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Review of Permafrost Degradation in the Mongolian Plateau

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  • Fengjiao Li

    (State Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Information System, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
    College of Geomatics, Xi’an University of Science and Technology, Xi’an 710054, China)

  • Juanle Wang

    (State Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Information System, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
    College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
    Jiangsu Center for Collaborative Innovation in Geographical Information Resource Development and Application, Nanjing 210023, China)

  • Pengfei Li

    (College of Geomatics, Xi’an University of Science and Technology, Xi’an 710054, China)

  • Avirmed Dashtseren

    (Institute of Geography and Geoecology, Mongolian Academy of Sciences, Ulaanbaatar 15170, Mongolia)

Abstract

Permafrost serves as a crucial indicator of global climate change. Its degradation significantly influences Earth’s surface systems, including hydrology, soil, climate, ecosystems, and even civil construction. The distribution of permafrost in the Mongolian Plateau (MP) has an important influence in North Asia and even the Euro-Asia continent. This study provides a comprehensive review of the current state of permafrost degradation and its influence on MP, including climate change and human activities. Remote sensing technologies for permafrost monitoring, including optical remote sensing data models and InSAR technology, are also reviewed. This paper outlines eight future research directions by exploring the latest advancements and technical challenges in permafrost monitoring in the region. These include fundamental investigations of the permafrost zone; evaluation of permafrost effects on ecosystems; hydrology and water resources research; assessment and engineering of freeze–thaw hazards; sustainable regional development in permafrost zones; remote sensing monitoring techniques for permafrost; inter-regional comparative and collaborative research; and data sharing and standardization for permafrost research. This study provides valuable insights into the progress of permafrost degradation not only in the MP but also as a reference for related permafrost studies in other mid-to-high latitudes regions.

Suggested Citation

  • Fengjiao Li & Juanle Wang & Pengfei Li & Avirmed Dashtseren, 2025. "Review of Permafrost Degradation in the Mongolian Plateau," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-21, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:2:p:383-:d:1589156
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Y. L. Shur & M. T. Jorgenson, 2007. "Patterns of permafrost formation and degradation in relation to climate and ecosystems," Permafrost and Periglacial Processes, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 18(1), pages 7-19, January.
    2. M. W. Smith & D. W. Riseborough, 1996. "Permafrost monitoring and detection of climate change," Permafrost and Periglacial Processes, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 7(4), pages 301-309, October.
    3. Mamoru Ishikawa & Yamkhin Jamvaljav & Avirmed Dashtseren & Natsagdorj Sharkhuu & Gamboo Davaa & Yoshihiro Iijima & Nachin Baatarbileg & Kenji Yoshikawa, 2018. "Thermal states, responsiveness and degradation of marginal permafrost in Mongolia," Permafrost and Periglacial Processes, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 29(4), pages 271-282, October.
    4. Qinxue Wang & Tomohiro Okadera & Masataka Watanabe & Tonghua Wu & Batkhishig Ochirbat, 2022. "Ground warming and permafrost degradation in various terrestrial ecosystems in northcentral Mongolia," Permafrost and Periglacial Processes, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 33(4), pages 406-424, October.
    5. E. A. G. Schuur & A. D. McGuire & C. Schädel & G. Grosse & J. W. Harden & D. J. Hayes & G. Hugelius & C. D. Koven & P. Kuhry & D. M. Lawrence & S. M. Natali & D. Olefeldt & V. E. Romanovsky & K. Schae, 2015. "Climate change and the permafrost carbon feedback," Nature, Nature, vol. 520(7546), pages 171-179, April.
    6. Jambaljav Yamkhin & Gansukh Yadamsuren & Temuujin Khurelbaatar & Tsogt‐Erdene Gansukh & Undrakhtsetseg Tsogtbaatar & Saruulzaya Adiya & Amarbayasgalan Yondon & Dashtseren Avirmed & Sharkhuu Natsagdorj, 2022. "Spatial distribution mapping of permafrost in Mongolia using TTOP," Permafrost and Periglacial Processes, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 33(4), pages 386-405, October.
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