- Arctic warming is causing earlier snowmelt and longer growing seasons in Arctic tundra ecosystems
- It was previously believed that this would cause an increase in carbon sequestration in these regions - an increase in the amount of carbon captured and stored in Arctic vegetation, potentially slowing down global warming
- New research has found that earlier snowmelt actually causes a loss in net carbon sequestration later in the year
Earlier snowmelt and Arctic greening are affecting carbon sequestration later in the year in northern Arctic regions, according to a new study from a scientist at the University of Sheffield.
The new research has found that earlier snowmelt and a longer growing season, caused by climate change, are not causing a consistent increase in carbon sequestration as first thought.
It has long been assumed that this longer period of growth and plant productivity would lead to an increase in the summer carbon sequestration, the process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon.
The findings published in Scientific Reports, however, show that whilst there is an increase in carbon sequestration during June and July, it leads to a loss in net carbon sequestration later in the season around August time.
