Permafrost, a layer of soil that remains frozen for at least two consecutive years, is a critical component of both the Arctic and the Himalaya and its degradation due to climate change has far- reaching impacts on the environment and human societies. In the Arctic, permafrost is thawing at an accelerating rate releasing stored carbon and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which contributes to global warming. Permafrost pathways research in the Arctic aims to understand the complex physical, biological, and biogeochemical processes that occur in permafrost environments and the feedbacks to the global climate system. Similarly, in the Himalaya, permafrost is an important component of the high altitude ecosystems and plays a critical role in regulating the water supply to millions of people living downstream. Permafrost degradation in the Himalayas can potentially lead to an increase in landslides and glacial lake outburst floods, which pose a significant risk to local communities. Permafrost pathways research in the Himalaya should aim to understand the pathways of water, nutrients, and energy through permafrost, which are critical for the functioning of these ecosystems and their responses to environmental change. Permafrost Pathways research in both the Arctic and the Himalaya integrates observations, experiments, and modeling to advance our understanding of permafrost processes and their vulnerability to environmental change. Permafrost pathways research also has important implications for climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies as it provides insight into the vulnerability of permafrost ecosystems and the potential for feedback to the global climate system.
