The Importance of Seasonally Frozen Ground (SFG) in Mountain Environments To Hydrological, Ecological, and Geomorphic Systems

OVERVIEW There has been little research on the importance of Seasonally Frozen Ground (SFG), including permafrost, to many of the major processes in mountain environments. One reason has been the difficulty in measuring and estimating the areal extent of surface frost that occurs under seasonal snowpacks. Here we present preliminary evidence from the Colorado Front Range suggesting that SFG has disproportionately large effects on hydrological, ecological, and geomorphic processes. Our intent is to bring attention to the importance of SFG and to spur those in other regions to begin or expand research and monitoring programs on SFG in the western US.