Abstract
The purpose of this article was to compile four separate digital thematic maps of temperature and ice content of permafrost, the active layer thickness, and cryogenic processes in Yakutia as a basis for assessing changes to modern climate changes and anthropogenic disturbances. In this work, materials on permafrost were used, serving as the basis for compiling a permafrost landscape map of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). The maps were compiled using ArcGIS software, which supports attribute table mapping. The ground temperature and active layer thickness maps reflected landscape zonality and regional differences. Peculiarities of genetic types of Quaternary deposits and climatic conditions reflected the ice content of surface sediments and cryogenic process distribution maps. One of the most common is ground temperatures from −2.1 to −4.0 °C, which were found to occupy about 37.4% of the territory of Yakutia. More than half of the region was found to be occupied by permafrost landscapes with a limited thickness of the active layer up to 1.1 m. Ice-rich permafrost (more than 0.4 in ice content) was found to be typical for about 40% of the territory. Thermokarst is the most hazardous process that occurs in half of Yakutia.
Highlights
Permafrost landscapes are highly vulnerable to anthropogenic impacts and climate change due to ice in their substrate [1,2,3]
Ground temperature is a crucial variable for characterizing permafrost landscape current state and its dynamics and evolution
Increases in ground temperature can trigger or intensify cryogenic processes that strongly affect the stability of landscapes
Summary
Permafrost landscapes are highly vulnerable to anthropogenic impacts and climate change due to ice in their substrate [1,2,3]. A significant warming trend is observed in the arctic and subarctic regions, with risks of degradation of permafrost [5,6,7]. The concurrent impact of anthropogenic and climatic factors is most evident here, where the degradation of permafrost landscapes can bring severe societal and economic consequences [8,9,10]. Permafrost changes will directly impact resource exploration and extraction projects concentrated in the northern regions [11,12]. Mapping of permafrost landscapes is essential to identify risk areas with permafrost degradation is necessary [13,14,15,16]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call