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Multiple Effects of Changes in Arctic Snow Cover

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Author

  • Terry V. Callaghan
  • Margareta Johansson
  • Ross D. Brown
  • Pavel Ya Groisman
  • Niklas Labba
  • Vladimir Radionov
  • Raymond S. Bradley
  • Sylvie Blangy
  • Olga N. Bulygina
  • Torben Christensen
  • Jonathan E. Colman
  • Richard L. H. Essery
  • Bruce C. Forbes
  • Mads C. Forchhammer
  • Vladimir N. Golubev
  • Richard E. Honrath
  • Glenn P. Juday
  • Anna V. Meshcherskaya
  • Gareth K. Phoenix
  • John Pomeroy
  • Arja Rautio
  • David A. Robinson
  • Niels M. Schmidt
  • Mark C. Serreze
  • Vladimir P. Shevchenko
  • Alexander I. Shiklomanov
  • Andrey B. Shmakin
  • Peter Skold
  • Matthew Sturm
  • Ming-ko Woo
  • Eric F. Wood
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Summary, in English

Snow cover plays a major role in the climate, hydrological and ecological systems of the Arctic and other regions through its influence on the surface energy balance (e.g. reflectivity), water balance (e.g. water storage and release), thermal regimes (e.g. insulation), vegetation and trace gas fluxes. Feedbacks to the climate system have global consequences. The livelihoods and well-being of Arctic residents and many services for the wider population depend on snow conditions so changes have important consequences. Already, changing snow conditions, particularly reduced summer soil moisture, winter thaw events and rain-on-snow conditions have negatively affected commercial forestry, reindeer herding, some wild animal populations and vegetation. Reductions in snow cover are also adversely impacting indigenous peoples' access to traditional foods with negative impacts on human health and well-being. However, there are likely to be some benefits from a changing Arctic snow regime such as more even run-off from melting snow that favours hydropower operations.

Publishing year

2011

Language

English

Pages

32-45

Publication/Series

Ambio: a Journal of Human Environment

Volume

40

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

Springer

Topic

  • Physical Geography

Keywords

  • Climate
  • Snow
  • Arctic
  • Hydrology
  • Ecology
  • Albedo
  • Geochemical processes
  • cycling
  • Biogeochemical
  • Infrastructure
  • Tourism
  • Forestry
  • Human health
  • Indigenous cultures

Status

Published

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 0044-7447