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

该研究项目将重点关注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重要碳储存。永久冻土泥炭地含有约227 Pg的碳，相当于全球土壤碳储量的14%，由于冻土条件，这些碳已被有效地惰性化。然而，到21世纪末，全球平均表面温度估计将上升0.3至4.8度，预计北极地区的温度会更高，这使得这种碳储存容易因广泛的永久冻土融化而分解。由于温室气体（甲烷和二氧化碳）流入大气层的增加，这对全球变暖潜力产生了巨大影响;目前的气候模拟模型很少考虑到这一点。因此，必须彻底了解这种气候反馈系统。

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.