Tundra Water and Carbon Cycles + Prudhoe Bay Case Study

Why is the tundra water cycle slow?

• Low precipitation

• Low evapotranspiration

• Frozen ground limits infiltration

• Short summer melt season

How does permafrost affect water movement?

• Prevents deep infiltration

• Encourages surface water accumulation

• Creates wetlands and ponds during summer

Why is the tundra a major global carbon store?

• Organic matter accumulates in frozen soils

• Decomposition is extremely slow

• Carbon has been stored for thousands of years

Why is NPP low in the tundra? (Net Primary Productivity)

• Short growing season

• Low temperatures

• Limited sunlight during winter

What is the significance of permafrost thaw?

• Releases stored carbon

• Emits methane and CO₂

• Creates a positive feedback to climate change

Where is Prudhoe Bay?

• North Slope of Alaska

• Major oil and gas extraction region

How does oil extraction affect the tundra carbon cycle?

• Disturbs permafrost

• Increases greenhouse gas emissions

• May accelerate carbon release from frozen stores

How does infrastructure affect the tundra water cycle?

• Alters drainage patterns

• Can increase permafrost thaw

• Changes movement of water through the active layer