Thermal impacts of engineering activities and vegetation layer on permafrost
in different alpine ecosystems of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, China

Wu, Qingbai; Zhang, Zhongqiong; Gao, Siru; Ma, Wei

doi:10.5194/tc-10-1695-2016

Cited by 54 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…Since the MAGT of permafrost could be considered as stable values during short period (2011 to 2013) (Smith et al, ), our present work uses the observed MAGT from 2011 to 2013 for validation work. Six of the ALT observation data sites (KHW, BLR1, CLP1, FHS1, ZLH2, and CLP2), which were used to validate the simulated results, were derived from Luo, Jin, He, et al () and Q. Wu et al ().…”

Section: Methods and Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

Numerical Modeling of the Active Layer Thickness and Permafrost Thermal State Across Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau

et al. 2017

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The dynamics of permafrost (including the permafrost thermal state and active layer thicknesses (ALT)) across the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau (QTP) have not been well understood on a large scale. Here we simulate the ALT and permafrost thermal state using the Geophysical Institute Permafrost Lab version 2 (GIPL2) model across the QTP. Based on the single‐point simulations, the model is upscaled to the entire QTP. The upscaled model is validated with five investigated regions (IRs), including Wenquan (WQIR), Gaize (GZIR), Aerjin (AEJIR), Xikunlun (XKLIR), and Qinghai‐Tibetan Highway (G109IR). The results show that the modified GIPL2 model improves the accuracy of the permafrost thermal state simulations. Due to our simulated results on the QTP, the average ALT is of 2.30 m (2.21–2.40 m). The ALT decreases with an increase in the altitude and decreases from the southeast to the northwest. The ALT is thin in the central QTP, but it is thick in the high‐elevation mountain areas and some areas surrounding glaciers and lakes. The largest ALT is found in the border areas between permafrost and seasonally frozen ground regions. The simulated results of the MAGT (the mean annual ground temperature) indicate that most of the permafrost is substable, which is sensitive to climate warming. The simulated results would be of great significance on assessing the impacts of permafrost dynamics on local hydrology, ecology, and engineering construction.

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Section: Methods and Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

Numerical Modeling of the Active Layer Thickness and Permafrost Thermal State Across Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau

et al. 2017

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“…However, at the one-kilometer distance, lateral heat flux may slightly affect soil thermal state because the number of sharp mountain slopes and open water areas in one grid cell is limited in our study. Climate change and human disturbances have significant impacts on vegetation conditions and permafrost thermal regimes through their effects on energy exchanges between the land surface and the atmosphere [44]. However, the application of a high-complexity model is still a challenge due to large computational resource requirement [45] and poor knowledge of the spatial model parameter sets [46].…”

Section: Uncertainties Related To Model Forcing and Thermal Propertiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Numerical Mapping and Modeling Permafrost Thermal Dynamics across the Qinghai-Tibet Engineering Corridor, China Integrated with Remote Sensing

et al. 2018

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Permafrost thermal conditions across the Qinghai–Tibet Engineering Corridor (QTEC) is of growing interest due to infrastructure development. Most modeling of the permafrost thermal regime has been conducted at coarser spatial resolution, which is not suitable for engineering construction in a warming climate. Here we model the spatial permafrost thermal dynamics across the QTEC from the 2010 to the 2060 using the ground thermal model. Soil properties are defined based on field measurements and ecosystem types. The climate forcing datasets are synthesized from MODIS-LST products and the reanalysis product of near-surface air temperature. The climate projections are based on long-term observations of air temperature across the QTEC. The comparison of model results to field measurements demonstrates a satisfactory agreement for the purpose of permafrost thermal modeling. The results indicate a discontinuous permafrost distribution in the QTEC. Mean annual ground temperatures (MAGT) are lowest (<−2.0 °C) for the high mountains. In most upland plains, MAGTs range from −2.0 °C to 0 °C. For high mountains, the average active-layer thickness (ALT) is less than 2.0 m, while the river valley features ALT of more than 4.0 m. For upland plains, the modeled ALTs generally range from 3.0 m to 4.0 m. The simulated results for the future 50 years suggest that 12.0%~20.2% of the permafrost region will be involved in degradation, with an MAGT increase of 0.4 °C~2.3 °C, and the ALT increasing by 0.4 m~7.3 m. The results of this study are useful for the infrastructure development, although there are still several improvements in detailed forcing datasets and a locally realistic model.

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“…Permafrost, defined as ground that remains below 0°C for at least two consecutive years, is a product of cold climates (Osterkamp & Romanovsky, ). Permafrost is considered as one of the major components of the cryosphere due to its wide extent (T. Zhang et al, ) and strong influence on the environment, such as surface energy balance (Boike et al, ; D. Guo et al, ; Ling & Zhang, ; Westermann et al, ), hydrological processes (Karlsson et al, ; Ling et al, ; Walvoord & Kurylyk, ), biogeochemical processes (Mu et al, ; Schuur et al, ), and engineering activities (Gruber & Haeberli, ; Q. Wu et al, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thermal Characteristics and Recent Changes of Permafrost in the Upper Reaches of the Heihe River Basin, Western China

et al. 2018

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To investigate the thermal characteristics and dynamics of permafrost as well as seasonally frozen ground over the upper reaches of the Heihe River Basin (URHR), an observation network with 14 boreholes was established during 2011-2014. The in situ measurements indicated mean annual air temperature that ranged from −5.2 to −2.3 ∘ C at the monitored elevation range of ∼3,600-4,150 m, and mean annual ground surface temperature that ranged from −1.3 to 1.7 ∘ C during 2013-2017. The mean annual ground temperature at 16-to 18-m depth ranged from −1.71 ∘ C on the high (>4,000 m above sea level) north facing slope to about 0-C around areas near the lower limit of permafrost. Active layer thickness at the monitored sites varied significantly with the range of 0.77-4.90 m during 2011-2017, and maximum frozen depth in seasonally frozen ground was about 5 m. Permafrost thickness was between ∼136 m and less than 10 m. Both permafrost and seasonally frozen ground were found to be subject to serious warming during the measured period in the URHR. This study provides new quantitative insights for permafrost and seasonally frozen ground in the URHR.

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Thermal impacts of engineering activities and vegetation layer on permafrost in different alpine ecosystems of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, China

Cited by 54 publications

References 45 publications

Numerical Modeling of the Active Layer Thickness and Permafrost Thermal State Across Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau

Numerical Modeling of the Active Layer Thickness and Permafrost Thermal State Across Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau

Numerical Mapping and Modeling Permafrost Thermal Dynamics across the Qinghai-Tibet Engineering Corridor, China Integrated with Remote Sensing

Thermal Characteristics and Recent Changes of Permafrost in the Upper Reaches of the Heihe River Basin, Western China

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