Comparison of soil-surface temperatures with satellite trends of increasing phytomass in northern Alaska

Abstract:

Multiple studies have demonstrated evidence of widespread Arctic “greening.” In situ vegetation studies have found increases in biomass and vegetation thickness and height in the region. Results from long-term studies on a transect of Circumpolar Active-Layer Monitoring (CALM) sites in northern Alaska show that soil-surface temperatures appear to be reflecting these changes in phytomass. Comparison between previously published NDVI trends computed from AVHRR (8.5-12 km) satellite data and mean soil-surface temperatures measured at 1-ha plots established in 1995 show that trends identified in regional studies can also be detected in plot-level measurements. These results illustrate the importance of long-term research to quantify trends in a changing landscape.