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The active layer |
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The active layer is a layer of soil that thaws each summer and refreezes in the winter. It is located above the permafrost layer and is where crops are grown.
The thickness of the active layer varies across permafrost-affected lands. When permafrost thaws, the thickness of the active layer increases. Clearing land or artificially heating soil by using season extenders like high tunnels can warm the ground enough to thaw permafrost. |
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Permafrost Grown is monitoring ground temperatures using sensors placed in undisturbed forests, cleared land, farm fields and under high tunnels to understand how different land uses may affect the active layer and permafrost.
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This graph shows 2024 soil temperature under different land use types at the UAF Experiment Farm and tells us some interesting information:
• The undisturbed forest soil is cooler than cleared and cultivated areas.
• Growing zucchini keeps the ground cooler than just bare soil.
• The high tunnel continues to keep soil warm in September, delaying the ground freezing.
• The undisturbed forest soil is cooler than cleared and cultivated areas.
• Growing zucchini keeps the ground cooler than just bare soil.
• The high tunnel continues to keep soil warm in September, delaying the ground freezing.
Research led by Melissa Ward Jones, research associate professor at the Institute of Northern Engineering and principal investigator of the Permafrost Grown Project.
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