Headwall of a thaw slump along the Miner River, 85 km southeast of Tuktoyaktuk, NWT, Canada. Credits: Carolina Voigt, AWI (2025).
News: 
at the Permafrost Carbon Network Workshop in Colourful Aspen
Maroon Bells near Aspen, where the Permafrost Carbon Workshop was held (Photo: S. Enns)
From October 4-8, team members Guido Grosse, Jens Strauss, Jan Nizbon, David Olefeldt, Sydney Enns, and Martijn Pallandt attended a workshop in Aspen, CO with members of the Permafrost Carbon Network (PCN) hosted by the Aspen Global Change Institute (AGCI). The workshop was entitled "Impacts of Arctic Permafrost Change on Ecosystems and People: Synthesis & Projections". The workshop encouraged collaboration between members of the PCN and synthesis of recent studies before the release of the 7th assessment report from the IPCC. This event brought together members from across the world of varying career stages.
The first few days included sessions on the following topics:
- Current and future greenhouse gas emissions from abrupt thaw
- How vulnerable is permafrost carbon to fire regime changes?
- Can vegetation growth compensate for the permafrost feedback in an age of increasing disturbances?
- Freshwater ecosystems: emissions hotspots and lateral transport
- Prioritizing permafrost processes in land models
- From concept to terminology: what we mean by thresholds, tipping elements, and other permafrost change concepts
- Abrupt thaw impacts on ecosystems and people: beyond greenhouse gas emissions
The rest of the workshop focused on synthesis and working on outputs that could be derived from the meeting. There was an emphasis on short term projects to synthesize recent data that could be used in the 7th IPCC assessment report. The meeting also sparked ideas for longer term projects and collaboration useful for the project as well.
Beyond the science, attendees had the opportunity to explore the beautiful surrounding area and see the stunning fall colours. The week was spent building connections, enjoying each other's company, and working to synthesize recent permafrost carbon science. A special thanks to the Aspen Global Change Institute and to the workshop chairs (Ted Schuur and Emma Lathrop) and advisory group (Kenzie Kuhn, David Olefeldt, Christina Schaedel, Mike Loranty, and Frans-Jan Parmentier) from the PCN for putting on this fantastic workshop!
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