Wildfire and Permafrost Thaw Reduce C Pools and Diminish Carbon Sequestration Potential in Yedoma Surface Soils

Abstract

Permafrost is increasingly vulnerable to thaw and collapse because of Arctic climate warming and wildfire activity. Arctic permafrost holds one third of global soil carbon (C) and large nitrogen (N) pools. A majority of permafrost organic matter is in the Russian Yedoma Domain. Soils in this remote region have high mineral soil C and N concentrations and massive, patterned ice wedges susceptible to degradation after disturbance. Yet, how Yedoma C and N pools will respond to the interaction of climate warming, wildfire, and permafrost thaw remains unknown. Here, we examined fire and permafrost thaw impacts in the Yedoma Domain of far northeast Siberia forests burned in 2001. We measured C and N pools, soil characteristics, and foliar chemistry and productivity. We found burning reduced soil organic layer depth, promoted active layer deepening, and initiated ground subsidence. Active layer permafrost thaw resulted in a 50% reduction in soil C pools in the top 125 cm, supported by evidence of increased decomposition from soil C isotope signatures and declining C:N. Burning and subsidence similarly diminished total soil N pools 50%, labile N pools 75%, and foliar N. Foliar N isotope signatures became more depleted after disturbance, suggesting greater reliance on mycorrhizal uptake and/or NO₃⁻. Collectively, permafrost thaw mobilized soil organic matter, reducing soil C storage, N pools, and overall nutrient capital. Permafrost collapse is not only a significant atmospheric C source but N cycle restrictions could further diminish long-term C sequestration potential which balances permafrost C loss as the ecosystem recovers from disturbance.