Active layer thermal regime varies across landforms in a subarctic wetland
The fine-scale controls of active layer dynamics remain poorly understood, particularly at the southern boundary of continuous permafrost. We examined how environmental conditions associated with upland tundra heath, open graminoid fen, and palsa/peat plateau landforms affected active layer thermal...
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| Language: | English |
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Canadian Science Publishing
2025-01-01
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| Series: | FACETS |
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| Online Access: | https://facetsjournal.com/doi/10.1139/facets-2024-0250 |
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| author | Gillian Muir Glen S. Brown Kapillesh Balasubramaniam Baoxin Hu |
| author_facet | Gillian Muir Glen S. Brown Kapillesh Balasubramaniam Baoxin Hu |
| author_sort | Gillian Muir |
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| description | The fine-scale controls of active layer dynamics remain poorly understood, particularly at the southern boundary of continuous permafrost. We examined how environmental conditions associated with upland tundra heath, open graminoid fen, and palsa/peat plateau landforms affected active layer thermal regime (timing, magnitude, and rate of thaw) in a subarctic peatland in the Hudson Bay Lowlands, Canada. A significant increase in active layer thaw depth was evident between 2012 and 2024. Within-season thaw patterns differed among landforms, with tundra heath exhibiting the highest thaw rates and soil temperatures, succeeded by fen and palsa. Air temperature mediated by soil properties, topography, and vegetation affected thaw patterns. The increased thermal conductivity of gravel/sandy tundra heath soils exerted a more pronounced influence on thaw patterns relative to fens and palsas, both of which had a thicker organic layer. Near-surface soil moisture was the lowest in tundra, followed by palsas, and fens. Increased soil moisture impeded active layer thaw, likely due to a combination of soil surface evaporation and meltwater percolation. These findings elucidate the relationship between the biophysical properties of landform features and climate, revealing their role in influencing active layer thaw patterns in a subarctic ecosystem. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ca99e82f7f1a4ad69d73e700fc9a8f7d |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2371-1671 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Canadian Science Publishing |
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| series | FACETS |
| spelling | doaj-art-ca99e82f7f1a4ad69d73e700fc9a8f7d2025-08-20T01:51:48ZengCanadian Science PublishingFACETS2371-16712025-01-011011410.1139/facets-2024-0250Active layer thermal regime varies across landforms in a subarctic wetlandGillian Muir0Glen S. Brown1Kapillesh Balasubramaniam2Baoxin Hu3Environmental and Life Sciences Program, Trent University, Peterborough, ON, CanadaEnvironmental and Life Sciences Program, Trent University, Peterborough, ON, CanadaWildlife Research & Monitoring Section, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Peterborough, ON, CanadaDepartment of Earth and Space Science and Engineering, York University, Toronto, ON, CanadaThe fine-scale controls of active layer dynamics remain poorly understood, particularly at the southern boundary of continuous permafrost. We examined how environmental conditions associated with upland tundra heath, open graminoid fen, and palsa/peat plateau landforms affected active layer thermal regime (timing, magnitude, and rate of thaw) in a subarctic peatland in the Hudson Bay Lowlands, Canada. A significant increase in active layer thaw depth was evident between 2012 and 2024. Within-season thaw patterns differed among landforms, with tundra heath exhibiting the highest thaw rates and soil temperatures, succeeded by fen and palsa. Air temperature mediated by soil properties, topography, and vegetation affected thaw patterns. The increased thermal conductivity of gravel/sandy tundra heath soils exerted a more pronounced influence on thaw patterns relative to fens and palsas, both of which had a thicker organic layer. Near-surface soil moisture was the lowest in tundra, followed by palsas, and fens. Increased soil moisture impeded active layer thaw, likely due to a combination of soil surface evaporation and meltwater percolation. These findings elucidate the relationship between the biophysical properties of landform features and climate, revealing their role in influencing active layer thaw patterns in a subarctic ecosystem.https://facetsjournal.com/doi/10.1139/facets-2024-0250permafrostsubarcticHudson Bay Lowlandsclimate changesoil thermal regime |
| spellingShingle | Gillian Muir Glen S. Brown Kapillesh Balasubramaniam Baoxin Hu Active layer thermal regime varies across landforms in a subarctic wetland FACETS permafrost subarctic Hudson Bay Lowlands climate change soil thermal regime |
| title | Active layer thermal regime varies across landforms in a subarctic wetland |
| title_full | Active layer thermal regime varies across landforms in a subarctic wetland |
| title_fullStr | Active layer thermal regime varies across landforms in a subarctic wetland |
| title_full_unstemmed | Active layer thermal regime varies across landforms in a subarctic wetland |
| title_short | Active layer thermal regime varies across landforms in a subarctic wetland |
| title_sort | active layer thermal regime varies across landforms in a subarctic wetland |
| topic | permafrost subarctic Hudson Bay Lowlands climate change soil thermal regime |
| url | https://facetsjournal.com/doi/10.1139/facets-2024-0250 |
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