Degradation and local growth of “Xing'an-Baikal” permafrost responding to climate warming and the consequences

Abstract

The “Xing'an-Baikal” permafrost is distributed in Eurasia's middle and high latitudes. It incorporates features observed in high-altitude and high-latitude permafrost, yet it possesses unique characteristics and is sensitive to climate and environmental changes. The characteristics of the “Xing'an-Baikal” permafrost are systematically summarized, including permafrost distribution, taliks, ground ice, active layer thickness, ground temperature, permafrost thickness, and both zonality and non-zonality patterns. Further, this study clarifies the changing characteristics of regional degradation and local growth of permafrost under climate warming and environmental changes. The significant changes occurring in the “Xing'an-Baikal” permafrost are assessed in terms of their important and ongoing impacts on regional water‑carbon cycles, ecological succession, landscapes and engineering in cold regions. The interchange between beneficial and adverse effects is revealed in the process of permafrost degradation. In the future, a comprehensive understanding of the degradation pattern of the “Xing'an-Baikal” permafrost necessitates strengthened regional surveys and long-term continuous monitoring. Model development should account for the unique characteristics of the “Xing'an-Baikal” permafrost and its environment changes, enhancing the accuracy of research on permafrost change and environmental evolution. Through the systematic and comprehensive elaboration of the mechanisms underlying synergistic permafrost-environment evolution, these efforts will provide a scientific basis for responding to climate warming and promoting sustainable regional development.