Research Article

Thawing permafrost and thicker active layers in sub-arctic Sweden

  1. H. Jonas Åkerman1,
  2. Margareta Johansson1,2,*

Article first published online: 31 JUL 2008

DOI: 10.1002/ppp.626

Issue

Permafrost and Periglacial Processes

Permafrost and Periglacial Processes

Volume 19, Issue 3, pages 279–292, July/September 2008

Additional Information

How to Cite

Åkerman, H. J. and Johansson, M. (2008), Thawing permafrost and thicker active layers in sub-arctic Sweden. Permafrost and Periglacial Processes, 19: 279–292. doi: 10.1002/ppp.626

Author Information

  1. 1

    GeoBiosphere Science Centre, Department of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Analyses, Lund University, Sweden

  2. 2

    Abisko Scientific Research Station, Abisko, Sweden

*Department of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Analyses, Lund University, Sölvegatan 12, 223 62 Lund, Sweden.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 14 AUG 2008
  2. Article first published online: 31 JUL 2008
  3. Manuscript Revised: 19 JUN 2008
  4. Manuscript Accepted: 19 JUN 2008
  5. Manuscript Received: 8 JAN 2008

Funded by

  • EU financed project ALARM (Assessing Large Scale Environmental Risks for Biodiversity with Tested Methods). Grant Number: GOCE-CT-2003-506675
  • Royal Physiographic Society, Lund

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Keywords:

  • active-layer thickness;
  • thawing permafrost;
  • Abisko;
  • subarctic Sweden

Abstract

Observations of active-layer thickness from nine sites with up to 29 years of gridded measurements located in the Torneträsk region, northernmost Sweden, were examined in relation to climatic trends. Mean annual air temperatures in this area have warmed and recently rose above 0°C. Active layers at all sites have become thicker, at rates ranging from 0.7 to 1.3 cm per year. This trend has accelerated in the past decade, especially in the westernmost site where rates have reached 2 cm per year and permafrost has disappeared at 81 per cent of the sampling points. Increased active-layer thicknesses are correlated with increases in mean summer air temperature, thawing degree-days and, in five of the nine sites, with increases in snow depth. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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