Sim, TG orcid.org/0000-0001-8604-9996, Swindles, GT orcid.org/0000-0001-8039-1790, Morris, PJ orcid.org/0000-0002-1145-1478 et al. (3 more authors) (2019) Pathways for Ecological Change in Canadian High Arctic Wetlands Under Rapid Twentieth Century Warming. Geophysical Research Letters, 46 (9). pp. 4726-4737. ISSN 0094-8276
Abstract
We use paleoecological techniques to investigate how Canadian High Arctic wetlands responded to a midtwentieth century increase in growing degree days. We observe an increase in wetness, moss diversity, and carbon accumulation in a polygon mire trough, likely related to ice wedge thaw. Contrastingly, the raised center of the polygon mire showed no clear response. Wet and dry indicator testate amoebae increased concomitantly in a valley fen, possibly relating to greater inundation from snowmelt followed by increasing evapotranspiration. This occurred alongside the appearance of generalist hummock mosses. A coastal fen underwent a shift from sedge to shrub dominance. The valley and coastal fens transitioned from minerogenic to organic‐rich wetlands prior to the growing degree days increase. A subsequent shift to moss dominance in the coastal fen may relate to intensive grazing from Arctic geese. Our findings highlight the complex response of Arctic wetlands to warming and have implications for understanding their future carbon sink potential.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2019. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved. Reproduced in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | Permafrost Peatlands; Climate Change; Growing Degree Days; Testate Amoebae; Shrubification; Arctic Geese Grazing |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Environment (Leeds) > School of Geography (Leeds) > River Basin Processes & Management (Leeds) The University of Leeds > Faculty of Environment (Leeds) > School of Geography (Leeds) > Ecology & Global Change (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 24 Apr 2019 13:25 |
Last Modified: | 11 Oct 2019 00:39 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | American Geophysical Union |
Identification Number: | 10.1029/2019GL082611 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:145267 |