ABSTRACT Coarse blocky material is known to have a ground cooling effect compared to other types of unconsolidated surface material, which may have an influence on spatial distribution and conservation of permafrost. In the light of climate warming, this effect may retard permafrost degradation or exert prolonged ground cooling in general. To contribute to a better understanding of this ground cooling effect and potential influencing factors, the thermal regime of blocky surface layers of two comparable nearby relict rock glaciers with opposing aspects was investigated. Air, surface and shallow ground temperature at 1 m depth were continuously measured over a four-year period at nine locations distributed over two rock glaciers. The blocky surface layer of the SW-exposed rock glacier exhibits lower and more heterogeneous temperatures than the NE-oriented despite a higher potential solar radiation. The data suggest a thinner or more discontinuous seasonal snow cover at the SW-exposed rock glacier, causing a more efficient winter cooling. The importance of air flow driven heat transfer as a source of cooling is supported by the data. Results illustrate thermal heterogeneities within blocky layers and the importance of the seasonal snow cover pattern in addition to topography and microclimatic variability in high relief terrain is hypothesized.

中文翻译：

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附近两个残岩冰川（Niedere Tauern Range，奥地利）块状表层小气候的控制因素

摘要 与其他类型的松散地表材料相比，已知粗块状材料具有地面冷却效应，这可能对多年冻土的空间分布和保护产生影响。鉴于气候变暖，这种效应可能会延缓永久冻土的退化或一般会延长地面冷却时间。为了有助于更好地了解这种地面冷却效应和潜在影响因素，研究了附近两个具有相反方面的可比残岩冰川的块状表层的热状态。在四年的时间里，在分布在两个岩石冰川上的九个地点连续测量了 1 m 深度的空气、地表和浅层地温。尽管潜在的太阳辐射较高，SW 暴露的岩石冰川的块状表层表现出比 NE 取向的更低和更不均匀的温度。数据表明，西南暴露的岩石冰川的季节性积雪更薄或更不连续，从而导致更有效的冬季降温。数据支持气流驱动传热作为冷却源的重要性。结果说明了块状层内的热异质性以及季节性积雪模式的重要性以及高地势地形中的地形和小气候变化的假设。数据支持气流驱动传热作为冷却源的重要性。结果说明了块状层内的热异质性以及季节性积雪模式的重要性以及高地势地形中的地形和小气候变化的假设。数据支持气流驱动传热作为冷却源的重要性。结果说明了块状层内的热异质性以及季节性积雪模式的重要性以及高地势地形中的地形和小气候变化的假设。