Аннотация:The thawing of polygonal ice wedges determines the dynamics of polygonal peatland relief. The polygonal peat
plateaus in the Pur-Taz interfluve account for an average of 6,5 % of the total area. The purpose of the proposed
study is to establish the short-term rates and direction of change in the plateaus’ relief under the combined action
of technogenic and natural factors, using monitoring data for the period 2005–2022. Based on satellite images
and orthophotoplans, elements of the peat plateaus have been outlined and their areas have been determined for
different time slices. The studies were carried out on a peat plateau immediately adjacent to the highway (T1)
and on a background peat plateau at a distance of about 1.5 km from the highway (T2). To identify the natural
causes of changes in the relief of the peat plateaus, the influence of climatic parameters is considered. The rates of
relief change in natural conditions and under the impact of the highway are also compared. It has been established
that in the area to the north-west of the highway the relief of the T1 polygonal peat plateau has stabilized. In
the south-east section of T1, degradation has sharply increased after the construction of the highway. Due to the
degradation of the polygons, the polygonal troughs expanded. In the background peat plateau T2, the rate of
relief degradation is somewhat higher than in the northwestern portion of T1. Comparison of the main climatic
parameters and degradation rates of the polygonal relief did not show any clear correlations. Probably, of greater
importance are the regime of atmospheric precipitation, the redistribution of surface runoff and recurrence of
flooding and drainage of the polygonal troughs, determined by the rhythmic course of the relief degradation.
Keywords: climatic controls, ice wedges, polygons, polygonal troughs, runoff, satellite imagery, technogenic
impact, thermoerosion, thermokarst, UAV survey.
For Citation: Babkin E.M., Babkina E.A., Leibman M.O., Khayrullin R.R., Khomutov A.V. Monitoring of the
relief changes in polygonal peat plateaus adjacent to the highway Zapolyarnoe — Tazovsky. Problemy Arktiki i
Antarktiki. Arctic and Antarctic Research. 2022, 68 (4): 384–405. [In Russian]. https://doi.org/10.30758/0555-
2648-2022-68-4-384-405.