Carbon balance of the continuous permafrost zone of Russia
An increase in the atmospheric concentration of CO2 is projected to cause climate warming. Warming of the permafrost environment could change the balance between carbon accumulation and decomposition processes and substantially disrupt the equilibrium of the carbon cycle. Warming may accelerate the rate of decomposition, which is limited by low temperatures, and thaw deeper layers of formerly frozen organic soils making them available for decomposition. At the same time, productivity of vegetation may increase in response to warming. The continuous permafrost zone occupies approximately 40% of the Russian territory, and 5% of the land surface area of the world. Disruption of the carbon cycle within the permafrost zone in Russia could have a profound effect on the global terrestrial carbon cycle. To evaluate changes in the carbon cycle within the permafrost environment of Russia, it is necessary to quantify the present carbon pools and fluxes. Once the carbon balance is established under the present climate, disruptions under a warming climate can be identified. A framework to assess the carbon balance for the continuous permafrost zone of Russia was created. (Copyright (c) Inter-Research 1993.)
- Research Organization:
- Oregon State Univ., Corvallis, OR (United States). Dept. of Civil Engineering
- OSTI ID:
- 5049896
- Report Number(s):
- PB-94-146347/XAB
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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