Arctic peatland response to climate change: carbon bomb or self-repair?

该研究项目将侧重于北极泥炭地动态的变化，特别是由于气候变化和相关的永久冻土融化而导致的大量碳储量的变化。永久冻土泥炭地含有大约227pg的碳，相当于全球土壤碳储量的14%，由于冻土条件，这些碳实际上已经变成惰性的。然而，据估计，到21世纪末，全球平均地表温度将上升0.3至4.8摄氏度，预计北极地区的升温幅度将更大，这使得这些碳储存很容易因大范围的永久冻土融化而被分解。这对全球变暖潜力有着巨大的影响，因为温室气体(甲烷和二氧化碳)进入大气的通量增加；目前的气候模拟模型很少考虑这一点。因此，对这种气候反馈系统有一个透彻的理解是至关重要的。

This research project will focus on changes in Arctic peatland dynamics, particularly regarding their significant carbon store, as a result of climate change and associated permafrost thaw. Permafrost peatlands contain approximately 227 Pg of carbon, equivalent to 14% of the global soil carbon store, which has been rendered effectively inert due to frozen soil conditions. However, with estimated increases in global mean surface temperatures of between 0.3 and 4.8 degrees by the end of the 21st century, which is predicted to be greater in Arctic regions, this leaves this carbon store vulnerable to repaid decomposition due to widespread permafrost thaw. This has huge implications for global warming potential as a result of increased greenhouse carbon gas fluxes (methane and carbon dioxide) to the atmosphere; which is rarely considered in current climate simulation models. Therefore, it is essential that a thorough understanding of this climate feedback system is understood.