Physical factors affecting Tundra flows
- Created by: Katariina
- Created on: 22-12-21 21:48
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- Physical factors affecting the flows and stores in the water and carbon cycles
- Water cycle
- Rock permeability
- Crystalline rocks and permafrost ensure that permeability is low
- Relief
- Gently undulating plain (erosion + weathering). Minimal relief and chaotic glacial deposits contribute to waterlogging in summer
- Temperature
- Summer temperatures = upper limit 10C (high)
- Shallow, active layer of permafrost melts = liquid flows to the surface
- Some evaporation occurs from standing water
- Winter temperatures = as low as -40C
- Water is stored as ground ice in permafrost
- Sub-zero temperatures prevent evapo-transpiration
- Summer temperatures = upper limit 10C (high)
- Rock permeability
- Carbon cycle
- Temperature
- Low temperatures mean that plant growth, de-composition and flows are limited in the winter months
- Vegetation
- Low NPP means that there is low carbon source (plant-based)
- Organic matter in soil
- Soil is frozen most of the year and there is little organic matter because of low NPP
- Mineral composition of rocks
- This has little influence on the carbon (and water) cycles because permafrost is impermeable
- Temperature
- Water cycle
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