Perma-Nordnet (permafrost research)
The Perma-Nordnet research network aims to take on an important role in permafrost research, addressing the relation between thermal, bio-geochemical and hydrological processes. The task of the network is to initiate and catalyse such efforts, as well as to build, carry forward and tighten existing co-operations between the network members.
About the network
The Perma-Nordnet will address the relation between thermal, bio-geochemical and hydrological processes in permafrost. Permafrost, or permanently frozen ground, is an important element of the terrestrial cryosphere, which also includes glaciers and snow. Permafrost is defined as ground which is permanently frozen for at least two consecutive years. Frozen ground will be and has been in the past affected by climate change on time scales of decades to centuries. Thawing permafrost can locally increase geohazards, especially in mountains along the west coast of Norway, and trigger changes in the hydrological and biological cycles. Thawing permafrost also has the potential to amplify climate change through an increased release of methane and carbon dioxide from the microbial decomposition of previously frozen organic material.
Modelling of permafrost
In the Nordic countries, there is a lack of co-ordination and knowledge transfer on this field, especially related to numerical modelling of thermal and hydrological processes related to frozen ground. Perma-Nordnet will initiate and catalyse such efforts, as well as to build, carry forward and tighten existing co-operations between the network members.
The key instrument will be courses on PhD level, and workshops, where both established researcher and students can meet for scientific exchange. The research network will also facilitate exchange between Nordic universities.
The network is a cooperation between a wide range of institutions:
- The University of Oslo, Department of Geosciences
- The University Centre on Svalbard (UNIS), Geology Department, Norway
- University of Copenhagen, Department of Geography and Geology, Denmark
- University of Oulu, Department of Geography, Finland
- University of Stockholm, Departments of Physical Geography and Quaternary Geology, Sweden
- University Helsinki, Department of Geosciences and Geography, Finland
- Norwegian Meteorological Institute, Oslo, Norway
- Danish Meteorological Institute (DMI), Copenhagen, Denmark
- Geologian tutkimuskeskus/Geological Survey of Finland (GTK) Espoo, Finland
- The National Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS), Copenhagen, Denmark
More information about the members in the network
NordForsk, Nordic Council of Ministers
Duration from 2011 to 2014.