2b- Arctic tundra Flashcards
how much carbon is stored in the arctic tundra
1600 GT of carbon
how does temperature affect the water cycle in the tundra
the avg temperature is below freezing most of the year so water is stored as ice in permafrost. In the summer as some of the permafrost thaws more water is stored in lakes and puddles and liquid water flows on the surface.
In the winter the low temperature means low EVTP.
Permafrost means water cant infiltrate so there is poor drainage
how does relief affect the water cycle in the tundra
rock under the permafrost is gently undulating due to years of erosion and weathering. Minimal relief impedes drainage and contributes to water logging in the summer
how does rock porosity affect the water cycle in the tundra
permeability is low due to permafrost and crystalline rocks that dominate the geology of the tundra so very little water can infiltrate the ground
how does temperature affect the carbon cycle in the tundra
As the temperature rises the permafrost melts releasing CO2 into the atmosphere.
Low temperature leads to slow decomposition and respiration so less CO2 flows to the atmosphere
how does vegetation affect the carbon cycle in the tundra
A short growing season means less PS and small NPP
lack of liquid water and heat limits plant growth so there is a small biomass carbon store.
how does organic matter in the soil affect the carbon cycle in the tundra
low temperature and waterlogging slows decomposition and respiration of decomposers, less CO2 released into the atmosphere
how does mineral composition of rocks affect the carbon cycle in the tundra
the mineral composition has limited influence on the carbon cycle due to the impermeability of the permafrost
impact of developing oil and gas industry (trans Alaskan pipeline) and management strategies
has to be heated to keep oil liquid which melts the permafrost releasing CO2 and CH4
put on refrigerated supports to stabilise the temperature of the permafrost, allows air to circulate under the pipeline
impact of developing oil and gas industry (BP drilling platform) and management strategies
Oil and gas installations can melt permafrost, releases CO2 and CH4, and cause flooding. In the north slope, 40 million tonnes of CO2 are released yearly.
Drilling platforms can be constructed on gravel pads which decrease melting. New drilling techniques allow oil and gas to be accessed further away so there are fewer sites needed so there is less impact on vegetation and permafrost due to construction of roads, pipework and facilities
impact of developing oil and gas industry (houses) and management strategies
Houses in Burrow are heated and melt the permafrost releasing CO2 and CH4
Houses can be elevated on stilts which lets cold air circulate under them and reduce melting
impact of developing oil and gas industry (gravel strip mines) and management strategies
construct concrete and roads which disrupts drainage by altering the natural course of rivers. To get gravel top layer of vegetation is removed which decreases NPP, slows growth and exposed permafrost melts releasing CO2 and CH4
new technology allows drilling to go further so less impact as fewer sites are needed so there is less disruption to the cycles
season changes in the water cycle in the arctic tundra
in the summer the temperature increases so water melts creating pools on the surface of the permafrost.
In the winter the low temperatures mean no EVTP, and water cant infiltrate the soil due to permafrost so there is less vegetation
seasonal changes in the carbon cycle in the arctic tundra
in the summer the temperatures since plants can grow due to the long hours of sunlight so PS occurs taking CO2 out of the atmosphere.
When the plants die they decompose and CO2 is released into the atmosphere but water logging in the summer slows this.
In the winter when there are little plants there is little PS so there is more CO2 stored in the atmosphere
When permafrost melts in the summer CO2 and CH4 is released into the atmosphere.
