| Title | Modeling long-term dynamics of snow and their impacts on permafrost in Canada |
| |
| Author | Zhang, Y ; Chen,
W; Riseborough, D W |
| Source | Ninth international conference on permafrost, proceedings volume 2; by Kane, D L (ed.); Hinkel, K M (ed.); 2008 p. 2055-2060 |
| Image |  |
| Year | 2008 |
| Alt Series | Earth Sciences Sector, Contribution Series 20070518 |
| Publisher | International Permafrost Association |
| Meeting | Ninth international conference on Permafrost; Fairbanks, Alaska; US; June 29 - July 3, 2008 |
| Document | book |
| Lang. | English |
| Media | paper; CD-ROM; DVD |
| Subjects | surficial geology/geomorphology; Nature and Environment; permafrost; ground ice; freezing ground; ground temperatures; snow; precipitation; models; modelling; Climate change |
| Illustrations | cross-sections; plots; profiles |
| Program | Enhancing resilience in a changing climate |
| Released | 2008 01 01 |
| Abstract | Seasonal snow, controlled mainly by temperature and precipitation, has a significant impact on ground temperature; therefore, it is essential to integrate snow dynamics for assessing the impacts of
climate change on permafrost. In this study, we simulated snow dynamics in a permafrost model over the years 1850-2100 in Canada at a spatial resolution of 0.5° latitude/longitude. We validated the results by comparing them with snow measurements at
climate stations. This long-term spatial modeling shows that snow depth would be thinner in eastern and northern Canada, and the duration of snow cover would be shorter almost everywhere in Canada by the end of the 21st century, causing a 1°C-2°C
warming of annual mean ground temperature compared to changes in the annual mean air temperature. That means the concurrent change in snow condition would reduce the amount of permafrost degradation in response to climate warming. |
| GEOSCAN ID | 224772 |
|
|