Possible climate change over Northern Eurasia

Conference Proceedings Paper
Possible climate change over Northern Eurasia
Monier, E., A.P. Sokolov, C.A. Schlosser, X. Gao and J. Scott (2013)
Conference Proceedings, American Meteorological Society 25th Conference on Climate Variability and Change (Austin, TX, January 5–10)

Abstract/Summary:

In this study, we investigate possible climate change over Northern Eurasia and its impact on extreme events and permafrost degradation. Northern Eurasia is a major player in the global carbon budget because of boreal forests and peatlands. Circumpolar boreal forests alone contain more than five times the amount of carbon of temperate forests and almost double the amount of carbon of the world's tropical forests. Furthermore, severe permafrost degradation associated with climate change could result in peatlands releasing large amounts of carbon dioxide and methane. Meanwhile, changes in the frequency and magnitude of extreme events, such as extreme precipitation, heat waves or frost days are likely to have substantial impacts on Northern Eurasia ecosystems. For this reason, it is very important to quantify the possible climate change over Northern Eurasia under different emissions scenarios, while accounting for the uncertainty in the climate response and changes in extreme events.

Citation:

Monier, E., A.P. Sokolov, C.A. Schlosser, X. Gao and J. Scott (2013): Possible climate change over Northern Eurasia. Conference Proceedings, American Meteorological Society 25th Conference on Climate Variability and Change (Austin, TX, January 5–10) (https://ams.confex.com/ams/93Annual/webprogram/Paper222305.html)
  • Conference Proceedings Paper
Possible climate change over Northern Eurasia

Monier, E., A.P. Sokolov, C.A. Schlosser, X. Gao and J. Scott

American Meteorological Society 25th Conference on Climate Variability and Change (Austin, TX, January 5–10)

Abstract/Summary: 

In this study, we investigate possible climate change over Northern Eurasia and its impact on extreme events and permafrost degradation. Northern Eurasia is a major player in the global carbon budget because of boreal forests and peatlands. Circumpolar boreal forests alone contain more than five times the amount of carbon of temperate forests and almost double the amount of carbon of the world's tropical forests. Furthermore, severe permafrost degradation associated with climate change could result in peatlands releasing large amounts of carbon dioxide and methane. Meanwhile, changes in the frequency and magnitude of extreme events, such as extreme precipitation, heat waves or frost days are likely to have substantial impacts on Northern Eurasia ecosystems. For this reason, it is very important to quantify the possible climate change over Northern Eurasia under different emissions scenarios, while accounting for the uncertainty in the climate response and changes in extreme events.