cryopedology

Cryopedology is the study of soils that are affected by freezing temperatures, typically in cold regions like tundras and high-altitude areas. It examines how soil properties change when they freeze and thaw repeatedly, influencing landscape formation, vegetation, and construction. This field helps us understand the challenges of building infrastructure in cold climates and the ecological dynamics of frozen soil environments. By analyzing soil frost, permafrost, and layering, cryopedologists provide insights into environmental processes and potential impacts of climate change on these fragile systems.