Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 12.1
A comparison of geomorphology and soils of high-elevation and high-latitude
environments
Parameter
Alpine
References
Polar
References
Area (10
6
km
2
)
3.3
This study
22.8
Tarnocai et al.
(
2009
)
SOC density (kg/m
2
to 1 m)
6.7-45
This study
32-70
Tarnocai et al.
(
2009
)
SOC storage (Pg to
1 m)
55
This study
496
Tarnocai et al.
2009
Patterned ground and/
or cryoturbation (%)
5-19
Johnson and
Billings (
1962
)
and Feuillet
(
2011
)
10-57
Bockheim et al.
(
1998
) and Tarnocai
et al. (
2009
)
Active-layer depth (m)
2.0-8.0
This study
0.3-2.0
Mazhitova et al.
(
2004
) and Tarnocai
et al. (
2004
)
Air temperature
warming (°C/decade)
0.5-0.55
(Altai)
Fukui et al.
(
2007
)
0.6
(arctic-
wide)
CRUTEM 3v
0.8 (QTP)
Li et al. (
2012
)
0.7 (W. Ant.
Pen.)
Turner et al. (
2009
)
1.0 (Front
Range, CO)
Leopold et al.
(
2010
)
0.06-0.3
(Tien Shan)
Marchenko et al.
(
2007
)
0.6 (Altai)
Sharkhuu (
2003
)
TTOP warming (°C/
decade)
0.1-0.2
(Tien Shan)
Marchenko et al.
(
2007
)
0.3-0.7
(N. Ak)
Osterkamp (
2007
)
0.1-0.4
(QTP)
Li et al. (
2012
)
1.0 (NVL,
Ant.)
Guglielmin and
Cannone (
2011
)
0.4-0.7
(Svalbard)
Isaksen et al.
(
2007
)
Active-layer depth
(cm/year)
1.3 (QTP)
Li et al. (
2012
)
0 (NE
Greenland)
Christiansen (
2004
)
0 (Eur.
Russia)
Mazhitova et al.
(
2004
)
0 (Arctic
Canada)
Tarnocai et al.
(
2004
)
1.4
(Sweden)
Christiansen et al.
(
2010
)
12.3
Permafrost Temperatures
A critical measurement for showing any change in permafrost due to climate warm-
ing is the Mean Annual Ground Temperature (MAGT), usually taken at 10 m, or the
Temperature at the Top of Permafrost (TTOP). From boreholes that are part of the
