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Permafrost is a thermal condition -- its formation, persistence and
disappearance are highly dependent on climate. General circulation
models predict that, for a doubling of atmospheric concentrations
of carbon dioxide, mean annual air temperatures may rise up to
several degrees over much of the Arctic. In the discontinuous
permafrost region, where ground temperatures are within 1-2 degrees
of thawing, permafrost will likely ultimately disappear as a result
of ground thermal changes associated with global climate warming.
Where ground ice contents are high, permafrost degradation will
have associated physical impacts. Permafrost thaw stands to have
wide-ranging impacts, such as the draining and drying of the
tundra, erosion of riverbanks and coastline, and destabilization of
infrastructure (roads, airports, buildings, etc.), and including
potential implications for ecosystems and the carbon cycle in the
high latitudes.
"Opportunities to Use Remote Sensing in Understanding Permafrost
and Related Ecological Characteristics" is the summary of a
workshop convened by the National Research Council to explore
opportunities for using remote sensing to advance our understanding
of permafrost status and trends and the impacts of permafrost
change, especially on ecosystems and the carbon cycle in the high
latitudes. The workshop brought together experts from the remote
sensing community with permafrost and ecosystem scientists. The
workshop discussions articulated gaps in current understanding and
potential opportunities to harness remote sensing techniques to
better understand permafrost, permafrost change, and implications
for ecosystems in permafrost areas. This report addresses questions
such as how remote sensing might be used in innovative ways, how it
might enhance our ability to document long-term trends, and whether
it is possible to integrate remote sensing products with the
ground-based observations and assimilate them into advanced Arctic
system models. Additionally, the report considers the expectations
of the quality and spatial and temporal resolution possible through
such approaches, and the prototype sensors that are available that
could be used for detailed ground calibration of permafrost/high
latitude carbon cycle studies.
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