Non-temperature environmental drivers modulate warming-induced 21st-century permafrost degradation on the Tibetan Plateau.

The world's largest continuous alpine permafrost layer on the Tibet Plateau (TP), is increasingly threatened by warming leading permafrost degradation that disrupts carbon, water, and nutrient cycling, and threatens ecosystem services and infrastructure stability. However, it remains unclear how permafrost sensitivity to warming varies across the TP and over time. By compiling a 20-year (2001-2020) dataset from 55 in situ monitoring sites, we find permafrost thawing rates increased from 45 ± 15 cm·10a (2001-2010) to 86 ± 30 cm·10a (2011-2020), while the temperature increasing rates at the top of permafrost rose from 0.

Ground ice at depths in the Tianshuihai Lake basin on the western Qinghai-Tibet Plateau: An indication of permafrost evolution.

The stable-isotope data of ground ice from a deep borehole (~46 m) at the Tianshuihai (TSH) lake basin on the northwestern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) are presented together with cryolithological information. Remarkable variations in the stable isotope composition of ground ice at depths allow a division of five clearly delineated stages. The remarkable deviations in stable isotopes of ground ice during each stage underline different initial source water and formation processes, indicating considerable fluctuations in paleo-lake conditions and multiple patterns of climatic-induced permafrost evolutions.

The effect of desertification on frozen soil on the Qinghai-Tibet plateau.

Under the influences of climate change and human activities, desertification has become widespread on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP). However, the effect of desertification on frozen soil is still debated. Here, soil temperatures are observed through 14 boreholes at Honglianghe River Basin on the QTP to study the relationship between desertification and frozen soil.