Collaborative frontiers in permafrost studies: A workshop on permafrost research

Organisers: AAA: Managing cryosphere and water risk   and the University of Bergen, Norway

Agenda

About the event

We are organising a workshop for our partners in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region to build their capability and explore opportunities to collaborate in permafrost research. This four-day workshop will unite experts and students from various disciplines within permafrost research covering fieldwork, remote sensing, modelling, and machine learning.  Through the workshop, participants will foster understanding of each other’s work and explore how diverse methodologies and areas of expertise can synergistically enhance collective research efforts.

Objectives

The objectives of the workshop are as follows:

1. Facilitate a workshop on the use of SAR and InSAR data for studying permafrost
2. Explore opportunities to increase collaboration in the HKH region amongst those interested in studying permafrost and rock glaciers
3. Identify linkages in cryosphere disciplines and sub-disciplines for research initiatives
4. Setting the foundation for future funding opportunities and joint publications

The workshop will be attended by representatives from Jawaharlal Nehru University and Kashmir University, India, Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), Pakistan, and members of organising institutions.

The workshop is jointly organised by the University of Bergen, Norway and ICIMOD’s Action Area A – Managing Cryosphere and Water Risks under the Strategic Group (SG-1) on Reducing Climate and Environment Risks, and supported by the International Strategy fund, University of Leeds and the government of Norway.

Training materials

1. Robson, B and Wangchuk, S. (2024). Introduction to Radar interferometry (InSAR). University of Bergen & ICIMOD.
   [PowerPoint slides]
2. Robson, B. (2024). Rock glaciers identification and characterisation with remote sensing and machine learning. University of Bergen.
   [PowerPoint slides]
3. Baral, P. (2024). Permafrost research activities at ICIMOD. ICIMOD
   [PowerPoint slides]

Expected outcomes

• Establish a network of collaborators focused on studying permafrost and rock glaciers in the HKH region. This network will span various methods and expertise, including remote sensing, field investigations, modeling, and machine learning.
• Good groundwork achieved for future funding opportunities and the potential for a collaborative joint publication that will integrate the findings and research efforts of the participants.
• Participants can use SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) and InSAR (Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar) techniques for permafrost research, including rock glacier velocity mapping, and enhance their ability to monitor and understand permafrost dynamics.
• Improved integration of remote sensing data with field observations to understand permafrost processes.

Background

The state of permafrost in the HKH remains relatively unknown, despite its importance for regional hydrology, geohazards, ground stability, and biodiversity. In recent years, advancements in machine learning and remote sensing techniques such as SAR and InSAR have allowed new insights in permafrost landforms including rock glaciers. Notably, the first rock glacier inventory for the entire Tibetan Plateau has recently been compiled, with plans to extend this coverage to entire High Mountain Asia. Despite these developments, several pivotal questions remain unanswered regarding how to integrate these new datasets within the understanding of permafrost processes, assess the reliability of such predictions, and effectively combine remote-sensing observations with field investigations. This workshop will convene scientists specializing in permafrost (particularly rock glaciers) from Europe, High Mountain Asia, and New Zealand. It aims to serve as a platform for initiating new collaborative frameworks that will hopefully pave the way for future joint projects and collaborations.