New Report Available
"Climate Change, Permafrost and Impacts on Civil Infrastructure"
U.S. Arctic Research Commission (USARC)
The report can be downloaded from:
http://www.arctic.gov
For further information, please contact:
Dr. Garrett Brass
USARC Executive Director
Arlington, Virginia Office
E-mail: g.brass [at] arctic.gov
Dr. Lawson Brigham
Co-chair, USARC Permafrost Task Force
Alaska USARC Office Director
Anchorage, Alaska Office
E-mail: usarc [at] acsalaska.net
Dr. Frederick Nelson
Co-chair, USARC Permafrost Task Force
Professor, Department of Geography
University of Delaware
E-mail: fnelson [at] udel.edu
BACKGROUND
To address U.S. and international permafrost research, the U.S. Arctic
Research Commission (USARC) in 2002 chartered a task force on climate
change, permafrost, and infrastructure impacts. The task force of
experts were asked to identify key issues and research needs to foster a
greater understanding of global change impacts on permafrost in the
Arctic and their linkages to natural and human systems. The findings of
the task force have been published in the report "Climate Change,
Permafrost and Impacts on Civil Infrastructure." The release of this
special report is the first stage of a long-term USARC effort to enhance
basic and applied permafrost research, and ensure permafrost studies,
where appropriate, are adequately addressed in all global carbon dioxide
and Arctic systems programs.
Permafrost, or perennially frozen ground, is a critical component of the
cryosphere and the Arctic system. It plays three important roles in the
context of climate change: it serves as a 'record keeper' by functioning
as a paleothermometer; it acts as a 'translator' of climatic change
through subsidence and other impacts; and, it acts as a 'facilitator' of
further change through its impact on the global carbon cycle.
Significantly, permafrost regions occupy approximately 24% of the
Northern Hemisphere's terrestrial surface. Also, the distribution of
subsea permafrost is believed to be extensive. The effects of climatic
warming on permafrost and the seasonally thawed layer above it (the
active layer) can severely disrupt ecosystems and human infrastructure.
The susceptibility of engineered works to thaw-induced damage is
particularly relevant to communities and structures throughout northern
Alaska, Russia, Canada, Greenland, Svalbard, and parts of northern
Europe. Further, it is clear from the long-term geological record in
these regions that climatic warming can lead to increases in permafrost
temperature, thickening of the active layer, and a reduction in the
percentage of the terrestrial surface underlain by near-surface
permafrost. Such changes can lead to extensive settlement of the ground
surface with attendant damage to infrastructure.
The report is divided into 4 chapters:
Chapter 1 - Permafrost and Its Role in the Arctic
Chapter 2 - Future Climate Change and Current Research Initiatives
Chapter 3 - Impacts on Infrastructure in Alaska and the Circumpolar North
Chapter 4 - Findings and Agency Recommendations
The task force makes specific recommendations to eight U.S. federal
agencies, the State of Alaska, and the U.S. National Research Council.
Most of these recommendations also have significant relevance for
international polar research. USARC recognizes the importance of
permafrost studies for international global carbon programs, and the
critical need for inclusion of permafrost research in programs of the
International Polar Year 2007-8.
The U.S. Arctic Research Commission welcomes comments on this report and
other Arctic research issues from the U.S. and international polar
community.
The report can be downloaded from:
http://www.arctic.gov
For further information, please contact:
Dr. Garrett Brass
USARC Executive Director
Arlington, Virginia Office
E-mail: g.brass [at] arctic.gov
Dr. Lawson Brigham
Co-chair, USARC Permafrost Task Force
Alaska USARC Office Director
Anchorage, Alaska Office
E-mail: usarc [at] acsalaska.net
Dr. Frederick Nelson
Co-chair, USARC Permafrost Task Force
Professor, Department of Geography
University of Delaware
E-mail: fnelson [at] udel.edu