Contrasting characteristics, changes, and linkages of permafrost between the Arctic and the Third Pole
(2022) In Earth-Science Reviews 230.- Abstract
Permafrost degradation poses serious threats to both natural and human systems through its influence on ecological–hydrological processes, infrastructure stability, and the climate system. The Arctic and the Third Pole (Tibetan Plateau, TP hereafter) are the two northern regions on Earth with the most extensive permafrost areas. However, there is a lack of systematic comparisons of permafrost characteristics and its climate and eco-environment between these two regions and their susceptibility to disturbances. This study provides a comprehensive review of the climate, ecosystem characteristics, ground temperature, permafrost extent, and active-layer thickness, as well as the past and future changes in permafrost in the Arctic and the... (More)
Permafrost degradation poses serious threats to both natural and human systems through its influence on ecological–hydrological processes, infrastructure stability, and the climate system. The Arctic and the Third Pole (Tibetan Plateau, TP hereafter) are the two northern regions on Earth with the most extensive permafrost areas. However, there is a lack of systematic comparisons of permafrost characteristics and its climate and eco-environment between these two regions and their susceptibility to disturbances. This study provides a comprehensive review of the climate, ecosystem characteristics, ground temperature, permafrost extent, and active-layer thickness, as well as the past and future changes in permafrost in the Arctic and the TP. The potential consequences associated with permafrost degradation are also examined. Lastly, possible connections between the two regions through land-ocean–atmosphere interactions are explored. Both regions have experienced dramatic warming in recent decades, characterized by Arctic amplification and elevation-dependent warming on the TP. Permafrost temperatures have increased more rapidly in the Arctic than on the TP, and will likely be reinforced under a future high emission scenario. Near-surface permafrost extents are projected to shrink in both regions in the coming decades, with a more dramatic decline in the TP. The active layer on the TP is thicker and has substantially deepened, and is projected to thicken more than in the Arctic. Widespread permafrost degradation increases geohazard risk and has already wielded considerable effects on the human and natural systems. Permafrost changes have also exerted a pronounced impact on the climate system through changes in permafrost carbon and land–atmosphere interactions. Future research should involve comparative studies of permafrost dynamics in both regions that integrate long-term observations, high-resolution satellite measurements, and advanced Earth System models, with emphasis on linkages between the two regions.
(Less)
- author
- organization
- publishing date
- 2022-07
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- Active-layer thickness, Arctic, Climate warming, Geohazard, Mean annual ground temperature, Permafrost degradation, Third Pole, Tibetan Plateau
- in
- Earth-Science Reviews
- volume
- 230
- article number
- 104042
- publisher
- Elsevier
- external identifiers
-
- scopus:85129931870
- ISSN
- 0012-8252
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.earscirev.2022.104042
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- additional info
- Publisher Copyright: © 2022 Elsevier B.V.
- id
- 785dbf0a-7f7e-4694-b984-af55e319d12e
- date added to LUP
- 2022-08-18 15:56:00
- date last changed
- 2023-05-10 14:18:32
@article{785dbf0a-7f7e-4694-b984-af55e319d12e,
abstract = {{<p>Permafrost degradation poses serious threats to both natural and human systems through its influence on ecological–hydrological processes, infrastructure stability, and the climate system. The Arctic and the Third Pole (Tibetan Plateau, TP hereafter) are the two northern regions on Earth with the most extensive permafrost areas. However, there is a lack of systematic comparisons of permafrost characteristics and its climate and eco-environment between these two regions and their susceptibility to disturbances. This study provides a comprehensive review of the climate, ecosystem characteristics, ground temperature, permafrost extent, and active-layer thickness, as well as the past and future changes in permafrost in the Arctic and the TP. The potential consequences associated with permafrost degradation are also examined. Lastly, possible connections between the two regions through land-ocean–atmosphere interactions are explored. Both regions have experienced dramatic warming in recent decades, characterized by Arctic amplification and elevation-dependent warming on the TP. Permafrost temperatures have increased more rapidly in the Arctic than on the TP, and will likely be reinforced under a future high emission scenario. Near-surface permafrost extents are projected to shrink in both regions in the coming decades, with a more dramatic decline in the TP. The active layer on the TP is thicker and has substantially deepened, and is projected to thicken more than in the Arctic. Widespread permafrost degradation increases geohazard risk and has already wielded considerable effects on the human and natural systems. Permafrost changes have also exerted a pronounced impact on the climate system through changes in permafrost carbon and land–atmosphere interactions. Future research should involve comparative studies of permafrost dynamics in both regions that integrate long-term observations, high-resolution satellite measurements, and advanced Earth System models, with emphasis on linkages between the two regions.</p>}},
author = {{Wang, Xuejia and Ran, Youhua and Pang, Guojin and Chen, Deliang and Su, Bo and Chen, Rui and Li, Xin and Chen, Hans W. and Yang, Meixue and Gou, Xiaohua and Jorgenson, M. Torre and Aalto, Juha and Li, Ren and Peng, Xiaoqing and Wu, Tonghua and Clow, Gary D. and Wan, Guoning and Wu, Xiaodong and Luo, Dongliang}},
issn = {{0012-8252}},
keywords = {{Active-layer thickness; Arctic; Climate warming; Geohazard; Mean annual ground temperature; Permafrost degradation; Third Pole; Tibetan Plateau}},
language = {{eng}},
publisher = {{Elsevier}},
series = {{Earth-Science Reviews}},
title = {{Contrasting characteristics, changes, and linkages of permafrost between the Arctic and the Third Pole}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2022.104042}},
doi = {{10.1016/j.earscirev.2022.104042}},
volume = {{230}},
year = {{2022}},
}