Stockholm University, 114 18, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - James T Weedon
- Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment (A-LIFE), Systems Ecology Section, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Monteux S, Weedon JT, Blume-Werry G, Gavazov K, Jassey VEJ, Johansson M, Keuper F, Olid C, Dorrepaal E. Correction: Long-term in situ permafrost thaw effects on bacterial communities and potential aerobic respiration. ISME J 2019; 13:2140-2142. [PMID: 31024154 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-019-0384-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Since the publication of the original article, the authors noticed some errors in reference citation had been introduced throughout the paper. The following text contains excerpts from the original article and how they should appear with correct referencing. The publisher apologises for any inconvenience this has caused readers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvain Monteux
- Climate Impacts Research Centre (CIRC), Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Umeå Universitet, Abisko, 981 07, Sweden.
| | - James T Weedon
- Systems Ecology, Department of Ecological Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, 1081 HV, The Netherlands.,PLECO, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Gesche Blume-Werry
- Climate Impacts Research Centre (CIRC), Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Umeå Universitet, Abisko, 981 07, Sweden
| | - Konstantin Gavazov
- Climate Impacts Research Centre (CIRC), Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Umeå Universitet, Abisko, 981 07, Sweden.,Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Lausanne, CH-1015, Switzerland
| | - Vincent E J Jassey
- Functional Ecology and Environment Laboratory (ECOLAB), Department of Biology and Geosciences, UMR 6245 Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, Toulouse cedex 09, 31062, France
| | - Margareta Johansson
- Department of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science, Lund Universitet, Lund, 223 62, Sweden
| | - Frida Keuper
- INRA, AgroImpact UR1158, Site Laon, Barenton Bugny, 02000, France
| | - Carolina Olid
- Climate Impacts Research Centre (CIRC), Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Umeå Universitet, Abisko, 981 07, Sweden
| | - Ellen Dorrepaal
- Climate Impacts Research Centre (CIRC), Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Umeå Universitet, Abisko, 981 07, Sweden
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Monteux S, Weedon JT, Blume-Werry G, Gavazov K, Jassey VEJ, Johansson M, Keuper F, Olid C, Dorrepaal E. Long-term in situ permafrost thaw effects on bacterial communities and potential aerobic respiration. ISME J 2018; 12:2129-2141. [PMID: 29875436 PMCID: PMC6092332 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-018-0176-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2017] [Revised: 03/15/2018] [Accepted: 03/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
The decomposition of large stocks of soil organic carbon in thawing permafrost might depend on more than climate change-induced temperature increases: indirect effects of thawing via altered bacterial community structure (BCS) or rooting patterns are largely unexplored. We used a 10-year in situ permafrost thaw experiment and aerobic incubations to investigate alterations in BCS and potential respiration at different depths, and the extent to which they are related with each other and with root density. Active layer and permafrost BCS strongly differed, and the BCS in formerly frozen soils (below the natural thawfront) converged under induced deep thaw to strongly resemble the active layer BCS, possibly as a result of colonization by overlying microorganisms. Overall, respiration rates decreased with depth and soils showed lower potential respiration when subjected to deeper thaw, which we attributed to gradual labile carbon pool depletion. Despite deeper rooting under induced deep thaw, root density measurements did not improve soil chemistry-based models of potential respiration. However, BCS explained an additional unique portion of variation in respiration, particularly when accounting for differences in organic matter content. Our results suggest that by measuring bacterial community composition, we can improve both our understanding and the modeling of the permafrost carbon feedback.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvain Monteux
- Climate Impacts Research Centre (CIRC), Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Umeå Universitet, 981 07, Abisko, Sweden.
| | - James T Weedon
- Systems Ecology, Department of Ecological Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,PLECO, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Gesche Blume-Werry
- Climate Impacts Research Centre (CIRC), Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Umeå Universitet, 981 07, Abisko, Sweden
| | - Konstantin Gavazov
- Climate Impacts Research Centre (CIRC), Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Umeå Universitet, 981 07, Abisko, Sweden.,Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Vincent E J Jassey
- Functional Ecology and Environment Laboratory (ECOLAB), Department of Biology and Geosciences, UMR 6245 Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, 31062, Toulouse cedex 09, France
| | - Margareta Johansson
- Department of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science, Lund Universitet, 223 62, Lund, Sweden
| | - Frida Keuper
- INRA, AgroImpact UR1158, Site Laon, 02000, Barenton Bugny, France
| | - Carolina Olid
- Climate Impacts Research Centre (CIRC), Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Umeå Universitet, 981 07, Abisko, Sweden
| | - Ellen Dorrepaal
- Climate Impacts Research Centre (CIRC), Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Umeå Universitet, 981 07, Abisko, Sweden
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Keuper F, Dorrepaal E, van Bodegom PM, van Logtestijn R, Venhuizen G, van Hal J, Aerts R. Experimentally increased nutrient availability at the permafrost thaw front selectively enhances biomass production of deep-rooting subarctic peatland species. Glob Chang Biol 2017; 23:4257-4266. [PMID: 28675586 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.13804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2016] [Accepted: 05/31/2017] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Climate warming increases nitrogen (N) mineralization in superficial soil layers (the dominant rooting zone) of subarctic peatlands. Thawing and subsequent mineralization of permafrost increases plant-available N around the thaw-front. Because plant production in these peatlands is N-limited, such changes may substantially affect net primary production and species composition. We aimed to identify the potential impact of increased N-availability due to permafrost thawing on subarctic peatland plant production and species performance, relative to the impact of increased N-availability in superficial organic layers. Therefore, we investigated whether plant roots are present at the thaw-front (45 cm depth) and whether N-uptake (15 N-tracer) at the thaw-front occurs during maximum thaw-depth, coinciding with the end of the growing season. Moreover, we performed a unique 3-year belowground fertilization experiment with fully factorial combinations of deep- (thaw-front) and shallow-fertilization (10 cm depth) and controls. We found that certain species are present with roots at the thaw-front (Rubus chamaemorus) and have the capacity (R. chamaemorus, Eriophorum vaginatum) for N-uptake from the thaw-front between autumn and spring when aboveground tissue is largely senescent. In response to 3-year shallow-belowground fertilization (S) both shallow- (Empetrum hermaphroditum) and deep-rooting species increased aboveground biomass and N-content, but only deep-rooting species responded positively to enhanced nutrient supply at the thaw-front (D). Moreover, the effects of shallow-fertilization and thaw-front fertilization on aboveground biomass production of the deep-rooting species were similar in magnitude (S: 71%; D: 111% increase compared to control) and additive (S + D: 181% increase). Our results show that plant-available N released from thawing permafrost can form a thus far overlooked additional N-source for deep-rooting subarctic plant species and increase their biomass production beyond the already established impact of warming-driven enhanced shallow N-mineralization. This may result in shifts in plant community composition and may partially counteract the increased carbon losses from thawing permafrost.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frida Keuper
- Systems Ecology, Department of Ecological Science, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Climate Impacts Research Centre, Umeå University, Abisko, Sweden
- UR1158 AgroImpact, INRA, Barenton-Bugny, France
| | - Ellen Dorrepaal
- Systems Ecology, Department of Ecological Science, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Climate Impacts Research Centre, Umeå University, Abisko, Sweden
| | - Peter M van Bodegom
- Systems Ecology, Department of Ecological Science, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Richard van Logtestijn
- Systems Ecology, Department of Ecological Science, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Gemma Venhuizen
- Systems Ecology, Department of Ecological Science, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jurgen van Hal
- Systems Ecology, Department of Ecological Science, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rien Aerts
- Systems Ecology, Department of Ecological Science, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Tsyganov AN, Keuper F, Aerts R, Beyens L. Flourish or flush: effects of simulated extreme rainfall events on Sphagnum-dwelling testate amoebae in a subarctic bog (Abisko, Sweden). Microb Ecol 2013; 65:101-110. [PMID: 22956212 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-012-0115-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2012] [Accepted: 08/14/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Extreme precipitation events are recognised as important drivers of ecosystem responses to climate change and can considerably affect high-latitude ombrotrophic bogs. Therefore, understanding the relationships between increased rainfall and the biotic components of these ecosystems is necessary for an estimation of climate change impacts. We studied overall effects of increased magnitude, intensity and frequency of rainfall on assemblages of Sphagnum-dwelling testate amoebae in a field climate manipulation experiment located in a relatively dry subarctic bog (Abisko, Sweden). The effects of the treatment were estimated using abundance, species diversity and structure of living and empty shell assemblages of testate amoebae in living and decaying layers of Sphagnum. Our results show that increased rainfall reduced the mean abundance and species richness of living testate amoebae. Besides, the treatment affected species structure of both living and empty shell assemblages, reducing proportions of hydrophilous species. The effects are counterintuitive as increased precipitation-related substrate moisture was expected to have opposite effects on testate amoeba assemblages in relatively dry biotopes. Therefore, we conclude that other rainfall-related factors such as increased infiltration rates and frequency of environmental disturbances can also affect testate amoeba assemblages in Sphagnum and that hydrophilous species are particularly sensitive to variation in these environmental variables.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrey N Tsyganov
- Ecosystem Management Research Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium.
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Keuper F, Parmentier FJW, Blok D, van Bodegom PM, Dorrepaal E, van Hal JR, van Logtestijn RSP, Aerts R. Tundra in the rain: differential vegetation responses to three years of experimentally doubled summer precipitation in Siberian shrub and Swedish bog tundra. Ambio 2012; 41 Suppl 3:269-80. [PMID: 22864700 PMCID: PMC3535056 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-012-0305-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Precipitation amounts and patterns at high latitude sites have been predicted to change as a result of global climatic changes. We addressed vegetation responses to three years of experimentally increased summer precipitation in two previously unaddressed tundra types: Betula nana-dominated shrub tundra (northeast Siberia) and a dry Sphagnum fuscum-dominated bog (northern Sweden). Positive responses to approximately doubled ambient precipitation (an increase of 200 mm year(-1)) were observed at the Siberian site, for B. nana (30 % larger length increments), Salix pulchra (leaf size and length increments) and Arctagrostis latifolia (leaf size and specific leaf area), but none were observed at the Swedish site. Total biomass production did not increase at either of the study sites. This study corroborates studies in other tundra vegetation types and shows that despite regional differences at the plant level, total tundra plant productivity is, at least at the short or medium term, largely irresponsive to experimentally increased summer precipitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frida Keuper
- />Systems Ecology, Department of Ecological Science, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- />Climate Impacts Research Centre, Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Umeå University, 981 07 Abisko, Sweden
| | | | - Daan Blok
- />University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 10, 1350 Copenhagen K, Denmark
| | - Peter M. van Bodegom
- />Systems Ecology, Department of Ecological Science, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ellen Dorrepaal
- />Systems Ecology, Department of Ecological Science, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- />Climate Impacts Research Centre, Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Umeå University, 981 07 Abisko, Sweden
| | - Jurgen R. van Hal
- />Systems Ecology, Department of Ecological Science, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Richard S. P. van Logtestijn
- />Systems Ecology, Department of Ecological Science, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rien Aerts
- />Systems Ecology, Department of Ecological Science, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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7
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Elmendorf SC, Henry GHR, Hollister RD, Björk RG, Bjorkman AD, Callaghan TV, Collier LS, Cooper EJ, Cornelissen JHC, Day TA, Fosaa AM, Gould WA, Grétarsdóttir J, Harte J, Hermanutz L, Hik DS, Hofgaard A, Jarrad F, Jónsdóttir IS, Keuper F, Klanderud K, Klein JA, Koh S, Kudo G, Lang SI, Loewen V, May JL, Mercado J, Michelsen A, Molau U, Myers-Smith IH, Oberbauer SF, Pieper S, Post E, Rixen C, Robinson CH, Schmidt NM, Shaver GR, Stenström A, Tolvanen A, Totland O, Troxler T, Wahren CH, Webber PJ, Welker JM, Wookey PA. Global assessment of experimental climate warming on tundra vegetation: heterogeneity over space and time. Ecol Lett 2011; 15:164-75. [PMID: 22136670 DOI: 10.1111/j.1461-0248.2011.01716.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 375] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the sensitivity of tundra vegetation to climate warming is critical to forecasting future biodiversity and vegetation feedbacks to climate. In situ warming experiments accelerate climate change on a small scale to forecast responses of local plant communities. Limitations of this approach include the apparent site-specificity of results and uncertainty about the power of short-term studies to anticipate longer term change. We address these issues with a synthesis of 61 experimental warming studies, of up to 20 years duration, in tundra sites worldwide. The response of plant groups to warming often differed with ambient summer temperature, soil moisture and experimental duration. Shrubs increased with warming only where ambient temperature was high, whereas graminoids increased primarily in the coldest study sites. Linear increases in effect size over time were frequently observed. There was little indication of saturating or accelerating effects, as would be predicted if negative or positive vegetation feedbacks were common. These results indicate that tundra vegetation exhibits strong regional variation in response to warming, and that in vulnerable regions, cumulative effects of long-term warming on tundra vegetation - and associated ecosystem consequences - have the potential to be much greater than we have observed to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah C Elmendorf
- Department of Geography, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
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Johansson M, Åkerman J, Keuper F, Christensen TR, Lantuit H, Callaghan TV. Past and present permafrost temperatures in the Abisko area: redrilling of boreholes. Ambio 2011; 40:558-65. [PMID: 21954719 PMCID: PMC3357866 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-011-0163-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Monitoring of permafrost has been ongoing since 1978 in the Abisko area, northernmost Sweden, when measurements of active layer thickness started. In 1980, boreholes were drilled in three mires in the area to record permafrost temperatures. Recordings were made twice per year, and the last data were obtained in 2002. During the International Polar Year (2007-2008), new boreholes were drilled within the 'Back to the Future' (BTF) and 'Thermal State of Permafrost' (TSP) projects that enabled year-round temperature monitoring. Mean annual ground temperatures (MAGT) in the mires are close to 0 degrees C, ranging from -0.16 to -0.47 degrees C at 5 m depth. Data from the boreholes show increasing ground temperatures in the upper and lower part by 0.4 to 1 degree C between 1980 and 2002. At one mire, permafrost thickness has decreased from 15 m in 1980 to ca. 9 m in 2009, with an accelerating thawing trend during the last decade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margareta Johansson
- Division of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Analyses, Department of Earth and Ecosystem Sciences, Lund University, Sölvegatan 12, 223 62 Lund, Sweden
- Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, PO Box 50005, 104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jonas Åkerman
- Division of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Analyses, Department of Earth and Ecosystem Sciences, Lund University, Sölvegatan 12, 223 62 Lund, Sweden
| | - Frida Keuper
- Department of Systems Ecology, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Torben R. Christensen
- Division of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Analyses, Department of Earth and Ecosystem Sciences, Lund University, Sölvegatan 12, 223 62 Lund, Sweden
| | - Hugues Lantuit
- AWI Potsdam, Periglacial Section, Telegrafenberg A43, 14473 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Terry V. Callaghan
- Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, PO Box 50005, 104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Plant and Animal Sciences, Sheffield Centre for Arctic Ecology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 5BR UK
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9
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Callaghan TV, Tweedie CE, Åkerman J, Andrews C, Bergstedt J, Butler MG, Christensen TR, Cooley D, Dahlberg U, Danby RK, Daniёls FJA, de Molenaar JG, Dick J, Mortensen CE, Ebert-May D, Emanuelsson U, Eriksson H, Hedenås H, Henry GHR, Hik DS, Hobbie JE, Jantze EJ, Jaspers C, Johansson C, Johansson M, Johnson DR, Johnstone JF, Jonasson C, Kennedy C, Kenney AJ, Keuper F, Koh S, Krebs CJ, Lantuit H, Lara MJ, Lin D, Lougheed VL, Madsen J, Matveyeva N, McEwen DC, Myers-Smith IH, Narozhniy YK, Olsson H, Pohjola VA, Price LW, Rigét F, Rundqvist S, Sandström A, Tamstorf M, Van Bogaert R, Villarreal S, Webber PJ, Zemtsov VA. Multi-decadal changes in tundra environments and ecosystems: synthesis of the International Polar Year-Back to the Future project (IPY-BTF). Ambio 2011; 40:705-16. [PMID: 21954732 PMCID: PMC3357861 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-011-0179-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the responses of tundra systems to global change has global implications. Most tundra regions lack sustained environmental monitoring and one of the only ways to document multi-decadal change is to resample historic research sites. The International Polar Year (IPY) provided a unique opportunity for such research through the Back to the Future (BTF) project (IPY project #512). This article synthesizes the results from 13 papers within this Ambio Special Issue. Abiotic changes include glacial recession in the Altai Mountains, Russia; increased snow depth and hardness, permafrost warming, and increased growing season length in sub-arctic Sweden; drying of ponds in Greenland; increased nutrient availability in Alaskan tundra ponds, and warming at most locations studied. Biotic changes ranged from relatively minor plant community change at two sites in Greenland to moderate change in the Yukon, and to dramatic increases in shrub and tree density on Herschel Island, and in subarctic Sweden. The population of geese tripled at one site in northeast Greenland where biomass in non-grazed plots doubled. A model parameterized using results from a BTF study forecasts substantial declines in all snowbeds and increases in shrub tundra on Niwot Ridge, Colorado over the next century. In general, results support and provide improved capacities for validating experimental manipulation, remote sensing, and modeling studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terry V. Callaghan
- Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Lilla Frescativägen 4 A, 114 18 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN UK
| | - Craig E. Tweedie
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at El Paso, 500 West University Ave, El Paso, TX 79968-0519 USA
| | - Jonas Åkerman
- Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, PO Box 50005, 104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Johan Bergstedt
- IFM—Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Malcolm G. Butler
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58108 USA
| | - Torben R. Christensen
- Department of Earth and Ecosystem Sciences, Division of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Analyses, Lund University, Sölvegatan 12, 223 62 Lund, Sweden
| | - Dorothy Cooley
- Department of Environment, Yukon Territorial Government, Dawson City, YT Canada
| | | | - Ryan K. Danby
- Department of Geography and School of Environmental Studies, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6 Canada
| | - Fred J. A. Daniёls
- Institute of Biology and Biotechnology of Plants, Hindenburgplatz 55, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Johannes G. de Molenaar
- Gruttostraat 24, 4021EX Maurik,
The Netherlands
- Alterra, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Dick
- Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Penicuik, EH26 0QB UK
| | | | - Diane Ebert-May
- Department of Plant Biology, Michigan State University, 166 Plant Biology Building, East Lansing, MI 48824-1312 USA
| | | | | | - Henrik Hedenås
- Abisko Scientific Research Station, 981 07 Abisko, Sweden
| | - Greg. H. R. Henry
- Department of Geography, University of British Columbia, 1984 West Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2 Canada
| | - David S. Hik
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E9 Canada
| | - John E. Hobbie
- The Ecosystems Center, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA 02543 USA
| | - Elin J. Jantze
- Department of Physical Geography and Quaternary Geology, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius väg 8, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Cecilia Johansson
- Department of Earth Sciences, Uppsala University, Villavägen 16, 752 36 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Margareta Johansson
- Department of Earth and Ecosystem Sciences, Lund University, Sölvegatan 12, 223 62 Lund, Sweden
| | - David R. Johnson
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at El Paso, 500 West University Ave, El Paso, TX 79968-0519 USA
| | - Jill F. Johnstone
- Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK Canada
| | | | - Catherine Kennedy
- Department of Environment, Yukon Territorial Government, Whitehorse, YT Canada
| | - Alice J. Kenney
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Frida Keuper
- Department of Systems Ecology, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Saewan Koh
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E9 Canada
| | - Charles J. Krebs
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Hugues Lantuit
- Alfred Wegener Institute, Telegrafenberg A45, 14473 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Mark J. Lara
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at El Paso, 500 West University Ave, El Paso, TX 79968-0519 USA
| | - David Lin
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at El Paso, 500 West University Ave, El Paso, TX 79968-0519 USA
| | - Vanessa L. Lougheed
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at El Paso, 500 West University Ave, El Paso, TX 79968-0519 USA
| | - Jesper Madsen
- Department of Arctic Environment, National Environmental Research Institute, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Nadya Matveyeva
- Department of Vegetation of the Far North, Komarov Botanical Institute, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Daniel C. McEwen
- Department of Biosciences, Minnesota State University Moorhead, Moorhead, MN 56563 USA
| | - Isla H. Myers-Smith
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E9 Canada
| | - Yuriy K. Narozhniy
- Research Laboratory of Glacioclimatology, Tomsk State University, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Håkan Olsson
- Forest Resource Management, Swedish university of Agricultural Sciences, 901 83 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Veijo A. Pohjola
- Department of Earth Sciences, Uppsala University, Villavägen 16, 752 36 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Larry W. Price
- Department of Geography, Portland State University, Portland, OR USA
| | - Frank Rigét
- Department of Biosciences, Minnesota State University Moorhead, Moorhead, MN 56563 USA
| | | | | | - Mikkel Tamstorf
- Department of Biosciences, Minnesota State University Moorhead, Moorhead, MN 56563 USA
| | - Rik Van Bogaert
- Flanders Research Foundation, Egmontstraat 5, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sandra Villarreal
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at El Paso, 500 West University Ave, El Paso, TX 79968-0519 USA
| | - Patrick J. Webber
- Department of Plant Biology, Michigan State University, 166 Plant Biology Building, East Lansing, MI 48824-1312 USA
- P.O. Box 1380, Ranchos de Taos, NM 87557 USA
| | - Valeriy A. Zemtsov
- Hydrology Department, Faculty of Geology and Geography, Tomsk State University, 36 Lenin Avenue, Tomsk, Russia 634050
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