Zonality in the dynamics of the seasonally thawed layer in the landscapes of Yakutia

Abstract

The article presents a pattern of zonation that may be discerned in terms of the behavior of the seasonally thawed layer in Yakutia. What emerges is basically a latitudinal zonation within which a tundra zone, a northern taiga subzone, and a middle taiga subzone may be identified within Yakutia. In general the short‐term variability in the thickness of the seasonally thawed layer, as well as the length of the thaw period, increases from north to south. Local variations in such factors as moisture conditions, accumulation of organic material, aspect, etc., will inevitably cause variations in the length of period of thaw, depth of thaw, and the temporal patterns of the onset of thaw, duration of thaw, and duration and direction of refreezing, within the general latitudinal zonation.