The International Global Atmospheric Chemistry (IGAC) Project

Focus on the Role of Boreal Regions in Biosphere-Atmosphere Interactions

The overall objective of this Focus is to examine the role of the boreal regions as sources and sinks of trace gases, and the ecosystem dynamics controlling these fluxes. The forests, lakes, and wetlands, covering vast areas of North America, Scandinavia and northern Eurasia have significant influences on global climate and atmospheric composition and are the subject of the IGAC Boreal Focus. Climate change modeling implies that warming due to increases in greenhouse gases will intensify towards the poles, which could strongly enhance carbon dioxide and methane emissions from northern wetlands and permafrost regions. These regions also emit other chemically active compounds and act as significant recipients for trace gases and aerosol particles transported from mid-latitudes. Emissions of trace gases like methane are sensitive to changes in soil temperature and the amounts of water and organic matter in the soil. One Activity is underway at present in this Focus:

The field component of a major joint Canadian-USA effort (the Northern Wetlands Study, NOWES) carried out in northern Canada as the first Task under this Activity has already been completed. Several new Tasks focusing on boreal forest regions are currently underway or are being planned, some in collaboration with IGBPÍs GCTE and Biosphere Aspects of the Hydrological Cycle (BAHC) Core Projects.

Detailed information about this Activity is available from the Convener of its Coordinating Committee:

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