Researchers and farmers working together to understand permafrost-agriculture interactions.
Why is studying permafrost-agriculture interactions important?
Time series of a hay field in Fairbanks, AK, showing signs of degradation of ice-rich permafrost including the development of ponds, as well as pit and mound topography. Imagery are Pictometry mosaic images provided by the Fairbanks North Star Borough GIS web Services.
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High-latitude regions, such as Alaska, are underlain by permafrost (ground material that remains at or below 0 °C or 32 °F for two or more consecutive years). Thawing permafrost resulting from changing climate or land use (such as land clearing for agriculture) creates cascading system responses that impact ecosystems, infrastructure, communities and industries. Responses of thawing permafrost include increases in ground temperatures and, where ground ice is present, ground subsidence (lowering of land surfaces) that can lead to field abandonment. |
Within agricultural systems, permafrost affects surface and groundwater flow, infrastructure, soil chemistry and plant physiology. High latitude agriculture must adopt techniques specifically adapted for permafrost-affected soils rather than simply transposing techniques developed from southern regions. Climate warming is introducing new agriculture opportunities, such as increased growing season length, but can also lead to increased rates of permafrost degradation.
The Permafrost Grown Project was developed to investigate the interactions and feedbacks within permafrost-agroecosystems. We define permafrost-agroecosystems as social-ecological systems that encompass both cultivation and animal husbandry practices on arable permafrost-affected soils. A better understanding of permafrost-agroecosystems will contribute to an adaptable, resilient and sustainable agricultural sector in Alaska and in other high latitude regions. To learn more about permafrost and agriculture in Alaska please see our respective background sections by clicking the buttons below or by accessing via the top menu.
About Permafrost Grown
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Permafrost Grown is a 3-million USD, 5-year project funded by the US National Science Foundation's Navigating the New Arctic Initiative. The project brings together a transdisciplinary research team from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and Alaskan Farmers to understand how the presence of and degradation of permafrost impacts agricultural infrastructure, and how the co-production of knowledge by academic institutions together with the Alaskan farming community can develop sustainable, adaptable, and resilient permafrost-agroecosystems. |
Glenna is meeting with farmer-collaborators to discuss research questions and field logistics.
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Permafrost Grown Team members Ben J., Misha and field assistant Lillian drilling to the top of permafrost in Bethel, AK.
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Permafrost Grown Project Goals and Objectives
The research conducted by the Permafrost Grown project will benefit from the ~120-year legacy of farming on permafrost in Alaska and the predicted intensification of high latitude agriculture in response to rapid and wide-scale climatic and socio-economic changes occurring. Permafrost Grown focuses on in-the-ground farming in a range of cultivation types including crops, peonies and livestock (see image examples below). The project uses a combination (please see the methods page for more information) of field data collection, a sensor network, remote sensing techniques, agricultural experiments, existing agriculture experience, interviews, and socio-economic risk modelling to address the following objectives:
1. Co-producing knowledge with farmers in Alaska to investigate the interactions and feedbacks within permafrost-agroecosystems.
2. Understand and quantify the legacy effects of permafrost-agroecosystem interactions over the last ~120 years.
3. Evaluate the socio-economic trade-offs and providing decision-making tools related to the intensification of permafrost-agroecosystems.
4. Utilize education and outreach activities to broaden public and farmer participation to advance knowledge and foster opportunities for improved food security in high latitude regions.
Permafrost Grown will enhance workforce development and education of permafrost-agroecosystems by developing field guides with management strategies for farmers. The knowledge gaps filled by the project will help improve economic resiliency and food security in high latitude regions.
1. Co-producing knowledge with farmers in Alaska to investigate the interactions and feedbacks within permafrost-agroecosystems.
2. Understand and quantify the legacy effects of permafrost-agroecosystem interactions over the last ~120 years.
3. Evaluate the socio-economic trade-offs and providing decision-making tools related to the intensification of permafrost-agroecosystems.
4. Utilize education and outreach activities to broaden public and farmer participation to advance knowledge and foster opportunities for improved food security in high latitude regions.
Permafrost Grown will enhance workforce development and education of permafrost-agroecosystems by developing field guides with management strategies for farmers. The knowledge gaps filled by the project will help improve economic resiliency and food security in high latitude regions.
Carrots crop.
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Peony flowers.
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Cows.
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The funding for this project is from the US National Science Foundation’s Navigating the New Arctic initiative under RISE award 2126965. |
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This project is led by researchers at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. UA is an AA/EO employer and educational institution and prohibits illegal discrimination against any individual: www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination. |