Organic Carbon Pools and Genesis of Alpine Soils with Permafrost: A Review

Bockheim, James G.; Munroe, Jeffrey S.

doi:10.1657/1938-4246-46.4.987

Cited by 71 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 112 publications

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“…Few active cryoturbated soils have been observed in mid-latitude mountain areas, also above permafrost, likely because of a deep (1-8 m) active layer and a reduced water content (Bockheim and Munroe, 2014). In the considered soils, however, water availability Fig.…”

Section: Patterned Ground Cryoturbation and Short-range Pedogenesis mentioning

confidence: 95%

“…These large patterned ground features in mid-latitude mountain ranges are often relicts of colder periods (e.g., Munroe, 2007); if active, they are mainly caused by seasonal freeze-thaw cycles, and are usually associated with the presence of permafrost (Goldthwait, 1976). In fact, active cryoturbation has been described only in few cases in mid-latitude mountain ranges, also in presence of permafrost: the thick active layer reduces the possibility of ice lensing and the volume change responsible for the effective development of cryoturbation features (Bockheim and Munroe, 2014). On the Alps, active patterned ground is often characterized by small features, derived from daily freeze-thaw cycles (e.g., Matsuoka et al, 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Small-scale variability of soil properties and soil–vegetation relationships in patterned ground on different lithologies (NW Italian Alps)

D’Amico

Gorra

Freppaz

2015

CATENA

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Cryogenic patterned ground represents spectacular periglacial landscapes. On the Alps, sorted/nonsorted patterned ground features larger than 1 m, formed by deep seasonal cryoturbation with or without permafrost, occupy exposed, stable surfaces at high altitudes and represent a particularly harsh habitat for plant life. We analyzed soils across transects through typical active patterned ground features (sorted/nonsorted circles and stripes) on four common lithotypes (calcschists, serpentinite, gabbros and gneiss) in the Western Italian Alps, in order to observe the small-scale lateral and depth variability in physico-chemical properties, and their association with cryoturbation, plant cover and species distribution. Cryoturbation was correlated with lateral/vertical textural sorting across features, mostly visible on silt and coarse sand, but with opposite trends on sorted and nonsorted patterned ground types. A strong lateral variability in organic carbon was detected, with high values near the better vegetated rims and low contents in the centers. Exchangeable bases, heavy metals and nutrients followed the same distribution. However, the differences inherited from the parent materials were overwhelming. Climate is the main driver of high altitude ecosystems, reducing total plant cover and causing cryoturbation, which in turn creates strong edaphic gradients over small distances. Plant species and communities are well correlated with edaphic properties inherited from the parent materials, such as exchangeable Ca and heavy metals.

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Section: Patterned Ground Cryoturbation and Short-range Pedogenesis mentioning

confidence: 95%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Small-scale variability of soil properties and soil–vegetation relationships in patterned ground on different lithologies (NW Italian Alps)

D’Amico

Gorra

Freppaz

2015

CATENA

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“…Soils with an umbric epipedon are common in the circumarctic (Tarnocai and Bockheim 2011 ); they are particularly common in mountains containing permafrost (Bockheim and Munroe 2014 ); and they occur to a limited extent on the western Antarctic Peninsula and its offshore islands (Michel et al 2006 ;Simas et al 2007 ). The mollic epipedon is a thick, dark-colored, highly base saturated mineral horizon that is enriched in organic matter.…”

Section: Diagnostic Horizons In Cryosolsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The ochric epipedon is lighter in color, lower in organic matter, or too thin to satisfy the requirements of the mollic or umbric epipedon. The ochric epipedon is common in the High Arctic (Tarnocai and Bockheim 2011 ), the Antarctic mountains, and in the nival zone of high mountains (Bockheim and Munroe 2014 ).…”

Section: Diagnostic Horizons In Cryosolsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Classification of Cryosols

Bockheim¹

2014

Cryopedology

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Environmental controls on soil organic carbon and nitrogen stocks in the high‐altitude arid western Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau permafrost region

Zhao

Han

et al. 2016

JGR Biogeosciences

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While permafrost in the circum‐Artic has great influence on soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) stocks, this might not be the case in low‐latitude arid permafrost regions. We test this hypothesis in the western Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau (QTP) permafrost region. Fifty‐nine soil profiles were analyzed to examine the SOC and TN distribution and the controlling factors in western QTP, which is a desert steppe ecoregion. Mean stocks of SOC (5.29 kg m−2) and TN (0.56 kg m−2) for the top 200 cm in this area were lower than those of the east QTP and circum‐Arctic regions. The SOC and TN stocks under vegetative cover with permafrost conditions were significantly higher than those of desert conditions. The SOC and TN stocks for the layers of different depths were related to the content of clay, silt, and moisture. Although the active layer thickness (ALT) had a significant negative correlation to soil moisture, the ALT explained little or no variance in the SOC and TN stocks. The results showed that in the vast permafrost regions of the western QTP, the SOC and TN stocks are very low, and the main controlling factors for the SOC and TN are soil texture, moisture, and vegetation type. The SOC pool in this area may not be as vulnerable to degradation associated with climate warming and thus not emit greenhouse gases at the same rate as other permafrost regions. The different response of the SOC in this region should be considered in carbon cycling models.

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Organic Carbon Pools and Genesis of Alpine Soils with Permafrost: A Review

Cited by 71 publications

References 112 publications

Small-scale variability of soil properties and soil–vegetation relationships in patterned ground on different lithologies (NW Italian Alps)

Small-scale variability of soil properties and soil–vegetation relationships in patterned ground on different lithologies (NW Italian Alps)

Classification of Cryosols

Environmental controls on soil organic carbon and nitrogen stocks in the high‐altitude arid western Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau permafrost region

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