Spatiotemporal variability in surface energy balance across tundra, snow and ice in Greenland

TY - JOUR

T1 - Spatiotemporal variability in surface energy balance across tundra, snow and ice in Greenland

AU - Lund, Magnus

AU - Stiegler, Christian

AU - Abermann, Jakob

AU - Citterio, Michele

AU - Hansen, Birger

AU - van As, Dirk

N1 - CENPERMOA[2017]

PY - 2017

Y1 - 2017

N2 - The surface energy balance (SEB) is essential for understanding the coupled cryosphere–atmosphere system in the Arctic. In this study, we investigate the spatiotemporal variability in SEB across tundra, snow and ice. During the snow-free period, the main energy sink for ice sites is surface melt. For tundra, energy is used for sensible and latent heat flux and soil heat flux leading to permafrost thaw. Longer snow-free period increases melting of the Greenland Ice Sheet and glaciers and may promote tundra permafrost thaw. During winter, clouds have a warming effect across surface types whereas during summer clouds have a cooling effect over tundra and a warming effect over ice, reflecting the spatial variation in albedo. The complex interactions between factors affecting SEB across surface types remain a challenge for understanding current and future conditions. Extended monitoring activities coupled with modelling efforts are essential for assessing the impact of warming in the Arctic.

AB - The surface energy balance (SEB) is essential for understanding the coupled cryosphere–atmosphere system in the Arctic. In this study, we investigate the spatiotemporal variability in SEB across tundra, snow and ice. During the snow-free period, the main energy sink for ice sites is surface melt. For tundra, energy is used for sensible and latent heat flux and soil heat flux leading to permafrost thaw. Longer snow-free period increases melting of the Greenland Ice Sheet and glaciers and may promote tundra permafrost thaw. During winter, clouds have a warming effect across surface types whereas during summer clouds have a cooling effect over tundra and a warming effect over ice, reflecting the spatial variation in albedo. The complex interactions between factors affecting SEB across surface types remain a challenge for understanding current and future conditions. Extended monitoring activities coupled with modelling efforts are essential for assessing the impact of warming in the Arctic.

KW - Glacier

KW - Ice sheet

KW - Permafrost

KW - Surface energy balance

KW - Tundra

U2 - 10.1007/s13280-016-0867-5

DO - 10.1007/s13280-016-0867-5

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 28116688

AN - SCOPUS:85010289441

SN - 0044-7447

VL - 46

SP - 81

EP - 93

JO - Ambio

JF - Ambio

IS - Suppl. 1

ER -