According to a study published in the journal Nature Climate Change, 40% of the Arctic boreal zone has now become a carbon source, releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This finding matches NOAA’s 2024 Arctic Report Card, which confirmed the transformation of Arctic tundra from a carbon sink to a carbon source due to rising temperatures and forest fire activity.
Key findings of the study on Arctic
Carbon source
- During 2001-2020, 30% of the Arctic region was a source of carbon dioxide.
- This figure increased to 40% when fire events were included.
- Fire impact: Emissions from fires in the Arctic play a key role in transforming the region into a carbon source.
- Meteorological impact: Carbon emissions during September to May are higher than the carbon absorbed in summer (June–August).
Reasons for becoming a carbon source
- Increasing vegetation period: Longer growing season and increased microbial activity are changing the carbon balance.
- Increasing incidence of fires: Increasing intensity and frequency of forest fires is further worsening the situation.
- Melting of permafrost: Melting of permanently frozen land is releasing stored carbon into the atmosphere as CO2 and methane.
Effect of greening
- 49% of the area is showing greening, which is happening due to increasing vegetation period and growth.
- However, only 12% of the area acts as a net carbon sink annually, as rising temperatures and melting of permafrost disturb this balance.
Carbon sink vs Carbon source
Carbon sink
- The system that absorbs more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is called a carbon sink.
- Example: Forests, oceans, soil.
Carbon Source
- When a system emits more carbon into the atmosphere than it absorbs, it is called a carbon source.
- Examples: burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, melting of permafrost.
Arctic Boreal Zone
- The Arctic Boreal Zone is a vast northern ecosystem located along the Arctic Circle, covering about 26 million square kilometers.
Main Regions
- Tundra: Snowy and treeless areas.
- Boreal forests (Taiga): Dense coniferous forests.
- Wetlands: Swampy and moist lands.
Main Locations
- Alaska
- Canada
- Northern Europe
- Siberia