Department of Biogeochemical Signals, Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, 07745 Jena, Germany
Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research (INAR), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
Jorien Elisabeth Vonk
Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, 1081 HV, the Netherlands
Nikita Zimov
North-East Science Station, Pacific Institute of Geography, Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences,678830 Chersky, Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), Russia
Water status is an important control factor on sustainability of Arctic permafrost soils, including production and transport of carbon. We compared a drained permafrost ecosystem with a natural control area, investigating water levels, thaw depths, and lateral water flows. We found that shifts in water levels following drainage affected soil water availability and that lateral transport patterns were of major relevance. Understanding these shifts is crucial for future carbon budget studies.
Water status is an important control factor on sustainability of Arctic permafrost soils,...