Dissolved organic carbon(DOC)fluxes in streams and rivers draining permafrost-dominated areas contribute significantly to the global carbon cycle,and thus become the research focus of global climate change.Recent researches are mainly centered on patterns and controls of DOC export in streams from permafrost-influenced catchments and their responses to permafrost degradation caused by climate warming. These researches demonstrate that the distribution of permafrost and seasonal frozen ground and the freeze-thaw cycle of active layer significantly influence DOC concentrations,fluxes and compositions in rivers by altering hydrologic flow paths,water residence times and potential DOC sources in the catchment. Global warming may affect stream DOC export from permafrost-dominated areas in contradictory ways.On the one hand,with permafrost thaw and degradation,active layer thickness,depth of subsurface flows and water residence time may increase,and the DOC delivered to the streams and rivers may decline.On the other hand,degradation of permafrost and increases in active layer depths may facilitate the release of old organic carbon to adjacent streams and rivers.In addition,warmer temperatures and improved aeration occurring with the deepening of active layer stimulate microbial activities,potentially influencing DOC fluxes and chemical compositions in streams and rivers.Future research prospects include,(1)patterns and hydrological controls of DOC export in streams draining permafrost-dominated catchments in mid-low latitude, high altitude mountain areas;(2)control studies of stream DOC export from small headwater watersheds where landscape is homogeneous and thus processes and changes are easier to elucidate;(3)more detailed characterization of groundwater flow and access to deep DOC sources in permafrost areas.