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

21 Citations (Scopus)
68 Downloads (Pure)

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, Rn; 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 (βH/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 (Ds) was found to be an important variable controlling within-year surface energy partitioning. Throughout the study period, we observe increasing H/Rn and LE/Rn and decreasing G/Rn and β, 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.

Original languageEnglish
JournalTellus B: Chemical and Physical Meteorology
Volume66
ISSN0280-6509
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2014

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