A biophysical permafrost zonation map in the Northern Hemisphere (2000-2016)

This biophysical permafrost zonation map was produced using a rule-based GIS model that integrated a new permafrost extent, climate conditions, vegetation structure, soil and topographic conditions, as well as a yedoma map. Different from the previous maps, permafrost in this map is classified into five types: climate-driven, climate-driven/ecosystem-modified, climate-driven/ecosystem protected, ecosystem-driven, and ecosystem-protected. Excluding glaciers and lakes, the areas of these five types in the Northern Hemisphere are 3.66×106 km2, 8.06×106 km2, 0.62×106 km2, 5.79×106 km2, and 1.63×106 km2, respectively. 81% of the permafrost regions in the Northern Hemisphere are modified, driven, or protected by ecosystems, indicating the dominant role of ecosystems in permafrost stability in the Northern Hemisphere. Permafrost driven solely by climate occupies 19% of permafrost regions, mainly in High Arctic and high mountains areas, such as the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

本生物地球物理永久冻土带区划图系采用基于规则的地理信息系统模型制作而成，该模型整合了新的永久冻土范围、气候条件、植被结构、土壤及地形条件，并融入了耶马永久冻土图。与以往地图不同，本图将永久冻土划分为五种类型：气候驱动型、气候驱动/生态系统调节型、气候驱动/生态系统保护型、生态系统驱动型和生态系统保护型。除去冰川和湖泊区域，这五种类型在北半球的面积分别为3.66×10^6 km²、8.06×10^6 km²、0.62×10^6 km²、5.79×10^6 km²和1.63×10^6 km²。北半球81%的永久冻土区域受到生态系统的影响、驱动或保护，彰显了生态系统在北半球永久冻土稳定性中的主导作用。仅由气候驱动的永久冻土占据永久冻土区域的19%，主要分布在北极和高海拔地区，如青藏高原等。