A Song of Water and Fire: Exploring the Interplay of Elemental Forces Shaping Resilience of Boreal and Tundra Ecosystems

Summary

Climate warming in the northern high latitudes has progressed at a rate 2-4 times faster than the global average, leading to significant yet puzzling changes in the vegetation structure and functioning of the tundra and boreal biomes.

Using satellite data and various models, this thesis investigates the complex interactions among surface water cover, intensified fire activity, and vegetation responses in boreal and tundra ecosystems. My research reveals three key positive feedbacks involving water, fire, and vegetation, demonstrating that these feedbacks can operate on broad spatial scales, potentially leading to biome-wide tipping points triggered by climate warming.

These findings have significant implications for understanding ecosystem resilience, carbon cycle, and climate feedbacks.