The Arctic LCC has partnered with USGS to complete a feasibility study that will review current and past efforts to monitor thermokarst at broad spatial and temporal scales, compare relevance, cost, and strengths/weaknesses of the various approaches and techniques. Researchers have outlined potential study designs for monitoring thermokarst events that emphasize processes affecting large areas, or with a disproportionately large impact on fish and wildlife habitat quality. Information available in the final report includes: 1) review existing thermokarst monitoring methods via a literature review, 2) provide a brief description and review of thermokarst landforms and processes associated with permafrost degradation typical of northern Alaska, 3) describe the landscape settings associated with each type, form, or process, 4) quantify the number of events per unit area per year over the last 60 yrs as well as the cumulative area and typical rates of change (where feasible) of such features in northern Alaska, 5) conduct a literature review to identify the ways in which fish, wildlife, and habitat resources may be impacted by thermokarst-affected landscapes, and 6) describe possible study designs (including novel approaches) and required sample sizes for a thermokarst monitoring program on the North Slope.
