Permafrost distribution in the European Alps: calculation and evaluation of an index map and summary statistics
The objective of this study is the production of an Alpine Permafrost Index Map (APIM) covering the entire European Alps. A unified statistical model that is based on Alpine-wide permafrost observations is used for debris and bedrock surfaces across the entire Alps. The explanatory variables of the...
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ftdoajarticles:oai:doaj.org/article:aaa59fd9f73a4dc0b203902f7d0082ce 2023-05-15T17:55:37+02:00 Permafrost distribution in the European Alps: calculation and evaluation of an index map and summary statistics L. Boeckli A. Brenning S. Gruber J. Noetzli 2012-07-01T00:00:00Z https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-6-807-2012 https://doaj.org/article/aaa59fd9f73a4dc0b203902f7d0082ce EN eng Copernicus Publications http://www.the-cryosphere.net/6/807/2012/tc-6-807-2012.pdf https://doaj.org/toc/1994-0416 https://doaj.org/toc/1994-0424 doi:10.5194/tc-6-807-2012 1994-0416 1994-0424 https://doaj.org/article/aaa59fd9f73a4dc0b203902f7d0082ce The Cryosphere, Vol 6, Iss 4, Pp 807-820 (2012) Environmental sciences GE1-350 Geology QE1-996.5 article 2012 ftdoajarticles https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-6-807-2012 2022-12-30T22:54:51Z The objective of this study is the production of an Alpine Permafrost Index Map (APIM) covering the entire European Alps. A unified statistical model that is based on Alpine-wide permafrost observations is used for debris and bedrock surfaces across the entire Alps. The explanatory variables of the model are mean annual air temperatures, potential incoming solar radiation and precipitation. Offset terms were applied to make model predictions for topographic and geomorphic conditions that differ from the terrain features used for model fitting. These offsets are based on literature review and involve some degree of subjective choice during model building. The assessment of the APIM is challenging because limited independent test data are available for comparison and these observations represent point information in a spatially highly variable topography. The APIM provides an index that describes the spatial distribution of permafrost and comes together with an interpretation key that helps to assess map uncertainties and to relate map contents to their actual expression in the terrain. The map can be used as a first resource to estimate permafrost conditions at any given location in the European Alps in a variety of contexts such as research and spatial planning. Results show that Switzerland likely is the country with the largest permafrost area in the Alps, followed by Italy, Austria, France and Germany. Slovenia and Liechtenstein may have marginal permafrost areas. In all countries the permafrost area is expected to be larger than the glacier-covered area. Article in Journal/Newspaper permafrost The Cryosphere Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles The Cryosphere 6 4 807 820 |
institution |
Open Polar |
collection |
Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles |
op_collection_id |
ftdoajarticles |
language |
English |
topic |
Environmental sciences GE1-350 Geology QE1-996.5 |
spellingShingle |
Environmental sciences GE1-350 Geology QE1-996.5 L. Boeckli A. Brenning S. Gruber J. Noetzli Permafrost distribution in the European Alps: calculation and evaluation of an index map and summary statistics |
topic_facet |
Environmental sciences GE1-350 Geology QE1-996.5 |
description |
The objective of this study is the production of an Alpine Permafrost Index Map (APIM) covering the entire European Alps. A unified statistical model that is based on Alpine-wide permafrost observations is used for debris and bedrock surfaces across the entire Alps. The explanatory variables of the model are mean annual air temperatures, potential incoming solar radiation and precipitation. Offset terms were applied to make model predictions for topographic and geomorphic conditions that differ from the terrain features used for model fitting. These offsets are based on literature review and involve some degree of subjective choice during model building. The assessment of the APIM is challenging because limited independent test data are available for comparison and these observations represent point information in a spatially highly variable topography. The APIM provides an index that describes the spatial distribution of permafrost and comes together with an interpretation key that helps to assess map uncertainties and to relate map contents to their actual expression in the terrain. The map can be used as a first resource to estimate permafrost conditions at any given location in the European Alps in a variety of contexts such as research and spatial planning. Results show that Switzerland likely is the country with the largest permafrost area in the Alps, followed by Italy, Austria, France and Germany. Slovenia and Liechtenstein may have marginal permafrost areas. In all countries the permafrost area is expected to be larger than the glacier-covered area. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
L. Boeckli A. Brenning S. Gruber J. Noetzli |
author_facet |
L. Boeckli A. Brenning S. Gruber J. Noetzli |
author_sort |
L. Boeckli |
title |
Permafrost distribution in the European Alps: calculation and evaluation of an index map and summary statistics |
title_short |
Permafrost distribution in the European Alps: calculation and evaluation of an index map and summary statistics |
title_full |
Permafrost distribution in the European Alps: calculation and evaluation of an index map and summary statistics |
title_fullStr |
Permafrost distribution in the European Alps: calculation and evaluation of an index map and summary statistics |
title_full_unstemmed |
Permafrost distribution in the European Alps: calculation and evaluation of an index map and summary statistics |
title_sort |
permafrost distribution in the european alps: calculation and evaluation of an index map and summary statistics |
publisher |
Copernicus Publications |
publishDate |
2012 |
url |
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-6-807-2012 https://doaj.org/article/aaa59fd9f73a4dc0b203902f7d0082ce |
genre |
permafrost The Cryosphere |
genre_facet |
permafrost The Cryosphere |
op_source |
The Cryosphere, Vol 6, Iss 4, Pp 807-820 (2012) |
op_relation |
http://www.the-cryosphere.net/6/807/2012/tc-6-807-2012.pdf https://doaj.org/toc/1994-0416 https://doaj.org/toc/1994-0424 doi:10.5194/tc-6-807-2012 1994-0416 1994-0424 https://doaj.org/article/aaa59fd9f73a4dc0b203902f7d0082ce |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-6-807-2012 |
container_title |
The Cryosphere |
container_volume |
6 |
container_issue |
4 |
container_start_page |
807 |
op_container_end_page |
820 |
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1766163580593373184 |