Permafrost Dynamics and Impacts on the hydrology, Geomorphology, Ecosystem, and Infrastructure Based on Modeling, Observations, and Remote Sensing Products

Dear Colleagues,

Permafrost, a key component of the cryosphere, occupies approximately 24% of the land surface of the Northern Hemisphere. Due to the rapidly changing climate and increasing anthropogenic activities, permafrost is warming and thawing globally, which increases the active layer depths and may trigger talik initiation, formation, and expansion. These processes substantially alter the magnitudes, rates, and patterns of the transport of water, energy, gases, and solutes in the subsurface domain. Additionally, permafrost degradation, particularly in ice-rich and warm permafrost regions, can result in infrastructure damages, landslides, thermokarst lake and pond dynamics, thaw slumps, groundwater–surface water interaction, etc. Furthermore, permafrost thaw influences vegetation species composition due to the changes in soil nutrients, soil porosity, water content, groundwater discharge, solute and gas exports, and microbial communities. Therefore, it is imperative to investigate and quantify the impacts of permafrost degradation on geomorphological, ecological, and hydrological processes.

The objective of this Topic is to gather and analyze cutting-edge research on the dynamics of permafrost and its effects on the geomorphological, ecological, and hydrological processes in a changing climate. The Topic aims to showcase the latest research in remote sensing applied to permafrost studies. We encourage submissions that utilize a wide range of remote sensing techniques. Additionally, we are interested in studies that integrate remote sensing data with other types of data, such as ground observations, laboratory measurements, and numerical models. The use of machine learning and other data-driven approaches to analyze remote sensing data is also of interest. In summary, this Topic seeks to highlight the critical role of remote sensing in permafrost research and its potential to contribute to a better understanding of the impacts of permafrost degradation on the environment. We welcome contributions from researchers working on a wide range of topics related to permafrost, from fundamental research on permafrost processes to applied studies on the impacts of permafrost degradation on infrastructure, ecosystems, and human societies.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Remote sensing of permafrost dynamics;
• Remote sensing of land surface change in cold regions;
• Permafrost mapping and modeling;
• Remote sensing of permafrost-related hazards;
• Land–atmosphere interactions;
• Geomorphological and hydrological impacts of permafrost degradation;
• Permafrost hazard assessment and management;
• Vulnerability of cold-region infrastructure to permafrost degradation;

Dr. Lin Chen
Dr. Xiaolang Zhang
Dr. Wenbing Yu
Dr. Xianwei Wang
Topic Editors