Detection of rain-on-snow (ROS) events and ice layer formation using passive microwave radiometry: A context for Peary caribou habitat in the Canadian Arctic

Langlois, Alexandre; Johnson, Cheryl A.; Montpetit, Benoît; Royer, A.; Blukacz‐Richards, E. Agnes; Neave, Erin; Dolant, Caroline; Roy, Alexandre; Arhonditsis, George B.; Kim, D.-K.; Kaluskar, Samarth; Brucker, Ludovic

doi:10.1016/j.rse.2016.11.006

Cited by 55 publications

(56 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…The PMW series is also consistent over time unlike some reanalysis datasets. Several studies have focused on the development of ROS detection methods using PMW data and encouraging results were obtained at some field sites (e.g., Dolant et al, 2016;Grenfell and Putkonen, 2008;Langlois et al, 2016). Future work will focus on the detection of pan-Arctic ice lenses (from both melt-refreeze and ROS events) by integrating PMW techniques.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Frequency and distribution of winter melt events from passive microwave satellite data in the pan-Arctic, 1988–2013

et al. 2016

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Abstract. This study presents an algorithm for detecting winter melt events in seasonal snow cover based on temporal variations in the brightness temperature difference between 19 and 37 GHz from satellite passive microwave measurements. An advantage of the passive microwave approach is that it is based on the physical presence of liquid water in the snowpack, which may not be the case with melt events inferred from surface air temperature data. The algorithm is validated using in situ observations from weather stations, snow pit measurements, and a surface-based passive microwave radiometer. The validation results indicate the algorithm has a high success rate for melt durations lasting multiple hours/days and where the melt event is preceded by warm air temperatures. The algorithm does not reliably identify short-duration events or events that occur immediately after or before periods with extremely cold air temperatures due to the thermal inertia of the snowpack and/or overpass and resolution limitations of the satellite data. The results of running the algorithm over the pan-Arctic region (north of 50 • N) for the 1988-2013 period show that winter melt events are relatively rare, totaling less than 1 week per winter over most areas, with higher numbers of melt days (around two weeks per winter) occurring in more temperate regions of the Arctic (e.g., central Québec and Labrador, southern Alaska and Scandinavia). The observed spatial pattern is similar to winter melt events inferred with surface air temperatures from the ERA-Interim (ERA-I) and Modern Era-Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA) reanalysis datasets. There was little evidence of trends in winter melt event frequency over 1988-2013 with the exception of negative trends over northern Europe attributed to a shortening of the duration of the winter period. The frequency of winter melt events is shown to be strongly correlated to the duration of winter period. This must be taken into account when analyzing trends to avoid generating false positive trends from shifts in the timing of the snow cover season.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Frequency and distribution of winter melt events from passive microwave satellite data in the pan-Arctic, 1988–2013

et al. 2016

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“…Although increased temperatures and shorter winters may benefit Rangifer by improving access to forage, warm weather also produces more frequent icing events, which can lead to mass starvation, or at least displacement from preferred habitat, in populations (Hansen et al 2014;Loe et al 2016;Langlois et al 2017). Increases in wildfire activity on winter ranges of caribou populations can degrade habitat quantity and quality, while improving it for other ungulate species whose ranges could then expand Anderson and Johnson 2014).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Icing events, which result in malnutrition and starvation, have been associated with catastrophic die-offs of Rangifer (but see Tyler 2010) and other ungulates (Forchhammer and Boertmann 1993;Putkonen and Roe 2003). These events have particular significance in the High Arctic among Peary caribou (Miller and Gunn 2003;Tews et al 2007a;Miller and Barry 2009;Langlois et al 2017) and Svalbard reindeer (Kohler and Aanes 2004;Hansen et al 2014), but they have also been observed in semi-domesticated reindeer populations in Scandinavia (Heggberget et al 2002;Putkonen and Roe 2003) and Russia (Bartsch et al 2010;Forbes et al 2016). Noncatastrophic rain-on-snow and icing events have negative associations with body condition (Bartsch et al 2010;Loe et al 2016) and reproductive success (Helle and Kojola 2008;Stien et al 2012) in caribou and reindeer.…”

Section: Extreme Weather and Icing Eventsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Observed and predicted effects of climate change on Arctic caribou and reindeer

2018

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Abstract:The ability of many species to adapt to the shifting environmental conditions associated with climate change will be a key determinant of their persistence in the coming decades. This is a challenge already faced by species in the Arctic, where rapid environmental change is well underway. Caribou and reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) play a key role in Arctic ecosystems and provide irreplaceable socioeconomic value to many northern peoples. Recent decades have seen declines in many Rangifer populations, and there is strong concern that climate change is threatening the viability of this iconic Arctic species. We examine the literature to provide a thorough and full consideration of the many environmental factors that limit caribou and reindeer populations, and how these might be affected by a warming climate. Our review suggests that the response of Rangifer populations to climate change is, and will continue to be, varied in large part to their broad circumpolar distribution. While caribou and reindeer could have some resilience to climate change, current global trends in abundance undermine all but the most precautionary outlooks. Ultimately, the conservation of Rangifer populations will require careful management that considers the local and regional manifestations of climate change.Key words: climate change, caribou, reindeer, Rangifer, Arctic.Résumé : La capacité de bien des espèces à s'adapter aux conditions changeantes du milieu, associées au changement climatique, sera un facteur déterminant de leur pérennité dans les décennies à venir. Ceci constitue un défi auquel les espèces sont déjà confrontées dans l'Arctique, où la dégradation rapide de l'environnement est bien amorcée. Les caribous et les rennes (Rangifer tarandus) jouent un rôle essentiel dans les écosystèmes arctiques et apportent une valeur socio-économique irremplaçable aux populations du Nord. Au cours des dernières décennies, il y a eu des déclins dans beaucoup de populations de Rangifer et il règne une grande inquiétude que le changement climatique menace la viabilité de cette espèce iconique de l'Arctique. Nous examinons la littérature afin de fournir une étude complète et minutieuse des nombreux facteurs du milieu restreignant les populations de caribous et de rennes, et de déterminer comment ces populations pourraient être touchées par le réchauffement climatique. Notre examen suggère que la réponse des populations de Rangifer au changement climatique est, et continuera à être, diverse principalement en raison de leur vaste aire de répartition circumpolaire. Tandis que les caribous et les rennes pourraient avoir une certaine résilience au changement climatique, les tendances globales actuelles d'abondance des espèces affaiblissent toutes les perspectives sauf les plus préoccupantes. En fin de compte, la conservation des populations de Rangifer nécessitera une gestion prudente qui prenne en compte les manifestations locales et régionales de changement climatique. [Traduit par la Rédaction]

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“…These changes can impact snow properties and runoff (Hansen et al 2014) which in turn will affect arctic ecosystems (Bokhorst et al 2016;Langlois et al 2017). Pedersen et al (2016) found that episodic mid-winter thaws in east and west Greenland coastal areas generated by foehn winds altered snowpack properties, depleted water storage by up to 52%, and led to an advance in snowmelt by 6-12 days.…”

Section: Future Snow Conditions At Pbp and Bathurst Islandmentioning

confidence: 99%

Snow cover variability at Polar Bear Pass, Nunavut

2018

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Information on arctic snow covers is relevant for climate and hydrology studies and investigations into the sustainability of both arctic fauna and flora. This study aims to (1) highlight the variability of snow cover at Polar Bear Pass (PBP) at a range of scales: point, local, and regional using both in situ snow cover measurements and remote sensing imagery products; and (2) consider how snow cover at PBP might change in the future. Terrain-based snow surveys documented the end-of-winter snowpacks over several seasons (2008)(2009)(2010)(2012)(2013), and snowmelt was measured daily at typical terrain types. MODIS products (snow cover) were used to document spatial snow cover variability across PBP and Bathurst and Cornwallis Islands. Due to limited data, no significant difference in snow cover duration can be identified at PBP over the period of record. Locally, end-of-winter snow cover does vary across a range of terrain types with snow depths and densities reflecting polar oasis sites. Aspect remains a defining factor in terms of snow cover variability at PBP. Northern areas of the Pass melt earlier. Regionally, PBP tends to melt out earlier than most of Bathurst Island. In the future, we surmise that snowpacks at PBP will be thinner and disappear earlier.

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Detection of rain-on-snow (ROS) events and ice layer formation using passive microwave radiometry: A context for Peary caribou habitat in the Canadian Arctic

Cited by 55 publications

References 35 publications

Frequency and distribution of winter melt events from passive microwave satellite data in the pan-Arctic, 1988–2013

Frequency and distribution of winter melt events from passive microwave satellite data in the pan-Arctic, 1988–2013

Observed and predicted effects of climate change on Arctic caribou and reindeer

Snow cover variability at Polar Bear Pass, Nunavut

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