This, in turn, could fuel global warming even more. We found significant losses of carbon dioxide from the soil of the tundra, said Michael Jones, a post-doctoral researcher in evolution, ecology and organismal biology at Ohio State University. Anticipated global warming may increase this carbon loss. The study appears in a recent issue of the journal Arctic and Alpine Research. Researchers have found that arctic carbon loss from respiration of CO2 by plants and soil micro-organisms far surpasses the amount taken in by plants each growing season.
Carbon dioxide is a major player in global warming.
The arctic has the most rapidly changing climate of any region on earth, Jones said. He and his colleagues measured CO2 emissions from moist and dry tundra surrounding Toolik Lake, Alaska. Researchers believe carbon dioxide loss may be different in moist and dry tundra areas. They manipulated winter precipitation in each area by setting up a large snow fence on each tundra type. These fences provided increased snow accumulation and also helped simulate potential changes in environment and climate.