The boreal forest biome plays a crucial role in climate feedback mechanisms, particularly through its interaction with permafrost. Boreal forests influence permafrost insulation, and changes in forest cover can impact carbon sequestration, albedo, and ground temperatures. This research aims to quantify the capacity of boreal forests to protect permafrost under climate change combining numerical modeling, observational data, and optical remote sensing.

Highlights

• Forest-Permafrost Interaction: Boreal forests act as an insulating buffer, regulating permafrost conditions and climate feedbacks.

• Climate Change Effects: Warming may lead to denser forests with increased carbon sequestration but also altered permafrost stability.

• Threshold of Insulation: Beyond a warming or drying threshold, increased forest loss may trigger deeper active layers, thermokarst formation, and widespread ecosystem changes.

Funding

German Research Foundation (DFG), Walter Benjamin Position, Project number 525003358

Project members

S.M. Stuenzi (Principal investigator)
Patrick Hostert (Host)