Source: IE
Context: The Arctic tundra, once a carbon sink, is now emitting CO2 and methane (CH4) due to rising temperatures and wildfires, as noted in 2024 Arctic Report Card.
About Arctic Tundra:
- What is Tundra Vegetation?
- Tundra vegetation refers to the sparse plant life found in cold, treeless regions like the Arctic and Alpine tundra.
- It includes mosses, lichens, grasses, sedges, and small shrubs, all adapted to harsh conditions.
- Latitude Found: The Arctic tundra lies between 66.5°N to 75°N, stretching across regions in Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Scandinavia, and Russia.
- Features: Characterized by permafrost, low temperatures, short growing seasons, and limited vegetation like mosses, lichens, and small shrubs.
- Habitat: Home to species such as Arctic foxes, caribou, polar bears, and migratory birds, adapted to harsh climates.
- Significance:
- Carbon Storage: Stores more than 6 trillion metric tonnes of carbon in permafrost soils.
- Climate Regulation: Acts as a cooling agent for the planet by reflecting solar radiation with its ice-covered surfaces.
Arctic tundra is emitting more carbon because:
- Thawing Permafrost: Rising temperatures (warming four times the global rate) activate microbes, breaking down organic matter and releasing CO2 and CH4.
- Increased Wildfires: The frequency and intensity of wildfires have surged, emitting GHGs and accelerating permafrost thaw.
- Temperature Records: 2024 recorded the second-highest Arctic surface air temperatures since 1900, further exacerbating emissions.
- GHG Feedback Loop: Released GHGs from thawing permafrost amplify global warming, perpetuating a cycle of higher emissions.
Insta links:
