Warming Climate May Cause Arctic Tundra To Burn

[RestoreGore]

Wildfires in the Arctic? Not so farfetched anymore.

http://www.enn.com/ecosystems/article/32288

Warming climate may cause arctic tundra to burn

Bozeman — Research from ancient sediment cores indicates that a warming climate could make the world’s arctic tundra far more susceptible to fires than previously thought. The findings, published this week in the online journal, PLoS ONE, are important given the potential for tundra fires to release organic carbon — which could add significantly to the amount of greenhouse gases already blamed for global warming.

Montana State University post-doctoral researcher Philip Higuera is the lead author on the paper, which summarizes a portion of a four-year study funded by the National Science Foundation.

Higuera and his co-authors examined ancient sediments from four lakes in a remote region of Alaska in and around Gates of the Arctic National Park to determine what kind of vegetation existed in the area after the last ice age, 14,000 to 9,000 years ago. By looking at fossilized pollen grains in the sediment cores, Higuera and his co-authors determined that after the last ice age, the arctic tundra was very different from what it is now. Instead of being covered with grasses, herbs, and short shrubs, it was covered with vast expanses of tall birch shrubs.

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[lapfog_1]

1. Yet one more thing in a long list of positive feedback loops.

tipping point indeed.

[saltpoint]

2. Excellent post. Recommended.

[autorank]

3. K*R Now that's part of THE issue of the campaign. If the candidatres won't mention it,

then w'ell have to do the job.

[RestoreGore]

4. We are burning a hole in the top of the world

And yes it is THE issue that unfortunately is being ignored in all the mudslinging noise.

[autorank]

5. Profound folly...it's criminal, imho.

The whole structure of the societies around the world will collapse when this gets going in a big way.

It's going to be very ugly if we don't get busy very soon.

[ramapo]

6. This is really something to look forward to....

Earth gone wild! :(