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What is the effect of permafrost thaw on global warming?
Permafrost stores large amounts of carbon in the form of organic material, such as plant and animal remains. The frost prevents this material from decomposing because microbial decomposition is inhibited.
But as the climate warms, more permafrost thaws both deeper into the surface and for longer periods of time allowing microorganisms to process the carbonaceous material. They decompose it, releasing methane and carbon dioxide. These greenhouse gases, in turn, contribute to global warming, intensifying the thaw – a compounding process.
How do I recognize permafrost?
Permafrost can only be seen indirectly on the land surface. However, it leaves typical traces in the form of so-called ice-wedge polygons. These polygons are visible via aerial imagery such as by drones.
Ice-wedge polygons are formed by the alternating freezing and thawing of the ground. During very cold temperatures in winter, the ground contracts, creating small cracks. This is where the meltwater from the snow collects in the spring. This freezing cycle repeats itself again and again. This is how large ice-wedge networks form in the subsurface. They are thus an indicator of permafrost. This is why ice-wedge polygon mapping is so important to find out where permafrost is located.
Where do we find permafrost?
About 15% of the land area in the northern hemisphere is covered by permafrost, mostly in the Arctic.
The yellow arrow points to the Canadian town of Aklavik. This location plays an important role for our project because we are taking drone images here in cooperation with the local Moose Kerr School.
Drone imagery allows us to monitor permafrost changes throughout the Arctic. These images are now being analyzed by citizen scientists like you.
Here is how it works
Permafrost shows up in intricate and varied polygon patterns. They are so complex that drone images cannot be analyzed directly in an automated way. You map some images with other volunteers and help an artificial intelligence to better classify the patterns. In this way, you conduct research together as a team and make an important contribution to permafrost research.
The data collected is important for research into the consequences of climate change in the Arctic. They can be used to improve and verify models. In addition, the data will help the resident population better assess future environmental risks
You can see what a mapped drone image might look like below.
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The UndercoverEisAgenten app
Want to detect permafrost yourself now? Create a mapping account and select a project.
