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MJK

Marcin Jackowicz-Korczynski

Research engineer

MJK

Rapid responses of permafrost and vegetation to experimentally increased snow cover in sub-arctic Sweden

Author

  • Margareta Johansson
  • Terry V. Callaghan
  • Julia Bosiö
  • Jonas Åkerman
  • Marcin Jackowicz-Korczynski
  • Torben Christensen

Summary, in English

Increased snow depth already observed, and that predicted for the future are of critical importance to many geophysical and biological processes as well as human activities. The future characteristics of sub-arctic landscapes where permafrost is particularly vulnerable will depend on complex interactions between snow cover, vegetation and permafrost. An experimental manipulation was, therefore, set up on a lowland peat plateau with permafrost, in northernmost Sweden, to simulate projected future increases in winter precipitation and to study their effects on permafrost and vegetation. After seven years of treatment, statistically significant differences between manipulated and control plots were found in mean winter ground temperatures, which were 1.5 degrees C higher in manipulated plots. During the winter, a difference in minimum temperatures of up to 9 degrees C higher could be found in individual manipulated plots compared with control plots. Active layer thicknesses increased at the manipulated plots by almost 20% compared with the control plots and a mean surface subsidence of 24 cm was recorded in the manipulated plots compared to 5 cm in the control plots. The graminoid Eriophorum vaginatum has expanded in the manipulated plots and the vegetation remained green longer in the season.

Department/s

  • Dept of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science
  • BECC: Biodiversity and Ecosystem services in a Changing Climate

Publishing year

2013

Language

English

Publication/Series

Environmental Research Letters

Volume

8

Issue

3

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

IOP Publishing

Topic

  • Physical Geography

Keywords

  • snow manipulation
  • sub-arctic permafrost
  • active layer thickness
  • vegetation changes

Status

Published

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 1748-9326