Permafrost Causes Unique Fine‐Scale Spatial Variability Across Tundra Soils

Spatial analysis in earth sciences is often based on the concept of spatial autocorrelation, expressed by W. Tobler as first law geography: “everything related to everything else, but near things are more than distant things." Here, we show that subsurface soil properties permafrost tundra terrain exhibit tremendous variability. We describe variability organic carbon (SOC) and ground ice content from centimeter landscape scale three typical types common across Arctic region. At pedon scale, is, centimeters 1–2 m, caused cryoturbation affected tussocks, hummocks nonsorted circles. meters tens meters, different generations ice-wedges. Variability at ranging hundreds associated with geomorphic disturbances catenary shifts. The co-occurrence overlap processes landforms creates a structure unique environments. coefficient variation SOC (21%–73%) exceeds found (17%–66%) even (24%–67%). Such high values for otherwise regional continental scale. Clearly, soils do not conform Tobler's law, among most variable Earth. This needs be accounted mapping predictions feedbacks through various ecosystem processes. conclude deserves special attention regions.