COSEE Ocean Systems: News
How fires are changing the tundra's face
Description: As a result of climate change and increasing development in the tundra, permafrost thaws earlier and deeper and organic layers dry out faster. This biomass can then ignite easily. After a fire, the insulating effect of the then burnt organic material is missing and consequently the albedo changes, i. e. the proportion of light reflected from the ground. Darker soils heat up more, causing their surface to dry out and permafrost to thaw even more, releasing further flammable organic material and leaking stored methane into the atmosphere. [Source: ScienceDaily]
URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171212141839.htm
Availability: Full Text
Source: ScienceDaily
Publish Date: 12/12/2017
Reading Level: Basic
Page Length:  

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