Siberian CO2 efflux in winter as a CO2 source and cause of seasonality in atmospheric CO2

Over three years, we found a consistent CO₂ efflux from forest tundra of the Russian North throughout the year, including a large (89 g C m^–2 yr^–1) efflux during winter. Our results provide one explanation for the observations that the highest atmospheric CO₂ concentration and greatest seasonal amplitude occur at high latitudes rather than over the mid-latitudes, where fossil fuel sources are large, and where high summer productivity offset by winter respiration should give large seasonal oscillations in atmospheric CO₂. Winter respiration probably contributed substantially to the boreal winter CO₂ efflux. Respiration is an exothermic process that produces enough heat to warm soils and promote further decomposition. We suggest that, as a result of this positive feedback, small changes in surface heat flux, associated with human activities in the North or with regional or global warming, could release large quantities of organic carbon that are presently stored in permafrost.