Climate change impacts on the tundra

The impacts of climate change on tundra ecosystems are significant and complex. Warming of the air and soil, along with increased soil drying, accelerates carbon release from tundra ecosystems. This shift may turn tundra from a carbon sink into a carbon source, further exacerbating the effects of climate change.

Our researchers participated in an international team of 70 scientists who simulated the effects of warming on 28 tundra research sites around the world. The results, published in Nature, showed that warming and drying increased summertime ecosystem respiration by 30%. This rise in carbon release was driven by the accelerated activity of both soil microbes and vegetation. The changes persisted for at least 25 years after the warming experiments began.

The study revealed that the increase in carbon emissions due to warming is substantial—nearly four times higher than previous estimates. It also showed that the extent of increased respiration varied depending on soil conditions, such as nitrogen availability and pH levels. This indicates that carbon release differs geographically, with some tundra areas releasing more carbon than others.

Researchers emphasize that understanding how ecosystems respond to climate change—and how these changes affect our climate—is crucial. The study's findings provide an excellent foundation for improving climate models. Future research will refine the results by tracking how the experimental sites evolve over time and by expanding the experiment to include new locations.