scholarly journals Pinus cembra L. tree-ring data as a proxy for summer mass-balance variability of the Careser Glacier (Italian Rhaetian Alps)

2020 ◽  
Vol 66 (259) ◽  
pp. 714-726
Author(s):  
Riccardo Cerrato ◽  
Maria Cristina Salvatore ◽  
Björn E. Gunnarson ◽  
Hans W. Linderholm ◽  
Luca Carturan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Winter Precipitation ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Pinus Cembra ◽  
Alpine Glacier ◽  
Latewood Density ◽  
Tree Ring Data ◽  
Critical Issues ◽  
Swiss Stone Pine ◽  
Divergence Problem

AbstractGlacial extent and mass balance are sensitive climate proxies providing solid information on past climatic conditions. However, series of annual mass-balance measurements of more than 60 years are scarce. To our knowledge, this is the first time the latewood density data (MXD) of the Swiss stone pine (Pinus cembra L.) have been used to reconstruct the summer mass balance (Bs) of an Alpine glacier. The MXD-based Bs well correlates with a Bs reconstruction based on the May to September temperature. Winter precipitation has been used as an independent proxy to infer the winter mass balance and to obtain an annual mass-balance (Bn) estimate dating back to the glaciological year 1811/12. The reconstructed MXD/precipitation-based Bn well correlates with the data both of the Careser and of other Alpine glaciers measured by the glaciological method. A number of critical issues should be considered in both proxies, including non-linear response of glacial mass balance to temperature, bedrock topography, ice thinning and fragmentation, MXD acquisition and standardization methods, and finally the ‘divergence problem’ responsible for the recently reduced sensitivity of the dendrochronological data. Nevertheless, our results highlight the possibility of performing MXD-based dendroglaciological reconstructions using this stable and reliable proxy.

scholarly journals Modeling Mass-Balance Changes During a Glaciation Cycle

1990 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 238-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.S. Pelto ◽  
S.M. Higgins ◽  
T.J. Hughes ◽  
J.L. Fastook
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Ice Sheets ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Alpine Glacier ◽  
Alpine Glaciers

Identification of present-day climate setting and alpine glacier-balance gradients indicates that the balance gradient of alpine glaciers is primarily determined by climatic conditions. Determination of balance gradients for specific climatic settings on present-day ice sheets provides an analog for determining the mass balance on paleo and future ice sheets.

Tree-ring-based mass-balance estimates for the past 300 years at Peyto Glacier, Alberta, Canada

2004 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Watson ◽  
Brian H Luckman
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Tree Ring ◽  
Gulf Of Alaska ◽  
Winter Precipitation ◽  
Canadian Rocky Mountains ◽  
Mass Balances ◽  
Positive Mass ◽  
Canadian Rockies ◽  
Temperature And Precipitation ◽  
Tree Ring Data

Tree rings were used to reconstruct mass balance for Peyto Glacier in the Canadian Rocky Mountains from A.D. 1673 to 1994. Summer balance was reconstructed from tree-ring estimates of summer temperature and precipitation in the Canadian Rockies. Winter balance was derived from tree-ring data from sites bordering the Gulf of Alaska and in western British Columbia. The models for winter and summer balance each explain over 40% of the variance in the appropriate mass-balance series. Over the period 1966–1994 the correlation between the reconstructed and measured net balances is 0.71. Strong positive mass balances are reconstructed for 1695–1720 and 1810–1825, when higher winter precipitation coincided with reduced ablation. Periods of reconstructed positive mass balance precede construction of terminal moraines throughout the Canadian Rockies ca. 1700–1725 and 1825–1850. Positive mass balances in the period 1845–1880 also correspond to intervals of glacier readvance. Mass balances were generally negative between 1760 and 1805. From 1673 to 1883 the mean annual net balance was +70 mm water equivalent per year (w.e./yr.), but it averaged −317 mm w.e./yr from 1884 to 1994. This reconstructed mass balance history provides a continuous record of glacier change that appears regionally representative and consistent with moraine and other proxy climate records.

scholarly journals Eastern Alpine glacier activity and climatic records since 1860

1997 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
pp. 164-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Kuhn ◽  
E. Schlosser ◽  
N. Span
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Winter Precipitation ◽  
Winter Temperature ◽  
Precipitation Data ◽  
Mass Balances ◽  
Positive Mass ◽  
Alpine Glacier ◽  
Temperature And Precipitation ◽  
Glacier Front ◽  
The Difference

We have analyzed records of glacier-front variations, mass-balance reconstructions, temperature and precipitation data of Alpine stations, and found that the difference between summer and winter temperature in connection with winter precipitation is a useful indicator of glacier activity. Application of this parameter to the records of six stations since 1860 indicated the advance around 1920 had been preceded by a decade with frequent positive mass balances, while the period 1928–64 was characterized by increased climatic continentality and strong, uniform glacier retreats.

scholarly journals Eastern Alpine glacier activity and climatic records since 1860

1997 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
pp. 164-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Kuhn ◽  
E. Schlosser ◽  
N. Span
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Winter Precipitation ◽  
Winter Temperature ◽  
Precipitation Data ◽  
Mass Balances ◽  
Positive Mass ◽  
Alpine Glacier ◽  
Temperature And Precipitation ◽  
Glacier Front ◽  
The Difference

We have analyzed records of glacier-front variations, mass-balance reconstructions, temperature and precipitation data of Alpine stations, and found that the difference between summer and winter temperature in connection with winter precipitation is a useful indicator of glacier activity. Application of this parameter to the records of six stations since 1860 indicated the advance around 1920 had been preceded by a decade with frequent positive mass balances, while the period 1928–64 was characterized by increased climatic continentality and strong, uniform glacier retreats.

scholarly journals Modeling Mass-Balance Changes During a Glaciation Cycle

1990 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 238-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.S. Pelto ◽  
S.M. Higgins ◽  
T.J. Hughes ◽  
J.L. Fastook
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Ice Sheets ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Alpine Glacier ◽  
Alpine Glaciers

Identification of present-day climate setting and alpine glacier-balance gradients indicates that the balance gradient of alpine glaciers is primarily determined by climatic conditions. Determination of balance gradients for specific climatic settings on present-day ice sheets provides an analog for determining the mass balance on paleo and future ice sheets.

scholarly journals Climatic conditions, mass balance and dynamics of Larsen B ice shelf, Antarctic Peninsula, prior to collapse

2004 ◽  
Vol 39 ◽  
pp. 557-562 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro Skvarca ◽  
Hernán De Angelis ◽  
Andrés F. Zakrajsek
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Antarctic Peninsula ◽  
Satellite Image ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Strain Rates ◽  
Ice Shelf ◽  
Ice Flow ◽  
Ice Shelves ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Significant Acceleration

AbstractFollowing the collapse of Larsen A in 1995, about 3200 km2 of Larsen B ice shelf disintegrated in early 2002 during the warmest summer recorded on the northeastern Antarctic Peninsula. Immediately prior to disintegration the last field campaign was carried out on Larsen B. Measurements included surface net mass balance, velocity and strain rate on a longitudinal transect along Crane Glacier flowline and over a remnant section confined within Seal Nunataks that survived the collapse. In addition, an automatic weather station located nearby allowed derivation of melt days relevant to the formation and extent of surface meltwater. Repeated surveys allowed us to detect a significant acceleration in ice-flow velocity and associated increasing strain rates along the longitudinal transect. It may be possible to use this acceleration as a predictor of imminent ice-shelf collapse, applicable to ice shelves subject to similar climatic conditions. Additional information on recent ongoing changes was provided by a visible satellite image acquired in early 2003.

scholarly journals Tree diversity and the temporal stability of mountain forest productivity: testing the effect of species composition, through asynchrony and overyielding

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marion Jourdan ◽  
Christian Piedallu ◽  
Jonas Baudry ◽  
Xavier Morin
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Fagus Sylvatica ◽  
Stress Gradient ◽  
Abies Alba ◽  
Forest Productivity ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Mixed Stands ◽  
Tree Ring Data ◽  
Diversity Effect ◽  
Over Time

ABSTRACTClimate change modifies ecosystem processes directly through its effect on environmental conditions, but also indirectly by changing community composition. Theoretical studies and grassland experiments suggest that diversity may increase and stabilize communities’ productivity over time. Few recent studies on forest ecosystems suggested the same pattern but with a larger variability between the results. In this paper, we aimed to test stabilizing diversity effect for two kinds of mixtures (Fagus sylvatica - Quercus pubescens and Fagus sylvatica - Abies alba), and to assess how climate may affect the patterns. We used tree ring data from forest plots distributed along a latitudinal gradient across French Alps. We found that diversity effect on stability in productivity varies with stand composition. Most beech–fir stands showed a greater stability in productivity over time than monocultures, while beech–oak stands showed a less stable productivity. Considering non-additive effects, no significant trends were found, regardless the type of mixed stands considered. We further highlighted that these patterns could be partially explained by asynchrony between species responses to annual climatic conditions (notably to variation in temperature or precipitation), overyielding, and climatic conditions. We also showed that the intensity of the diversity effect on stability varies along the ecological gradient, consistently with the stress gradient hypothesis for beech-oak forests, but not for beech-fir forests. This study showed the importance of the species identity on the relationships between diversity, climate and stability of forest productivity. Better depicting diversity and composition effects on forest ecosystem functioning appears to be crucial for forest managers to promote forest adaptation and maintain timber resource in the context of on-going climate change.

scholarly journals The mass balance of a cirque glacier in the Italian Alps (Ghiacciaio Della Sforzellina, Ortles–Cevedale Group)

1993 ◽  
Vol 39 (131) ◽  
pp. 87-90
Author(s):  
G. Catasta ◽  
C. Smiraglia
Keyword(s):  
Mass Balance ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Mass Balances ◽  
Italian Alps ◽  
Variation Data ◽  
Using Data

AbstractThe net mass balance (1986/87–1989/90) was calculated for a small cirque glacier in the Italian Alps (Ghiacciaio della Sforzellina, 0.42 k m2, Ortles–Cevedale Group). Four annual mass balances are presented here. All four balances were negative (mean value: –0.90 m year−1), with a maximum deficit of –1.16 m year−1 in 1989–90. The climatic conditions (which are analyzed using data from the S. Caterina Valfurva Station) consisted of a succession of cold, dry winters with little snowfall. Frontal-variation data available since 1925 show a constant retreat until 1966, followed by a brief advance period which has already terminated.

scholarly journals Climate change threatens archeologically significant ice patches: insights into their age, internal structure, mass balance and climate sensitivity

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rune Strand Ødegård ◽  
Atle Nesje ◽  
Ketil Isaksen ◽  
Liss Marie Andreassen ◽  
Trond Eiken ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Mass Balance ◽  
Winter Precipitation ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Snow Accumulation ◽  
Original Position ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Carbonaceous Aerosols ◽  
Storm Events ◽  
Melt Water

Abstract. Despite numerous spectacular archaeological discoveries worldwide related to melting ice patches and the emerging field of glacial archaeology, governing processes related to ice patch development during Holocene and their sensitivity to climate change are still largely unexplored. Here we present new results from an extensive 6-year (2009–2015) field experiment at Juvfonne ice patch in Jotunheimen in central southern Norway. Our results show that the ice patch existed continuously since the late Mesolithic period. Organic-rich layers and carbonaceous aerosols embedded in clear ice shows ages spanning from modern at the surface to ca. 6200 BCE at the bottom. This is the oldest dating of ice in mainland Norway. Moss mats appearing along the margin of Juvfonne in 2014 were covered by the expanding ice patch about 2000 years ago. During the study period the mass balance record shows a strong negative balance, and the net balance is highly asymmetric over short distances. Snow accumulation is poorly correlated with winter precipitation and single storm events may contribute significantly to the total winter balance. Snow accumulation is approx. 20 % higher in the frontal area compared to the upper central part of the ice patch. The thermal regime in Juvfonne is similar to what is found close to the equilibrium line of nearby glaciers. There is sufficient melt water to bring the permeable snowpack to an isothermal state within a few weeks in early summer. Below the seasonal snowpack ice temperatures are between −2 and −4 °C, similar to the surrounding permafrost terrain. Juvfonne has clear ice stratification of isochronic origin. The cumulative deformation of ice over millennia explain the observed curved layering in the basal parts of the ice patch, which makes it difficult to relate the present thickness to previous thickness of the ice patch. Ice deformation and surface processes (i.e. wind and melt water) may have caused significant displacement of artefacts from their original position. Thus the dating and position of artefacts cannot be used directly to reconstruct previous ice patch extent. In the perspective of surface energy and mass balance; ice patches are in the transition zone between permafrost terrain and glaciers. Future research will need to carefully address this interaction to build reliable models.

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