Acclimation of ecosystem CO2 exchange in the Alaskan Arctic in response to decadal climate warming

Walter C. Oechel (), George L. Vourlitis, Steven J. Hastings, Rommel C. Zulueta, Larry Hinzman and Douglas Kane
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Walter C. Oechel: Global Change Research Group, San Diego State University
George L. Vourlitis: Global Change Research Group, San Diego State University
Steven J. Hastings: Global Change Research Group, San Diego State University
Rommel C. Zulueta: Global Change Research Group, San Diego State University
Larry Hinzman: Institute of Water Resources, University of Alaska
Douglas Kane: Institute of Water Resources, University of Alaska

Nature, 2000, vol. 406, issue 6799, 978-981

Abstract: Abstract Long-term sequestration of carbon in Alaskan Arctic tundra ecosystems was reversed by warming and drying of the climate in the early 1980s, resulting in substantial losses of terrestrial carbon1,2. But recent measurements suggest that continued warming and drying has resulted in diminished CO2 efflux, and in some cases, summer CO2 sink activity3,4. Here we compile summer CO2 flux data for two Arctic ecosystems from 1960 to the end of 1998. The results show that a return to summer sink activity has come during the warmest and driest period observed over the past four decades, and indicates a previously undemonstrated capacity for ecosystems to metabolically adjust to long-term (decadal or longer) changes in climate. The mechanisms involved are likely to include changes in nutrient cycling, physiological acclimation, and population and community reorganization. Nevertheless, despite the observed acclimation, the Arctic ecosystems studied are still annual net sources of CO2 to the atmosphere of at least 40 g C m-2 yr-1, due to winter release of CO2, implying that further climate change may still exacerbate CO2 emissions from Arctic ecosystems.

Date: 2000
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DOI: 10.1038/35023137

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