Arctic case studies

Question 1

Where is tha arctic located?

Answer 1

North Canada,Alaska and Siberia

Question 2

How big in km2 is the arctic tundra?

Answer 2

8 million km2

Question 3

Specific carbon cycle information

Answer 3

• Permafrost is a vast carbon sink which globally stores 1600GT
• Accumulation is low due to low temps - slows decomposition
• Carbon in the soils is 5x the amount of above-ground biomass
• Flux concentrated in the summer when active layer thaws
  4-29 tons/Ha

Question 4

seasonal in the carbon cycle

Answer 4

Summer → growing season input carbon to soil and release it into atmosphere

Winter → pockets of unfrozen water in the permafrost act as sources of co2

Question 5

how much does the permafrost hold of carbon?

Answer 5

Permafrost is a vast carbon sink which globally stores 1600GT

Question 6

specific water cycle information

Answer 6

• Low annual rainfall
• Small stores of moisture in atmosphere owing low temps low humidity
• Limited transpiration as less veg
  Low evaporation as temps remain low inhibit convection
• Melt of snow ice ^ groundwater flow
• Extensive wetlands in summer = temporary storage

Question 7

Climate - when is the negative heat balance

Answer 7

• 8-9 mths has a negative heat balance with monthly temp below freezing → ground permanently frozen

Question 8

climate variations

Answer 8

• Winter → for several weeks sun remains below horizon temps can reach -40*c
• Summer → long hours of sunlight provide compensation for concise growing season