Climate warming is rapid in the Arctic, yet impacts to biological systems are unclear because few long-term studies linking biophysiological processes with environmental conditions exist for this data-poor region. In our study spanning 25 years in the Alaskan Arctic, we demonstrate that climate change is affecting the timing of freeze-thaw cycles in the active layer of permafrost soils and altering the physiology of arctic ground squirrels ( Urocitellus parryii ). Soil freeze has been delayed and, in response, arctic ground squirrels have delayed when they up-regulate heat production during torpor to prevent freezing. Further, the termination of hibernation in spring has advanced 4 days per decade in females but not males. Continued warming and phenological shifts will alter hibernation energetics, change the seasonal availability of this important prey species, and potentially disrupt intraspecific interactions.

中文翻译：

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气候变化正在改变北极冬眠动物的生理和物候

北极的气候变暖速度很快，但对生物系统的影响尚不清楚，因为在这个数据匮乏的地区，很少有将生物生理过程与环境条件联系起来的长期研究。在我们对阿拉斯加北极地区 25 年的研究中，我们证明气候变化正在影响永久冻土活跃层冻融循环的时间，并改变北极地松鼠的生理机能（小袋鼠). 土壤冻结已经延迟，作为回应，北极地松鼠在麻木期间上调热量产生以防止冻结时延迟了。此外，春季冬眠的终止在雌性中每十年提前 4 天，但在雄性中则不然。持续变暖和物候变化将改变冬眠能量学，改变这一重要猎物物种的季节性可用性，并可能破坏种内相互作用。