Characteristics of summer-time energy exchange in a high Arctic tundra heath 2000–2010

Magnus Lund; Birger U. Hansen; Stine H. Pedersen; Christian Stiegler; Mikkel P. Tamstorf

doi:10.3402/tellusb.v66.21631

Characteristics of summer-time energy exchange in a high Arctic tundra heath 2000–2010

Tellus B: Chemical and Physical Meteorology

Volume 66 (2014): Issue 1

By: Magnus Lund, Birger U. Hansen, Stine H. Pedersen, Christian Stiegler and Mikkel P. Tamstorf

Open Access

|Jan 2014

Abstract

Global warming will bring about changes in surface energy balance of Arctic ecosystems, which will have implications for ecosystem structure and functioning, as well as for climate system feedback mechanisms. In this study, we present a unique, long-term (2000–2010) record of summer-time energy balance components (net radiation, R_n; sensible heat flux, H; latent heat flux, LE; and soil heat flux, G) from a high Arctic tundra heath in Zackenberg, Northeast Greenland. This area has been subjected to strong summer-time warming with increasing active layer depths (ALD) during the last decades. We observe high energy partitioning into H, low partitioning into LE and high Bowen ratio (β=H/LE) compared with other Arctic sites, associated with local climatic conditions dominated by onshore winds, slender vegetation with low transpiration activity and relatively dry soils. Surface saturation vapour pressure deficit (D _s) was found to be an important variable controlling within-year surface energy partitioning. Throughout the study period, we observe increasing H/R _n and LE/R _n and decreasing G/R _n andβ, related to increasing ALD and decreasing soil wetness. Thus, changes in summer-time surface energy balance partitioning in Arctic ecosystems may be of importance for the climate system.

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3402/tellusb.v66.21631 | Journal eISSN: 1600-0889

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Language: English

Page range: 21631 - 21631

Submitted on: Jun 6, 2013

Accepted on: Jun 10, 2014

Published on: Jan 1, 2014

Published by: Stockholm University Press

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Keywords:

Arctic,

© 2014 Magnus Lund, Birger U. Hansen, Stine H. Pedersen, Christian Stiegler, Mikkel P. Tamstorf, published by Stockholm University Press
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Volume 66 (2014): Issue 1