Rapid Transformation of Tundra Ecosystems From Ice-wedge Degradation

Authors
Mark Jorgenson
Mikhail Kanevskiy
Janet Jorgenson
Anna Liljedahl
Yuri Shur
Howard Epstein
Kelcy Kent
Claire Griffin
Ronald Daanen
Megan Boldenow
Kathleen Orndahl
Chandi Witharana
Benjamin Jones
Resource Date:
September
2022

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Ice wedges are a common form of massive ground ice that typically occupy 10–30% of the volume of upper permafrost in the Arctic and are particularly vulnerable to thawing from climate warming. In assessing the patterns and rates of ice-wedge degradation in northeastern Alaska, this study found degradation was widespread and rapidly transforming the microtopography, hydrology, soils, ground ice, and vegetation of tundra ecosystems through a sequence of degradation and stabilization stages.