Margareta Johansson
Researcher
Multiple Effects of Changes in Arctic Snow Cover
Author
Summary, in English
Snow cover plays a major role in the climate, hydrological and ecological systems of the Arctic and other regions through its influence on the surface energy balance (e.g. reflectivity), water balance (e.g. water storage and release), thermal regimes (e.g. insulation), vegetation and trace gas fluxes. Feedbacks to the climate system have global consequences. The livelihoods and well-being of Arctic residents and many services for the wider population depend on snow conditions so changes have important consequences. Already, changing snow conditions, particularly reduced summer soil moisture, winter thaw events and rain-on-snow conditions have negatively affected commercial forestry, reindeer herding, some wild animal populations and vegetation. Reductions in snow cover are also adversely impacting indigenous peoples' access to traditional foods with negative impacts on human health and well-being. However, there are likely to be some benefits from a changing Arctic snow regime such as more even run-off from melting snow that favours hydropower operations.
Department/s
- Dept of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science
Publishing year
2011
Language
English
Pages
32-45
Publication/Series
Ambio: a Journal of Human Environment
Volume
40
Document type
Journal article
Publisher
Springer
Topic
- Physical Geography
Keywords
- Climate
- Snow
- Arctic
- Hydrology
- Ecology
- Albedo
- Geochemical processes
- cycling
- Biogeochemical
- Infrastructure
- Tourism
- Forestry
- Human health
- Indigenous cultures
Status
Published
ISBN/ISSN/Other
- ISSN: 0044-7447