Permafrost Soils

Most of the Earth’s biosphere is characterized by low temperatures. Vast areas (>20%) of the soil ecosystem are permanently frozen or are unfrozen for only a few weeks in summer. Permafrost regions occur at high latitudes and also at high ele- tions; a significant part of the global permafrost area is represented by mountains. Permafrost soils are of global interest, since a significant increase in temperature is predicted for polar regions. Global warming will have a great impact on these soils, especially in northern regions, since they contain large amounts of organic carbon and act as carbon sinks, and a temperature increase will result in a release of carbon into the atmosphere. Additionally, the intensified release of the clima- relevant tracer gas methane represents a potential environmental harzard. Significant numbers of viable microorganisms, including bacteria, archaea, p- totrophic cyanobacteria and green algae, fungi and protozoa, are present in per- frost, and the characteristics of these microorganisms reflect the unique and extreme conditions of the permafrost environment. Remarkably, these microorg- isms have been reported to be metabolically active at subzero temperatures, even down to ?20°C.

From the reviews:

"Permafrost Soils summarizes recent knowledge on a wide variety of aspects concerning permafrost and frozen soils that occupy over 20 percent of the Earth’s surface. ... The book consists of 21 short essays by experts in the numerous micro-specializations. ... Summing Up: ... Upper-division undergraduates, graduate students, researchers, and faculty." (J. D. Ives, Choice, Vol. 46 (10), June, 2009)