The pan-Arctic terrestrial hydrology and ecosystems have been experiencing dramatic changes due to rapid permafrost thaw, affecting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions which in turn feedback to the atmosphere and accelerate climate warming. Recent studies have revealed complex linkages between soil thermal-hydrological processes and GHG emissions over thermokarst landscapes. Specifically, abrupt permafrost thaw has caused large carbon emissions. Thermokarst development further alters local- to large-scale hydrologic patterns and impacts the biogeochemical processes responsible for GHG emissions. Monitoring and modeling thermokarst development and associated hydro-ecological and biogeochemical responses (e.g., changes in thermokarst lakes and wetlands, polygonal inundations, etc.) are urgently needed for understanding permafrost carbon-climate feedback.

This session solicits contributions discussing how permafrost thermokarst dynamics impact pan-Arctic terrestrial hydrology and ecosystem responses currently and in the future. Studies taking advantage of multiple data and approaches (e.g., in-situ, remote-sensing, and modeling) to map, characterize, model, and predict thermokarst landscape dynamics are particularly welcomed.