Permafrost

2005), three years recordings of surface and soil temperatures by more than 20 mini data
loggers (Heggem, 2002-2004), round year surface temperature recordings under different
vegetation and snow covers by 15 mini data loggers (Anarmaa, 2005). From a result of the
studies, we determined and mapped permafrost distribution, active layer thickness and
cryogenic phenomena depending on slope aspect, vegetation and snow covers, surface wetness,
soil and hydrologic conditions in the study area. It is proved that vegetation cover with dead
plant tissue, moss, peat and forest are natural insulator for maintaining low ground temperatures
and protecting soil moisture from high evaporation. Consequently, this insulator leads to
decreasing of active layer thickness and permafrost degradation. Active layer thickness varies
from 1.4 m in Borsog in the south, to 4.8 m in Turag in the north, apparently in relation to
livestock grazing manner.
We think that Darhad depression and Mountain taiga zone of the region are very suitable
areas for international studies on mapping and monitoring of permafrost under the combined
influences of climate warming and human activities in Central Asia.
Key words: Active layer, permafrost distribution, vegetation cover
196
The Permafrost Temperature Dynamics in the Subarctic zone of
Kodar-Udokan Fold Mountain Region.
Shesternyov D.M 1 .,Tataurov S.B 1 .,Zeleznyak M.N 2 .,Sergueev D.O 3 .
(1.Institute Natural Resources, Ecology and Cryology, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Science.
P.O.Box 539, Lenina, 54, 672010, Chita, Russia,E-mail: tataurovsb@mail.ru;
2. Permafrost Institute, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Science, E-mail: fe@mpi.ysn.ru;
3. Institute of Environmental Geoscience, Russian Academy of Science, Ulansky, 13, build. 2, P.O.Box 145,
101000, Moscow, Russia,E-mail: sergueevdo@mail.ru )
Abstract: Now we can observe a lot of different global climate models. They are calibrated by
meteorological data that was obtained mainly in valley or plain located observing centers. In
result we can see the different opinions and forecast in the question of climate change in the
mountains. This problem can be solve with helping of the data from permafrost mountain
observatories. The high mountain Kodar-Udokan permafrost observatories helps us getting
various data during 20 years. It is located at 53°E and 118°N and presents the set of sites on the
altitudes from 630 m a.s.l. (bottom of Chara tectonic depression) to 3000 m a.s.l. (Kodar
Range).
Since 1987 the thermal observations in the many boreholes in Chara Region were made.
We got the result that the permafrost temperature at 20 m depth increased during last 18 years
up to 1 °С (at different sites on the altitude from 1440 to 1710 m a.s.l.). This warming is
synchronous and unidirectional with one in the tectonic depression and valleys (at different sites
on the altitude from 630 to 900 m a.s.l.).
The mountain glaciers are good indicators of climate warming also. The depth of glaciers
in Kodar Range decreased during last 30 years. From 1957 to now the Geograph Azarova
Glacier reduced in volume and in area. The ice depth decreased from 20-30 to 15-20 m.