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Antarctic climate cooling and terrestrial ecosystem response

Author

Listed:
  • Peter T. Doran

    (University of Illinois at Chicago)

  • John C. Priscu

    (Land Resources and Environmental Sciences, Montana State University)

  • W. Berry Lyons

    (Byrd Polar Research Center, Ohio State University)

  • John E. Walsh

    (University of Illinois)

  • Andrew G. Fountain

    (Portland State University)

  • Diane M. McKnight

    (Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research)

  • Daryl L. Moorhead

    (University of Toledo)

  • Ross A. Virginia

    (Environmental Studies Program, Dartmouth College)

  • Diana H. Wall

    (Colorado State University)

  • Gary D. Clow

    (USGS—Climate Program, Denver Federal Center)

  • Christian H. Fritsen

    (Desert Research Institute)

  • Christopher P. McKay

    (NASA Ames Research Center)

  • Andrew N. Parsons

    (Colorado State University)

Abstract

The average air temperature at the Earth's surface has increased by 0.06 °C per decade during the 20th century1, and by 0.19 °C per decade from 1979 to 19982. Climate models generally predict amplified warming in polar regions3,4, as observed in Antarctica's peninsula region over the second half of the 20th century5,6,7,8,9. Although previous reports suggest slight recent continental warming9,10, our spatial analysis of Antarctic meteorological data demonstrates a net cooling on the Antarctic continent between 1966 and 2000, particularly during summer and autumn. The McMurdo Dry Valleys have cooled by 0.7 °C per decade between 1986 and 2000, with similar pronounced seasonal trends. Summer cooling is particularly important to Antarctic terrestrial ecosystems that are poised at the interface of ice and water. Here we present data from the dry valleys representing evidence of rapid terrestrial ecosystem response to climate cooling in Antarctica, including decreased primary productivity of lakes (6–9% per year) and declining numbers of soil invertebrates (more than 10% per year). Continental Antarctic cooling, especially the seasonality of cooling, poses challenges to models of climate and ecosystem change.

Suggested Citation

  • Peter T. Doran & John C. Priscu & W. Berry Lyons & John E. Walsh & Andrew G. Fountain & Diane M. McKnight & Daryl L. Moorhead & Ross A. Virginia & Diana H. Wall & Gary D. Clow & Christian H. Fritsen &, 2002. "Antarctic climate cooling and terrestrial ecosystem response," Nature, Nature, vol. 415(6871), pages 517-520, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:415:y:2002:i:6871:d:10.1038_nature710
    DOI: 10.1038/nature710
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    Cited by:

    1. Mauro Guglielmin & Nicoletta Cannone, 2012. "A permafrost warming in a cooling Antarctica?," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 111(2), pages 177-195, March.
    2. Lans, Cheryl, 2012. "Money and the epistemologies of ignorance concerning climate change," MPRA Paper 62147, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    3. Theodor Landscheidt, 2003. "New Little ICE Age Instead of Global Warming?," Energy & Environment, , vol. 14(2-3), pages 327-350, May.

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