Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 07/24/2008 - 17:43

Hello my name is Bruce Hicks From Los Angeles Valley College a Oceanagraphy student.I was wondering if the research on the carbon,water and energy influxes has yielded any intresting finding so far. 

Catherine Campbell

Hi Bruce,
Thanks for your question.  There have been many results from the researchers over the past years.  The main finding has been that as the tundra warms and the permafrost thaws, more nutrients are made available for the plants. The shrub plants such as Betula nana (dwarf birch) really like the warm fertilized areas and take over, leaving the grasses and sedges occupying less and less percentage of flora.  There are also differences in soil organisms when nitrogen is increased or carbon is increased.  If you didn't get a chance to see the webinar where the researchers talked about their findings, check it out on the additional resource page.  You'll be able to download both audio and slides that explain more fully what the research is showing.
Thanks, and take care.
Cathy