Permafrost and the Carbon Cycle

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms related to the relationship between permafrost and the carbon cycle.

Permafrost

Permanently frozen ground found in high-latitude regions that acts as a major carbon reservoir.

Carbon Reservoir

A natural storage area for carbon, such as permafrost, that holds carbon over long periods.

Organic Carbon

Carbon found in organic compounds, predominantly from dead plants that couldn't decompose due to cold conditions.

Greenhouse Gases

Gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, that trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to global warming.

Active Layer

The layer of soil on top of permafrost that thaws in summer and freezes in fall.

Decomposition

The process by which organic matter is broken down by microbes, releasing carbon dioxide and methane.

Albedo

The measure of how much sunlight is reflected by a surface; high albedo indicates more reflection.

Feedback Loop

A cycle where a change in a system causes further changes, which can accelerate climate change in the context of thawing permafrost.

Climate Change

Long-term alterations in temperature and typical weather patterns in a place, exacerbated by melting permafrost.

Carbon Cycle

The natural process of carbon movement through the atmosphere, land, and oceans, affected by thawing permafrost.