Pedoclimate monitoring in the periglacial high mountain soils of the Atacama Desert, northern Chile

Abstract

Pedoclimate monitoring in the Central Andes is key to understanding climatic change in arid high‐mountain low‐latitude environments. We carried out a study of the thermal–hydric regimes of three soils along an altitudinal gradient in the Licancabur Volcano, northern Chile. In situ measurements of soil and air temperature and water content were collected over 19 months, via temperature and moisture probes installed from 5 to 100 cm depths, at 5,061, 4,728 and 4,426 m a.s.l. All soils show a periglacial thermal regime, but without permafrost. The contrasting behavior regarding soil water content and temperature regime along the gradient was attributed to climate, geomorphic features and varying soil attributes. Altitude‐related factors (air temperature and precipitation) drive the overall thermal regime of soils, but the mid‐altitude site showed the coldest soil thermal regime. Here, local landform characteristics (south aspect, mid‐slope location) impose lower solar radiation, influencing the soil thermal regime. Aridity drives unusual periglacial processes, with low frost shattering, no cryoturbation and particular landscape evolution. The thermal behavior affects soil moisture, with the lowest water contents recorded in the winter period due to water freezing at colder sites. Higher clay content results in greater soil moisture, despite the lower rainfall, shallow depth of the wetting front and large variability in water content. The study period included an extreme climatic event, and as such the monitored data do not represent the typical regional seasonal variation. Pedoclimate is more important in driving soil development than altitude‐related factors.

Soil bulk density and altitude are primary drivers of soil water content and soil temperature in the Three Rivers Headwaters Region, China

“…Soil temperature is significantly affected by altitude. As the main topography factor for the redistribution of surface temperature, altitude causes differences in environmental factors, such as vegetation types, climatic conditions, topography, soil parent material and light at different altitudes (Gjorup et al, 2019). Therefore, the distribution of ST also shows vertical distribution differences along altitude gradients (Yang et al, 2015).…”

Freeze–thaw cycles and snow impact at arid permafrost region in Chajnantor Volcano, Atacama, northern Chile

“…Above 4,500 m, this area shows typical processes and periglacial landforms. There was a decrease of 300 to 400 m in the altitudinal belt of periglacial processes during the Last Glacial Maximum (Gjorup et al 2019).…”

The challenges of commercial mountaineering on the highest Volcanic Seven Summit, the Ojos del Salado

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