Thawing permafrost is also increasing erosion in coastal areas because as the land becomes softer (and subsides); waves are more able to deteriorate it. This is important because it is forcing some coastal communities to relocate costing them greatly in terms of finances and their cultural practices.
Additionally, decreasing ground ice is impacting ecosystems in that it is shifting where forests can grow (since the ground is becoming warmer), changing migration routes of animals such as caribou, causing existing trees to fall, draining lakes, and creating wetlands as these lakes are no longer held in place with solid ice and/or frozen ground.
One of the most important things about thawing permafrost that is not directly affecting these specific locations however is the release of stored soil carbon into the atmosphere. Because of the limited thawing season in the active layer of soil, vegetation is allowed to grow. When the soil refreezes, the vegetation dies and is not allowed to fully decompose as it is engrossed in the newly frozen soil. This occurs repeatedly over time and the amount of carbon stored in the soil grows. As the soil now begins to thaw, these plants are able to more fully decompose and release both carbon dioxide and methane in the process.
The full impact of this additional carbon dioxide and methane on climate change is not yet fully understood however, because the release of additional carbon will also stimulate more plant growth and these new plants will absorb the carbon dioxide.
Though it is unclear what will happen with permafrost in the future, it is clear that it is extremely important to the areas where it occurs today both economically and culturally and researchers are still striving to fully understand its impacts.
