A new atlas of all the world's soils north of 50°N will map, for the first time, the area where half the world's soil carbon is stored and which scientists are watching closely to see if global warming will release it into the atmosphere.
The Soil Atlas of the Northern Circumpolar Region is the result of a three-year collaborative project by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre and scientists from northern EU countries, Norway, Iceland, Greenland, Canada, the USA and Russia.
It was launched at the European Parliament by research, science and innovation commissioner Máire Geoghegan-Quinn.
"This Atlas is a unique source of information for researchers, policy makers, teachers and the general public on the characteristics of northern soil and raises awareness of its environmental importance and global significance," she said.
"It shows the possible impacts of climate change on permafrost-affected soils and explains the critical role that they play in the global climate and carbon cycles."
While most people are aware of Arctic sea ice thinning, there is less awareness that rising temperatures in the Arctic and boreal regions is thawing permafrost and allowing a huge mass of poorly decomposed soil organic matter to biodegrade and release vast quantities of greenhouse gases.
Many scientists believe this 1,700bnt of organic carbon could provide a dangerous positive feedback for climate change.
The Atlas describes the origin and major characteristics of the various soil types and possible climate impacts on permafrost.
It uses the World Reference Base for Soil Resources as a framework and was undertaken under the auspices of the International Polar Year Programme.
It maps soil properties and distribution of major soil types by region and supporting texts cover the various types, the main soil forming processes, the importance of classification and the use of soil.
