Permafrost occurrence and distribution are highly dependent on climatic conditions. In Antarctica, permafrost occurs in deglaciated areas; it is usually associated with vegetation communities. A monitoring program based on the sensitive system “vegetation-permafrost” will allow to detect climate change effects. In this paper we propose a research protocol to monitor active layer changes and vegetation development through the phytosociological approach. In each study site different types of vegetation-permafrost systems have to be analysed to calibrate climate change effects both within the same study site and along the transect, thus avoiding the interference of local processes. A first step of the protocol has been realised at Jubany, King George Island, where 5 permanent plots have been installed in 2001. The next steps will be the creation of a monitoring site in Terra Nova Bay for Continental Antarctica and on Signy Island for Maritime Antarctica.
Vegetation and permafrost: sensitive systems for the development of a monitoring program of climate change along an Antarctic transect
CANNONE, Nicoletta;
2003
Abstract
Permafrost occurrence and distribution are highly dependent on climatic conditions. In Antarctica, permafrost occurs in deglaciated areas; it is usually associated with vegetation communities. A monitoring program based on the sensitive system “vegetation-permafrost” will allow to detect climate change effects. In this paper we propose a research protocol to monitor active layer changes and vegetation development through the phytosociological approach. In each study site different types of vegetation-permafrost systems have to be analysed to calibrate climate change effects both within the same study site and along the transect, thus avoiding the interference of local processes. A first step of the protocol has been realised at Jubany, King George Island, where 5 permanent plots have been installed in 2001. The next steps will be the creation of a monitoring site in Terra Nova Bay for Continental Antarctica and on Signy Island for Maritime Antarctica.I documenti in SFERA sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
