Author: Erin Scott BrooksPublisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 446
Book Description
The Spatial and Temporal Variability of a Frozen Soil Layer in a Heterogeneous Landscape
Author: Erin Scott BrooksThe Spatial and Temporal Variability of Soil Water and a Frozen Soil Layer in a Heterogeneous Landscape
Author: E.S. BrooksSpatial and Temporal Variability of the Active-layer Thickness at Regional and Global Scales
Author: Dmitry A. StreletskiyPublisher:
ISBN: 9781124241401
Category : Alaska
Languages : en
Pages :
Book Description
This dissertation is focused on problems involving the spatial and temporal variability of climatic and permafrost parameters over a range of geographical scales, and the landscape-specific effects of this variability in a contemporary environmental setting. This work includes extensive spatially oriented field investigations conducted in northern Alaska and Siberia, analysis of spatial and temporal regularities in climatic and permafrost variables, and development of analytical techniques for their regional characterization. Complex analysis of data from observational sites provides both spatial and temporal insight to the evaluation of the active-layer variability and is used to establish relationships between climatic and environmental factors at the site-specific scale by examining spatial and temporal regularities in the ground thermal regime under representative generalized landcover types. Landscapes with similar environmental characteristics show similar active-layer variability. Regional landcover classifications, together with climatic datasets, are used as input to the model for extrapolating local findings over larger areas and to evaluate spatial and temporal variability at regional scales. Prior to regional assessments four commonly used climatic datasets used in modeling applications are compared to evaluate datasetspecific biases. Climate warming has occurred in most parts of the Arctic over the last several decades, resulting in an increase of permafrost temperature and thickening of the active layer. This has resulted in decreases of ground bearing capacity, which may not have been anticipated at the time of construction. A model was developed to estimate changes in bearing capacity under changing climatic conditions. Changes in bearing capacity for the last forty years were computed for large population and industrial centers representing different geographical conditions in the Russian Arctic. A GIS-based landscape approach was used to apply the model at a regional scale, depicting changes in permafrost temperature, active-layer thickness, and bearing capacity in North West Siberia and the North Slope of Alaska. The results of this research can be applied to improve current near-surface permafrost parameterizations used in GCMs and by the engineering community to account for climate change prior to construction of foundations on permafrost.
Climate Change Impacts on Snowpack Heterogeneity
Author: Adrienne M. MarshallPublisher:
ISBN:
Category : Climatic changes
Languages : en
Pages : 330
Book Description
Throughout the western United States, seasonal snowpack is critical for water resources timing and availability and ecosystem function. Warming temperatures associated with climate change reduce snow accumulation and advance melt timing, with serious consequences for snow-dependent social and ecological systems. While many impacts of climate change on snowpack are well established, this dissertation investigates several elements of changing snowpack that have not been previously assessed. In particular, each chapter contributes to an improved understanding of the changing heterogeneity of snow under climate change. The first chapter tests the sensitivity of snow drifting to altered climate, using a physically-based hydrologic model and thirty years of hydroclimatological data at a site where aspen stands are subsidized by a wind-driven snow drift. We find a warming-induced reduction in snow drifting, increase in ecohydrologic homogeneity across the landscape, and altered interannual variability of hydrologic metrics. The second chapter assesses changes in interannual variability of snowpack magnitude and timing across the western United States, using downscaled global climate model data as forcing to the Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC) model. We find that changes in interannual variability are spatially heterogeneous across the western U.S., but that interannual variability of annual maximum snow water equivalent (SWE[max]) decreases in regions transitioning from snow- to rain-dominated precipitation regimes. Changes in the date of SWE[max] are less spatially coherent, but agreement between general circulation models (GCMs) is most reliably found at relatively warm sites where the date of SWE[max] variability increases. The third chapter assesses another element of snow heterogeneity by testing the effect of snowfall intensity on winter ablation. Using a statistical modeling approach with observational snow data, we find that higher snowfall intensity is associated with reduced winter ablation; projected changes in snowfall intensity will likely exacerbate warming-induced increases in winter ablation in the maritime mountains of the western U.S. and mitigate it in the cooler continental regions. Finally, a fourth interdisciplinary, collaborative chapter synthesizes research on climate change in the mountainous headwaters of the Columbia River Basin. Findings show that research in this basin is focused on climate change impacts, rather than adaptation or mitigation, that social and biophysical sciences are not well integrated, and that research priorities differ across an international boundary. Cumulatively, this set of studies advances knowledge of how the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of snowpack will respond to climate change in the western United States, with implications for snow-dependent social and ecological systems.
Thawing Permafrost
Author: J. van HuisstedenPublisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 3030313794
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 508
Book Description
This book provides a cross-disciplinary overview of permafrost and the carbon cycle by providing an introduction into the geographical distribution of permafrost, with a focus on the distribution of permafrost and its soil carbon reservoirs. The chapters explain the basic physical properties and processes of permafrost soils: ice, mineral and organic components, and how these interact with climate, vegetation and geomorphological processes. In particular, the book covers the role of the large quantities of ice in many permafrost soils which are crucial to understanding carbon cycle processes. An explanation is given on how permafrost becomes loaded with ice and carbon. Gas hydrates are also introduced. Structures and processes formed by the intense freeze-thaw action in the active layer are considered (e.g. ice wedging, cryoturbation), and the processes that occur as the permafrost thaws, (pond and lake formation, erosion). The book introduces soil carbon accumulation and decomposition mechanisms and how these are modified in a permafrost environment. A separate chapter deals with deep permafrost carbon, gas reservoirs and recently discovered methane emission phenomena from regions such as Northwest Siberia and the Siberian yedoma permafrost.
Snow and Ice-Related Hazards, Risks, and Disasters
Author: Publisher: Academic Press
ISBN: 0123964733
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 787
Book Description
Snow and Ice-Related Hazards, Risks, and Disasters provides you with the latest scientific developments in glacier surges and melting, ice shelf collapses, paleo-climate reconstruction, sea level rise, climate change implications, causality, impacts, preparedness, and mitigation. It takes a geo-scientific approach to the topic while also covering current thinking about directly related social scientific issues that can adversely affect ecosystems and global economies. Puts the contributions from expert oceanographers, geologists, geophysicists, environmental scientists, and climatologists selected by a world-renowned editorial board in your hands Presents the latest research on causality, glacial surges, ice-shelf collapses, sea level rise, climate change implications, and more Numerous tables, maps, diagrams, illustrations and photographs of hazardous processes will be included Features new insights into the implications of climate change on increased melting, collapsing, flooding, methane emissions, and sea level rise
Comprehensive Remote Sensing
Author: Shunlin LiangPublisher: Elsevier
ISBN: 0128032219
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 3183
Book Description
Comprehensive Remote Sensing, Nine Volume Set covers all aspects of the topic, with each volume edited by well-known scientists and contributed to by frontier researchers. It is a comprehensive resource that will benefit both students and researchers who want to further their understanding in this discipline. The field of remote sensing has quadrupled in size in the past two decades, and increasingly draws in individuals working in a diverse set of disciplines ranging from geographers, oceanographers, and meteorologists, to physicists and computer scientists. Researchers from a variety of backgrounds are now accessing remote sensing data, creating an urgent need for a one-stop reference work that can comprehensively document the development of remote sensing, from the basic principles, modeling and practical algorithms, to various applications. Fully comprehensive coverage of this rapidly growing discipline, giving readers a detailed overview of all aspects of Remote Sensing principles and applications Contains ‘Layered content’, with each article beginning with the basics and then moving on to more complex concepts Ideal for advanced undergraduates and academic researchers Includes case studies that illustrate the practical application of remote sensing principles, further enhancing understanding
A Practical Guide to Geostatistical Mapping
Author: Tomislav HenglPublisher:
ISBN: 9789090249810
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 270
Book Description
Soil Carbon Dynamics
Author: Werner L. KutschPublisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1139483161
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 301
Book Description
Carbon stored in soils represents the largest terrestrial carbon pool and factors affecting this will be vital in the understanding of future atmospheric CO2 concentrations. This book provides an integrated view on measuring and modeling soil carbon dynamics. Based on a broad range of in-depth contributions by leading scientists it gives an overview of current research concepts, developments and outlooks and introduces cutting-edge methodologies, ranging from questions of appropriate measurement design to the potential application of stable isotopes and molecular tools. It includes a standardised soil CO2 efflux protocol, aimed at data consistency and inter-site comparability and thus underpins a regional and global understanding of soil carbon dynamics. This book provides an important reference work for students and scientists interested in many aspects of soil ecology and biogeochemical cycles, policy makers, carbon traders and others concerned with the global carbon cycle.
Vegetation and Production Ecology of an Alaskan Arctic Tundra
Author: Larry L. TieszenPublisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1461263077
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 686
Book Description
This volume on botanical research in tundra represents the culmination of four years of intensive and integrated field research centered at Barrow, Alaska. The volume summarizes the most significant results and interpretations of the pri mary producer projects conducted in the U.S. IBP Tundra Biome Program (1970-1974). Original data reports are available from the authors and can serve as detailed references for interested tundra researchers. Also, the results of most projects have been published in numerous papers in various journals. The introduction provides a brief overview of other ecosystem components. The main body presents the results in three general sections. The summary chapter is an attempt to integrate ideas and information from the previous papers as well as extant literature. In addition, this chapter focuses attention on pro cesses of primary production which should receive increased emphasis. Although this book will not answer all immediate questions, it hopefully will enhance future understanding of the tundra, particularly as we have studied it in Northern Alaska.