Ground subsidence effects on simulating dynamic high-latitude surface inundation under permafrost thaw using CLM5
<p>Simulating surface inundation is particularly challenging for the high-latitude permafrost regions. Ice-rich permafrost thaw can create expanding thermokarst lakes as well as shrinking large wetlands. Such processes can have major biogeochemical implications and feedbacks to the climate sys...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2019-12-01
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| Series: | Geoscientific Model Development |
| Online Access: | https://www.geosci-model-dev.net/12/5291/2019/gmd-12-5291-2019.pdf |
| Summary: | <p>Simulating surface inundation is particularly challenging
for the high-latitude permafrost regions. Ice-rich permafrost thaw can
create expanding thermokarst lakes as well as shrinking large wetlands. Such
processes can have major biogeochemical implications and feedbacks to the
climate system by altering the pathways and rates of permafrost carbon
release. However, the processes associated with it have not yet been
properly represented in Earth system models. We show a new model
parameterization that allows direct representation of surface water dynamics
in CLM (Community Land Model), the land surface model of several Earth
System Models. Specifically, we coupled permafrost-thaw-induced ground
subsidence and surface microtopography distribution to represent surface
water dynamics in the high latitudes. Our results show increased surface
water fractions around western Siberian plains and northeastern territories
of Canada. Additionally, localized drainage events correspond well to severe
ground subsidence events. Our parameterization is one of the first steps
towards a process-oriented representation of surface hydrology, which is
crucial to assess the biogeochemical feedbacks between land and the
atmosphere under changing climate.</p> |
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| ISSN: | 1991-959X 1991-9603 |