Long-term Permafrost Monitoring Network

(PermaNET)

Background

Permafrost is very sensitive to climate change and the risks associated with its degradation affect traffic routes, settlements and infrastructure. Data on the distribution of permafrost are inconsistent and there is no common strategy to tackle this problem. Local administrators should have the means to manage the risks associated with the degradation of the permafrost.

Purpose

The objective is to make an important contribution to the mitigation of natural hazards that result from climate change impacts on alpine permafrost through the creation of  a wide monitoring network and by developing a common strategy. The project contributes to sustainable development and the implementation of good governance practices.

Methods

  • creation of an alpine-wide monitoring network;
  • developing of a common strategy for dealing with permafrost related hazards;
  • production of a continuous permafrost map and database for the entire Alpine Space
  • testing of new technologies and exploration of joint solutions for the adaptation of risk management practices

Results

The PermaNET project provided the bases for the establishment of a transnational permafrost monitoring network in the Alps. The main outputs of the project are:

  • the Alpine Space permafrost monitoring network and related handbooks,
  • the inventory of permafrost evidence,
  • the map of permafrost distribution in the Alps,
  • guidelines for the consideration of permafrost in risk management.

Products

  • Alpine Space permafrost monitoring network
  • Permafrost distribution in the Alps
  • Permafrost and related natural hazards
  • Permafrost and climate change
  • Permafrost and water resources management
  • Educational toolkit

Conclusions

The project provided the bases for the establishment of a transnational permafrost monitoring network in the Alps. The next step is to define a way to coordinate the transnational permafrost monitoring network, to compile and analyse permafrost monitoring data to a periodic report of the thermal state of permafrost in the European Alps.