Dynamics of Palsa Mires of the Kola Peninsula as a Marker of Climate Change in the Arctic

Abstract

New approaches to studying and monitoring of on palsa mires the Kola Peninsula are considered. Because of the observed signs of permafrost degradation in frost heave mounds (palsa), such objects can serve as markers of significant climate anomalies and shifts taking place in the Arctic zone. The analysis of the occurrence of palsa mires on the Kola Peninsula showed the existence of four separate morphometric and climatic clusters. The obtained results demonstrated the potential of a set of methods for determining the dynamics of permafrost in the palsa and for monitoring the related transformation of the mire ecosystem.