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Impacts of peat and vegetation on permafrost degradation under climate warming
Author(s) -
Yi Shuhua,
Woo Mingko,
Arain M. Altaf
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2007gl030550
Subject(s) - permafrost , peat , environmental science , climate change , vegetation (pathology) , global warming , climatology , climate model , land cover , physical geography , land use , geology , ecology , geography , oceanography , medicine , pathology , biology
Simulations of maximum annual thaw at a continuous and a discontinuous permafrost site in Canada were performed using Community Land Model version 3 (CLM3) and randomized historical climate records from these sites, superimposed with United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Report on Emission Scenarios (SRES) A2 scenario of climate change. A positive trend in permafrost degradation was simulated for the 2000 to 2100 period in response to climate warming. Surface cover condition and soil properties play a dominant role in affecting ground thaw. In particular, a thin peat layer or surface organic cover can significantly buffer the permafrost against severe degradation. The occurrence of vegetation and extensive presence of a peat and organic layer in the circumpolar areas will modulate the regional impact of climate warming on permafrost thaw.