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Importance of a soil organic layer for Arctic climate: A sensitivity study with an Arctic RCM
Author(s) -
Rinke Annette,
Kuhry Peter,
Dethloff Klaus
Publication year - 2008
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 - 10.1029/2008gl034052
Subject(s) - environmental science , climatology , arctic , climate model , atmosphere (unit) , atmospheric sciences , climate change , mixed layer , the arctic , geology , meteorology , oceanography , geography
We incorporate a top soil organic layer in the land‐surface scheme of the regional climate model HIRHAM and discuss its implications for Arctic climate simulations. This inclusion modifies not only the ground thermal and hydrological regimes, but also dynamically feeds back into the atmosphere. The top organic layer reduces ground temperatures by 0.5°C to 8°C. Increased summer ground evaporation causes a significant drop in 2m air temperatures. Furthermore, the dynamical response due to heat flux changes affects the large‐scale atmospheric circulation. In winter, the mean sea level pressure is reduced over the Barents‐ and Kara Seas which is an improvement compared to observations.