Climate Change Impact on India and World – International Reports, Key Observations, etc.

Arctic Tundra is emitting more Carbon than it absorbs: NOAA

Prelims Only | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia
Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Arctic Tundra

Why in the News?

  • The Arctic Tundra, a frozen treeless biome, has traditionally served as a carbon sink, storing vast amounts of carbon for thousands of years.
    • However, recent changes in this ecosystem are turning it into a source of greenhouse gases (GHGs), primarily carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

What is Arctic Tundra?

  • Arctic Tundra is cold, treeless biome located in the northernmost regions of Earth, primarily within the Arctic Circle.
  • Climate:
    • Experiences long, harsh winters and short, cool summers.
    • Temperatures range from -28°C in winter to 3°C in summer.
    • Ground is permanently frozen, restricting plant root growth and shaping the ecosystem.
    • Experiences 24-hour daylight in summer and long polar nights in winter.
  • Biodiversity and Vegetation:
    • Limited to low-growing vegetation like mosses, lichens, grasses, and small shrubs, adapted to short growing seasons.
    • Hosts animals like Arctic foxes, polar bears, caribou, and migratory birds, though overall biodiversity is low.
  • Adaptations:
    • Animals: Thick fur and fat layers in species like polar bears to survive extreme cold.
    • Plants: Shallow roots for quick nutrient absorption during short summers.

How does the Arctic Tundra store Carbon?

  • The Arctic tundra stores carbon primarily through a process where plants absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere via photosynthesis.
    • This carbon gets trapped in the soil and organic matter (plants and animals) that accumulate over time.
  • The cold Arctic climate slows the decomposition of plant and animal remains, meaning that organic materials, including carbon, remain locked in the permafrost.
    • This permafrost acts as a natural storage system, preventing CO2 from being released back into the atmosphere.
  • Scientists estimate that the Arctic tundra holds about 1.6 trillion metric tonnes of carbon, which is roughly double the amount of carbon in the Earth’s atmosphere.

Why is the Arctic Tundra emitting more carbon than absorbing it?

  • Rising temperatures in the Arctic are causing the permafrost to thaw at an accelerated rate.
    • When permafrost thaws, microbes in the soil become active, breaking down the organic material trapped in the frozen ground, which results in the release of carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4), two potent greenhouse gases.
    • The Arctic has been warming at a rate four times faster than the global average.
    • 2024 was the second-warmest year on record for the region, contributing significantly to the thawing of the permafrost.
  • Wildfires in the Arctic have become more frequent and intense, further accelerating the thawing of permafrost. Wildfire smoke also contributes to the release of greenhouse gases.
  • Between 2001 and 2020, the combination of rising temperatures and increased wildfires led to the Arctic tundra releasing more carbon than it absorbed, marking a significant shift in its role from a carbon sink to a carbon emitter.

PYQ:

[2012] Climate is extreme, rainfall is scanty and the people used to be nomadic herders. The above statement best describes which of the following regions?

(a) African Savanna

(b) Central Asian Steppe

(c) North American Prairie

(d) Siberian Tundra

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