The influence of boreal forest dynamics on the current state of permafrost in Central Yakutia

Abstract

Boreal forests exert a strong influence on the permafrost dynamics protecting the landscapes under climate warming conditions. This paper discusses the influence of various vegetation types on permafrost temperature and active layer thickness, as well as changes in these parameters through successional stages of forest vegetation in Central Yakutia. Data from monitoring sites were used to examine the variability of permafrost conditions in different landscape types. Forest removal leads, on average, to an increase in ground temperature by 1°С and an increase in active layer thickness by 0.8–1 m, which may cause the melting of ground ice and surface subsidence. The recovery of the forest reduces the ground temperature and decreases the active layer thickness that's stabilizes the permafrost.