Measuring and Collecting Above-Ground Vegetation to Investigate Insulative Properties (RiS ID 12331)

Permafrost thaw could release significant greenhouse gases, making it crucial to understand factors that influence this process. Vegetation impacts permafrost temperatures, but we lack a clear framework for how specific plant traits regulate their insulative capacity. This project, part of INSULATE, will analyze the insulative properties of mosses, lichens, and vascular plants under controlled conditions in a laboratory setup. Fieldwork in summer 2025 will provide samples for detailed trait analyses, which, in conjunction with thaw depth data from both the lab and the field, will enhance our understanding of species-specific insulative traits and their role in permafrost insulation.