Climate change and the permafrost carbon feedback

Nature
By: , and 

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Abstract

Large quantities of organic carbon are stored in frozen soils (permafrost) within Arctic and sub-Arctic regions. A warming climate can induce environmental changes that accelerate the microbial breakdown of organic carbon and the release of the greenhouse gases carbon dioxide and methane. This feedback can accelerate climate change, but the magnitude and timing of greenhouse gas emission from these regions and their impact on climate change remain uncertain. Here we find that current evidence suggests a gradual and prolonged release of greenhouse gas emissions in a warming climate and present a research strategy with which to target poorly understood aspects of permafrost carbon dynamics.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Climate change and the permafrost carbon feedback
Series title Nature
DOI 10.1038/nature14338
Volume 520
Year Published 2015
Language English
Publisher Macmillan Journals Ltd.
Publisher location London
Contributing office(s) Coop Res Unit Seattle
Description 9 p.
Larger Work Type Article
Larger Work Subtype Journal Article
Larger Work Title Nature
First page 171
Last page 179
Other Geospatial Arctic and Sub-Arctic regions
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
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