Permafrost, permanently frozen ground in high-latitude and high-altitude ecosystems, stores an enormous quantity of organic carbon. As global temperatures rise, permafrost is thawing at an accelerating rate, releasing previously frozen organic matter to microbial degradation.
Why It Matters
The amount of carbon stored in permafrost is estimated to be roughly twice the amount currently in the atmosphere. When this organic matter thaws and becomes available to microbial degradation, it can be mineralized to CO₂ or CH₄ (both potent greenhouse gases) creating a potential positive feedback loop that amplifies climate warming.
Our Research
We investigate:
- What types of organic matter are most vulnerable to degradation upon thawing
- Which microbial communities and enzymatic pathways degrade permafrost organic matter
- How rates of organic matter degradation change as permafrost landscapes evolve
- The role of extracellular enzymes in mediating permafrost carbon release
Understanding these processes is essential for accurately predicting the trajectory of climate change in the coming century.
