Reviews and syntheses: Effects of permafrost thaw on Arctic aquatic ecosystems
Utrecht University · University of Alberta · +17 more institutions
Abstract
Abstract. The Arctic is a water-rich region, with freshwater systems covering about 16 % of the northern permafrost landscape. Permafrost thaw creates new freshwater ecosystems, while at the same time modifying the existing lakes, streams, and rivers that are impacted by thaw. Here, we describe the current state of knowledge regarding how permafrost thaw affects lentic (still) and lotic (moving) systems, exploring the effects of both thermokarst (thawing and collapse of ice-rich permafrost) and deepening of the active layer (the surface soil layer that thaws and refreezes each year). Within thermokarst, we further differentiate between the effects of thermokarst in lowland areas vs. that on hillslopes. For…
Citation impact
- FWCI
- 23.71
- Percentile
- 100%
- References
- 320
Authors
19- JEJorien E. VonkCorresponding
Utrecht University
- SESuzanne E. TankCorresponding
University of Alberta
- WBWilliam B. BowdenCorresponding
University of Vermont
- ILIsabelle LaurionCorresponding
Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, Center for Northern Studies
- WFWarwick F. VincentCorresponding
Center for Northern Studies, Université Laval
Topics & keywords
- Thermokarst
- Permafrost
- Environmental science
- Ecosystem
- Arctic
- Active layer
- Aquatic ecosystem
- Hydrology (agriculture)
Funding
- NSNational Science FoundationAwards: 1026843, 1023270, OPP-1107892, 1304823, 1107892, 0806394, OPP-1023270, CAREER, ARC-1304823
- HYHelsingin Yliopisto
- ULUniversité Laval
- AArcticNet
- UOUniversity of Alberta
- SRSight Research UKAwards: NE/K000217/2, NE/K000217/1
- AIAlberta Innovates
- IAInternational Arctic Science Committee
- NSNatural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
- NENatural Environment Research CouncilAwards: NE/K000217/1, NE/K000217/2
- FDFonds de recherche du Québec – Nature et technologies