A Database Synthesizing Published Data on Thermokarst and Thermal Erosion Processes

摘要

Thermokarst and thermal erosion are major processes of ice-rich permafrost degradation with widespread occurrence in northern high latitude permafrost zones. It is important to understand the vulnerability of permafrost to such processes in a warming Arctic [Jorgenson et al., 2010]. Contrary to gradual and relatively slow top-down thawing of permafrost, these processes can tap into deep permafrost-stored carbon pools and may result in the rapid release of organic carbon in gaseous, particulate, and dissolved states. These processes, triggered by natural or anthropogenic disturbances [Grosse et al., 2011], are highly variable in space and time and depend on local permafrost, hydrology, geomorphology, vegetation, climate, and geology. Though often small in spatial scale, they are widespread in many permafrost landscapes and can be very dynamic on time-scales ranging from weeks to decades. Currently no pan-Arctic database exists that synthesizes existing data on process rates, spatial dimensions, and spatial distribution of thermokarst and thermal erosion features. Detailed inventories of associated landforms only exist for local to regional scales resulting in difficulties to quantify their current impact on the permafrost-stored organic carbon pool.