NGEE Arctic
Next-Generation Ecosystem Experiments
Advancing the predictive power of Earth system models through understanding
of the structure and function of Arctic terrestrial ecosystems
Spatial and temporal controls on nitrogen availability in polygonal tundra landscapes
Spatial and temporal controls on nitrogen availability in polygonal tundra landscapes
September 12th, 2018
Several scaling strategies based on geomorphology were evaluated for complex polygonal landscapes.
The Objective:
- Quantify nitrogen availability across polygonal tundra and assess how biogeochemical cycling of nitrogen can be scaled for purposes of regional modeling.
New Science:
- Several scaling strategies based on geomorphology were evaluated for complex polygonal landscapes.
The Impact:
- Spatial variation in nitrate and ammonium concentrations were determined using a network of ion exchange resins. Soil moisture and temperature were major determinants of nitrogen availability. Nitrogen availability, and nitrate and ammonium concentrations, covaried with landscape position.
Productivity of vegetation is linked to spatial position across the tundra landscape.