Arctic and alpine tundra ecosystems are known to be large reservoirs of organic carbon.
The warming planet may alter the characteristics of tundra environments and could transform them from carbon sinks to carbon sources.
Rising temperatures change the biogeochemistry of an area, affecting local soil by altering nitrogen levels and Ph.
A mean increase of 1.4 degrees Celsius in air temperature, 0.4°C in soil temperature and a 1.6 per cent drop in soil moisture led to a 30 per cent increase in respiration during the growing season.
The warming rate in the tundra biome could reach 0.73°C per decade, significantly outpacing the global average rate of 0.19°C per decade.
Furthermore, soil moisture decreased by 1.6 percent, influencing the tundra’s ability to function as a carbon sink.