PALSA BOGS AS A CLIMATE INDICATOR - EXAMPLES FROM DOVREFJELL, SOUTHERN NORWAY

Palsas are peat-covered mounds up to a few meters high, and with perma frost cores developed either in peat or mineral soil. Due to the good insulating effect of the peat, this kind of permafrost landform can su rvive in a climate where the mean annual temperature is just below the freezing point. In marginal areas of palsa distribution, like in the Dovrefjell mountains, the occurrences of palsas are sensitive to clima te fluctuations. In Dovrefjell, southern Norway, the main tendency is declining palsas due to melting of permafrost. Further climatic warmin g will probably result in melting of most palsas within a few decades. Palsa bogs are sensitive to all human impacts that can destroy the pe at cover or otherwise change the insulating effect of the surface laye r. Haukskardsmyra, the biggest palsa bog in the Dovrefjell mountains, is a protected area.