Permafrost Changes and Eco-Hydrological Effects

Dear Colleagues,

As a significant part of the terrestrial ecosystem, permafrost is not only widely distributed across the globe but is also sensitive to climate change. It underlies approximately one-quarter of the land area in the Northern Hemisphere, which mainly comprises circum-Arctic and alpine regions. This area is also rich in microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, archaea and viruses), organic matter and solid water resources. In the last several decades, however, global warming has led to extensive permafrost changes, including a rising ground temperature, thawing permafrost layer, increasing thickness of the active layer, decreasing permafrost area and more frequent freeze-thaw cycles in near-surface soil. These changes in permafrost significantly influence vegetation structure and productivity, soil microbial diversity, hydrothermal processes, carbon storage, engineering infrastructures, etc. Furthermore, they profoundly impact the functioning of the permafrost ecosystem, socio-economic status, the living environment of human beings and sustainable development.

Numerous studies have confirmed the phenomena of permafrost thawing and degradation, intensification of freeze-thaw erosion and their significant impacts on hydrothermal and ecological processes, biodiversity and biogeochemical cycles under the influence of global warming. However, knowledge about these processes’ spatiotemporal resolutions and extent is still inadequate, and the coupling mechanisms are not well-understood.

This Special Issue aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of the processes and mechanisms of permafrost changes (e.g., permafrost thawing and degradation and the increase in freeze-thaw cycle frequency in the active layer) in relation to biodiversity, ecology and hydrology; evaluate the spatiotemporal patterns of permafrost ecosystem activities; and assess potential biological security risk, eco-environmental health and sustainability under global warming.

To achieve this aim, this Special Issue invites the submission of original research papers, reviews, methods papers, opinions, etc. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Interactions among snow, vegetation and permafrost under climate warming;
• Soil hydrothermal coupling of permafrost changes;
• Synergistic relationship between permafrost changes and water resources;
• Spatiotemporal dynamics of freeze-thaw cycles and the impacts on soil ecology and greenhouse gas emissions;
• Microbial mechanisms of soil carbon loss under permafrost thawing;
• Distribution patterns and main driving factors of microbial biogeography in permafrost;
• Pathogenic microbes and potential pathogens of permafrost;
• The multiple functions of the permafrost ecosystem;
• Security risk of engineering infrastructures;
• Eco-environmental vulnerability and health of permafrost.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Shengyun Chen
Prof. Dr. Shuping Zhang
Guest Editors

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• permafrost thawing
• active layer thickness
• freeze-thaw cycles
• alpine vegetation
• hydrothermal pattern
• water resources
• permafrost microbes
• permafrost function and service
• engineering infrastructures