Highlighting the role of biota in feedback loops from tundra ecosystems to the atmosphere

TY - JOUR

T1 - Highlighting the role of biota in feedback loops from tundra ecosystems to the atmosphere

AU - Schmidt, Niels M.

AU - Barrio, Isabel C.

AU - Kristensen, Jeppe A.

AU - López-Blanco, Efrén

AU - van Beest, Floris M.

PY - 2024

Y1 - 2024

N2 - The rapid climatic and environmental changes observed in the Arctic and across the globe in general call for reliable model projections. In recent years our understanding of ongoing and future changes through ecosystem modelling has increased tremendously. Yet, most ecosystem models do not consider many of the feedback loops at play in natural ecosystems. Particularly those influenced by biota, beyond vegetation and to some extent microbes, are often neglected. As a first step towards a better integration of biotic influences into ecosystem models, we provide a broad overview of the various ways biota may influence feedback loops between the high-latitude biosphere and the atmosphere. We focus specifically on three key feedback loops between tundra and atmosphere (carbon dynamics, albedo and permafrost thaw) and the influences of three key ecosystem compartments (vegetation, decomposers and herbivores) on these. The influences of biota on ecosystem feedback loops are multifaceted and may appear patchy in both space and time. However, biota may still play important roles in modulating ecosystem feedback loops, and by including these dynamics into ecosystem models, magnitude, accuracy and credibility of model projections are likely to improve.

AB - The rapid climatic and environmental changes observed in the Arctic and across the globe in general call for reliable model projections. In recent years our understanding of ongoing and future changes through ecosystem modelling has increased tremendously. Yet, most ecosystem models do not consider many of the feedback loops at play in natural ecosystems. Particularly those influenced by biota, beyond vegetation and to some extent microbes, are often neglected. As a first step towards a better integration of biotic influences into ecosystem models, we provide a broad overview of the various ways biota may influence feedback loops between the high-latitude biosphere and the atmosphere. We focus specifically on three key feedback loops between tundra and atmosphere (carbon dynamics, albedo and permafrost thaw) and the influences of three key ecosystem compartments (vegetation, decomposers and herbivores) on these. The influences of biota on ecosystem feedback loops are multifaceted and may appear patchy in both space and time. However, biota may still play important roles in modulating ecosystem feedback loops, and by including these dynamics into ecosystem models, magnitude, accuracy and credibility of model projections are likely to improve.

KW - albedo

KW - arctic

KW - biotic interactions

KW - carbon dynamics

KW - decomposers

KW - herbivores

KW - permafrost

KW - vegetation

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85213981256

U2 - 10.3389/fenvs.2024.1491604

DO - 10.3389/fenvs.2024.1491604

M3 - Journal article

SN - 2296-665X

VL - 12

JO - Frontiers in Environmental Science

JF - Frontiers in Environmental Science

M1 - 1491604

ER -