Land Cover Disturbances and Feedbacks to the Climate System in Canada and Alaska

Abstract

In this chapter we present our current understanding of the dynamics and controls for important avenues of land cover change in the region including fire, insect disturbance, human land use, vegetation dynamics, and changes in the area of surface waters. We extend our discussion of controls to evaluate how land cover change might respond to possible future changes in the region. We then discuss the implications of future changes for major feedbacks to the climate system. Finally, we discuss the future challenges to understanding the patterns, controls, and consequences of land cover change in Canada and Alaska.