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Title: The impact of permafrost thaw on ecosystem carbon balance: Eight Mile Lake soil carbon and nitrogen.
Contacts: Schuur, Edward
Hicks, Caitlin
Abstract: In this larger study, we are asking the question: Is old carbon that comprises the bulk of the soil organic matter pool released in response to thawing of permafrost? We are answering this question by using a combination of field and laboratory experiments to measure radiocarbon isotope ratios in soil organic matter, soil respiration, and dissolved organic carbon, in tundra ecosystems. The objective of these proposed measurements is to develop a mechanistic understanding of the SOM sources contributing to C losses following permafrost thawing. We are making these measurements at an established tundra field site near Healy, Alaska in the foothills of the Alaska Range. Field measurements center on a natural experiment where permafrost has been observed to warm and thaw over the past several decades. This area represents a gradient of sites each with a different degree of change due to permafrost thawing. As such, this area is unique for addressing questions at the time and spatial scales relevant for change in arctic ecosystems. In this data set, thaw gradient site soil carbon and nitrogen inventories are reported by depth layer for both organic and mineral horizons. The inventories include % Carbon, % Nitrogen, bulk density, gC/m2, gN/m2, 13C, and 14N.
Keywords: carbon balance,  permafrost, 
Categories: Biogeochemistry
Climate
Decomposition
Disturbance
GIS
Hydrology
Primary Production
Soils
Succession
Vegetation
Water Quality
Study Period: May 27, 2004 to Jun 1, 2004
Bounding Box: West longitude: 149.2535833°
North latitude:  63.87836111°
East longitude: 149.2535833°
South latitude: 63.87836111°
Site References: EML -- Tussock tundra at treeline with permafrost thaw and thermokarst
Data Columns:
Column Name Units Type
1 Site string
2 Core integer
3 Horizon string
4 Layer cm string
5 Depth cm integer
6 %N % float point
7 %C % float point
8 delta14N per mil float point
9 delta13C per mil float point
10 gN/m2 gN/m2 soil float point
11 gC/m2 gC/m2 soil float point
12 BulkDensity g dry soil/m3 soil float point
Data File(s): 366_Healy_Soil_C_and_N_inventory.txt
Supplemental Files:
Metadata Formats:

Basic Metadata
EML

Public Release: Mar 2, 2009
Publications:

Schuur, E.A.G., K.G. Crummer, J.G. Vogel, and M.C. Mack. 2007. Plant Species Composition and Productivity following Permafrost Thaw and Thermokarst in Alaskan Tundra. Ecosystems. DOI:10.1007/s10021-007-9024-0

Schuur, E.A.G., J.G. Vogel, K.G. Crummer, K. Dutta, H. Lee, C. Trucco, and J. Sickman. 2007. Using Radiocarbon to Detect Change in Ecosystem Carbon Cycling in Response to Permafrost Thawing. Physical Environment and Sciences. p36-38.

Schuur, E.A.G., J. Bockheim, J. Canadell, E. Euskirchen, C.B. Field, S.V Goryachkin, S. Hagemann, P. Kuhry, P. Lafleur, H. Lee, G. Mazhitova, F. E. Nelson, A. Rinke, V. Romanovsky, N. Shiklomanov, C. Tarnocai, S. Venevsky, J. G. Vogel, S.A. Zimov. 2008. Vulnerability of permafrost carbon to climate change: Implications for the global carbon cycle. BioScience 58(8): 701-714. doi:10.1641/B580807


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The Bonanza Creek LTER, including this website, is supported by the National Science Foundation through awards DEB-0620579, DEB-0423442, DEB-0080609, DEB-9810217, DEB-9211769, DEB-8702629 and by the USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station through agreement number RJVA-PNW-01-JV-11261952-231. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in the material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the supporting agencies or the program as a whole.

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Last modified 22-Nov-09
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