Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Permafrost thawing is potentially a crucial but poorly investigated factor that influences vegetation dynamics in the Arctic. We studied permafrost thaw rate beyond the Polar Circle in Siberia and analyzed its influence on the larch (Larix spp.) growth and the Arctic vegetation (sparse larch forests, tundra, and forest-tundra communities) productivity (NPP and GPP). We checked the hypothesis: (1) satellite gravimetry is valid for permafrost melt analysis; (2) melt water runoff stimulated trees’ growth and vegetation NPP. We used dendrochronology, field studies, and satellite (GRACE, Terra/MODIS) data. We found a stable decreasing trend (r2 = 0.67) of the water content in the permafrost soils in the Siberian Arctic. Melt water runoff is about 7.7 ± 4.4 kg/m2/yr (with maximal values 9.7 ± 2.9 in West and Mid Siberian Arctic sectors and negative ones (-2.9 ± 3.2) in the Chukotka Peninsula sector). Permafrost meld led to an increase in vegetation productivity. We found that larch radial growth index (GI) and vegetation NPP correlated with melt water runoff (r = –0.7 and r = 0.55, respectively). The VPD (vapor pressure deficit), air and soil temperatures increase stimulated larch growth and vegetation NPP (r = 0.7…0.9 and r = 0.6, respectively). With warming, permafrost degradation leads to improving hydrothermal conditions for trees and vegetation growth and by that contributes to the preservation of the Arctic as a carbon sink territory despite the burning rate increase.
Source: Forests
DOI: 10.3390/f16010047
Language: English
Subfield: Atmospheric Science
Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDGs: Life on land, Climate action
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,955
Funder: Tomsk State University
OpenAlex ID: W4405938725