Methane emissions to the atmosphere from the northern permafrost region have the potential to amplify climate warming, but the sources and sinks of methane are poorly quantified. The study of…

Methane emissions to the atmosphere from the northern permafrost region have the potential to amplify climate warming, but the sources and sinks of methane are poorly quantified. The study of environmental arctic change search proposes an international workshop to facilitate development of a methane budget the difference between methane sources and sinks in the region. The workshop will bring together three research groups each with different approaches. The three groups are focused on methane from terrestrial sources primarily wetlands and lakes, coastal sources, and inferences of fluxes based on atmospheric methane concentrations. All have recognized the need to integrate their efforts to produce a robust methane budget for the region. This workshop is a key step towards better reconciliation of methane budgets in the northern permafrost region. Workshop objectives 1 communicate the state of the science among the three methane synthesis groups 2 communicate the synthesis plans of each group and progress made to date 3 identify potential connections to sea ICE and land ICE facilitated with search sea ICE and land ICE action teams 4 refine synthesis plans based on workshop discussions and 5 identify a plan for developing an overall synthesis of methane budgets in the region the overall synthesis will be reported in a paper by the end of 2017. Methods and techniques dave mcguire USGS and university of alaska fairbanks will lead approximately 40 attendees in a 2 day workshop in seattle in early 2017. The first day of the workshop will focus on each research group sharing the current state of the science, individual synthesis plans, and opportunities for an integrated synthesis. Breakout sessions on day two will identify 1 boundaries between synthesis groups 2 opportunities for data sharing and 3 potential connections to sea ICE and land ICE. On day three, each groups synthesis plan will be revised, and an outline will be developed for an integrated synthesis of methane budgets in the northern permafrost region. Workshop products workshop products are expected to include: 1 a meeting report in EOS, the weekly newsletter of AGU 2 refined plans for synthesis by each of the three groups, and 3 a plan for developing an integrated synthesis of methane budgets for the northern permafrost region. Significance to NASA and SMD objectives the proposed workshop meets the goals of the roses solicitation by bringing together the scientific community to encourage and facilitate the use of data on methane budgets in the northern permafrost region. IT will increase the efficiency of investigators by providing a platform for synthesis and data sharing. This workshop directly addresses nasas strategic objective for earth science as described in the 2014 science plan to advance knowledge of earth as a system to meet the challenges of environmental change, and to improve life on our planet. Specifically, the proposed workshop will address overarching science goals including atmospheric composition, carbon cycle and ecosystems, and climate variability and change. The synthesis will build upon the recently completed NASA campaign on carbon in arctic reservoirs vulnerability experiment carve, lead PI charles miller and will provide a baseline for reduction of uncertainties in methane budgets by the ongoing arctic boreal vulnerability experiment above, lead scientists scott goetz and charles miller NASA campaign.