The present climate atlas will show the climatic differences between selected arctic regions from Eurasia, or strictly speaking Russia, and North America. The main emphasis will thereby be put on the difference between oceanic (maritime) and continental climate. It will also show the spread of permafrost and the localisation of the Arctic tree line, which both depends on the existing climate.
In the Appendix, the climate-diagrams for each selected station and equivalent maps of the chosen sections and for the locating of the tree line and the permafrost can be found.
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Der hier vorliegende Klima-Atlas zeigt die klimatischen Unterschiede zwischen ausgewählten Arktischen Region in Eurasien (Russland) und Nordamerika. Der Schwerpunkt wird dabei auf die Unterschiede zwischen maritimen und kontinentalen Klima gelegt. Im Klima-Atlas wird aber auch auf die Verbreitung der Permafrostgebiete und den Verlauf der arktischen Baumgrenze eingegangen.
Im Anhang finden man die Klimadiagramme für jede ausgewählte Klimastation und entsprechende Karten für die gewählten Sektionen sowie zur Verbreitung des Permafrosts und dem Verlauf der arktischen Baumgrenze.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Arctic climate stations
2.1. Siberian Section
2.3. Komi-Nanette Section
2.4. Quebec Section
2.5. Central-Canada Section
2.6. Alaska
3. Permafrost and Arctic tree line
4. Conclusions
Objectives and Topics
This work aims to illustrate the climatic differences between selected Arctic regions in Eurasia and North America, focusing on the distinction between oceanic and continental climates and their impact on permafrost distribution and the Arctic tree line.
- Climatic comparison of oceanic vs. continental regions in the Arctic.
- Detailed analysis of four south-north cross-sections in Russia, Canada, and Alaska.
- Examination of vegetation zones (Taiga and Tundra) and their climatic determinants.
- Relationship between permafrost types and local temperature/precipitation patterns.
- Geographical factors influencing the Arctic tree line and permafrost extent.
Excerpt from the Book
3. Permafrost and Arctic tree line
In the Introduction was already mentioned, that four types of permafrost could be distinguished by the extension (continuous, discontinuous, isolated an sporadic permafrost).
The largest permafrost regions can be found in central and eastern Siberia and in northern Canada and Alaska (see Map 8 in the Appendix). At high latitudes in regions with a continental climate the permafrost may reach a high dept in the ground and covers large areas (zone of continuous permafrost). Further south, reaching the areas of discontinuous or isolated permafrost the dept is littler and you may find peat lands and isolated ice masses beside the permafrost areas. On the southern margin of permafrost, thick peats are found. (Harris, 1986) Overlaying permafrost is an “active” layer of rock or soil that will melt in summer and freezing again in winter (Oxford, 1978).
Decisive for the permafrost distribution are climatic and terrain factors like the ground temperature, the amount and duration of heat applied to the ground surface, the snow cover, the local relief and vegetation and hydrology (Harris, 1986). The snow cover, or strictly spoken the time of arrival of the snow cover, the snow dept and its duration, plays an important role on existence of permafrost, because it protects the underling ground from the cold air like an insulator. For example “the differences in the distribution of permafrost on the two sides of the Hudson Bay are due to the deeper snow cover in Quebec” (Harris, 1986, p.61). This fact is also shown in the climate tables of the Central-Canadian section and the Quebec Section, which are given in chapter 2. The topography or relief influences the microclimate and the amount of solar radiation received by the ground surface. It also will influence the snow cover.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter defines the climatic differences between oceanic and continental regions and introduces the criteria for classifying Arctic climate types.
2. Arctic climate stations: This section presents a comparative analysis of climatic data across various longitudinal and latitudinal sections in Siberia, Komi, Quebec, Central Canada, and Alaska.
3. Permafrost and Arctic tree line: This chapter examines the physical factors, including temperature, snow cover, and hydrology, that determine the distribution of permafrost and the transition to the Arctic tree line.
4. Conclusions: This section summarizes how climatic conditions, particularly temperature and precipitation, influence the northern vegetation zones and the boundaries of permafrost.
Keywords
Arctic, Climate, Permafrost, Taiga, Tundra, Precipitation, Temperature, Eurasia, North America, Continental Climate, Oceanic Climate, Tree Line, Biogeography, Climate Atlas, Vegetation Zones
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this work?
The work focuses on the climatic variation within Arctic and sub-Arctic regions, specifically comparing oceanic and continental climate patterns across Eurasia and North America.
What are the central themes discussed?
The central themes are the classification of Arctic climates, the characteristics of Taiga and Tundra vegetation zones, and the environmental factors controlling permafrost and the Arctic tree line.
What is the main objective of the research?
The objective is to map out climatic differences and analyze how these influence the local physical geography, such as the depth and continuity of permafrost and tree growth limitations.
Which scientific methods are utilized?
The author uses a comparative analysis of meteorological data from selected climate stations, combined with the examination of vegetation maps and regional climate diagrams.
What topics are covered in the main section?
The main section covers detailed climatic data for specific sections: Siberia, Komi-Nanets, Quebec, Central Canada, and Alaska, followed by a discussion on ecological boundaries.
Which keywords best describe this study?
Key terms include Arctic, Permafrost, Taiga, Tundra, climate zones, climate stations, biogeography, and Arctic tree line.
How is the Siberian section characterized in this study?
The Siberian section is highlighted for its hyper-continental climate, featuring large temperature amplitudes and continuous permafrost coverage in its northern regions.
What role does snow cover play for permafrost?
Snow cover acts as an insulator, protecting the ground from extremely cold winter air, which is a decisive factor in the distribution of permafrost in regions like Quebec compared to other areas.
How does the Arctic tree line behave in different regions?
The tree line is not a rigid boundary but a broad zone of transition, the location of which is strongly influenced by summer temperatures, relief, and human activity.
- Citar trabajo
- Dipl. Geogr. Christian Momberger (Autor), 2001, Climate Atlas of Eurasian and North American Arctic regions, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/113747
