Search Results (193)

Bare land exposed by glacier retreat provides new opportunities for ecosystem development. Investigating primary vegetation succession in deglaciated regions can provide significant insights for ecological restoration, particularly for future climate change scenarios. Nonetheless, research on this topic in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau has been exceedingly limited. This study aimed to investigate vegetation succession in the deglaciated area of the Zepu glacier during the Little Ice Age in southeastern Tibet. Quadrat surveys were performed on arboreal communities, and trends in vegetation change were assessed utilizing multi-year (1986–2024) remote sensing data. The findings indicate that vegetation succession in the Zepu glacier deglaciated area typically adheres to a sequence of bare land–shrub–tree, divided into four stages: (1) shrub (species include Larix griffithii Mast., Hippophae rhamnoides subsp. yunnanensis Rousi, Betula utilis D. Don, and Populus pseudoglauca C. Wang & P. Y. Fu); (2) broadleaf forest primarily dominated by Hippophae rhamnoides subsp. yunnanensis Rousi; (3) mixed coniferous–broadleaf forest with Hippophae rhamnoides subsp. yunnanensis Rousi and Populus pseudoglauca C. Wang & P. Y. Fu as the dominant species; and (4) mixed coniferous–broadleaf forest dominated by Picea likiangensis (Franch.) E. Pritz. Soil depth and NDVI both increase with succession. Species diversity is significantly higher in the third stage compared to other successional stages. In addition, soil moisture content is significantly greater in the broadleaf-dominated communities than in the conifer-dominated communities. An analysis of NDVI from 1986 to 2024 reveals an overall positive trend in vegetation recovery in the area, with 93% of the area showing significant vegetation increase. Temperature is the primary controlling factor for this recovery, showing a positive correlation with vegetation cover. The results indicate that Key ecological indicators—including species composition, diversity, NDVI, soil depth, and soil moisture content—exhibit stage-specific patterns, reflecting distinct phases of primary succession. These findings enhance our comprehension of vegetation succession in deglaciated areas and their influencing factors in deglaciated areas, providing theoretical support for vegetation restoration in climate change. Full article

Climate change has accelerated the retreat of Andean glaciers, with significant recent losses in the tropical Andes. This study evaluates the extinction of the Carihuairazo volcano glacier (Ecuador), quantifying its area from 1312.5 m² in September 2023 to 101.2 m² in January 2024, its thickness (from 2.5 m to 0.71 m), and its volume (from 2638.85 m³ to 457.18 m³), before its complete deglaciation in February 2024; this rapid melting and its small size classify it as a glacierette. Multivariate analyses (PCA and biclustering) were performed to correlate climatic variables (temperature, solar radiation, precipitation, relative humidity, vapor pressure, and wind) with glacier surface and thickness. The PCA explained 70.26% of the total variance, with Axis 1 (28.01%) associated with extreme thermal conditions (temperatures up to 8.18 °C and radiation up to 16.14 kJ m⁻² day⁻¹), which probably drove its disappearance. Likewise, Axis 2 (21.56%) was related to favorable hydric conditions (precipitation between 39 and 94 mm) during the initial phase of glacier monitoring. Biclustering identified three groups of variables: Group 1 (temperature, solar radiation, and vapor pressure) contributed most to deglaciation; Group 2 (precipitation, humidity) apparently benefited initial stability; and Group 3 (wind) played a secondary role. These results, validated through in situ measurements, provide scientific evidence of the disappearance of the Carihuairazo volcano glacier by February 2024. They also corroborate earlier projections that anticipated its extinction by the middle of this decade. The early disappearance of this glacier highlights the vulnerability of small tropical Andean glaciers and underscores the urgent need for water security strategies focused on management, adaptation, and resilience. Full article

The Alpine Periglacial Weathering Zone (APWZ) is a critical transitional belt between alpine vegetation and glaciers, and a highly sensitive region to climate change. Its dynamic variations profoundly reflect the surface environment’s response to climatic shifts. Taking Gongga Mountain as the study area, this study utilizes summer Landsat imagery from 1986 to 2024 and constructs a remote sensing method based on NDVI and NDSI indices using the Otsu thresholding algorithm on the Google Earth Engine platform to automatically extract the positions of the upper limit of vegetation and the snowline. Results show that over the past four decades, the APWZ in Gongga Mountain has exhibited a continuous upward shift, with the mean elevation rising from 4101 m to 4575 m. The upper limit of vegetation advanced at an average rate of 17.43 m/a, significantly faster than the snowline shift (3.9 m/a). The APWZ also experienced substantial areal shrinkage, with an average annual reduction of approximately 13.84 km², highlighting the differential responses of various surface cover types to warming. Spatially, the most pronounced changes occurred in high-elevation zones (4200–4700 m), moderate slopes (25–33°), and sun-facing aspects (east, southeast, and south slopes), reflecting a typical climate–topography coupled driving mechanism. In the upper APWZ, glacier retreat has intensified weathering and increased debris accumulation, while the newly formed vegetation zone in the lower APWZ remains structurally fragile and unstable. Under extreme climatic disturbances, this setting is prone to triggering chain-type hazards such as landslides and debris flows. These findings enhance our capacity to monitor alpine ecological boundary changes and identify associated disaster risks, providing scientific support for managing climate-sensitive mountainous regions. Full article

This study conducts a comprehensive and systematic literature review, guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol, to investigate the impacts of climate change on closed lake systems in Central Asia, with a specific focus on Lakes Balkhash, Issyk-Kul, and Urmia. Based on a detailed analysis of 74 peer-reviewed studies published between 2000 and 2025, this review identifies key thematic patterns and bibliometric trends in the literature. Findings reveal that most studies emphasize hydrological stress, glacier retreat, and an increasing drought frequency, while institutional adaptation and transboundary governance mechanisms remain underdeveloped and inconsistently implemented. National-level adaptation strategies vary considerably, with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan showing a relatively higher engagement, though rarely supported by enforceable cross-border agreements. This review also highlights the limited participation of local research institutions and insufficient empirical validation of policy measures. The bibliometric analysis indicates that most high-impact publications originate outside the region, particularly from China and Germany. This study provides a structured synthesis of existing knowledge and identifies critical avenues for future research and policy development. It calls for more inclusive, transdisciplinary, and regionally embedded approaches to water governance in the context of accelerating climate risks. Full article

The increasing popularity of e-biking and e-mountain biking offers new opportunities for sustainable tourism and environmental education, particularly in mountain regions. This study focuses on the Italy–Switzerland “E-Bike” project, which integrates e-bike-friendly routes with scientific and cultural education across the Alps. By analyzing key points of interest along the routes, particularly glaciers and earth pyramids in Lombardy, we explore strategies for sustainable management, conservation, and public engagement. Glaciers (Forni and Ventina), facing rapid retreat due to climate change, represent sensitive environments requiring monitoring and visitor regulation. Similarly, earth pyramids in Postalesio exemplify fragile landforms shaped by erosion, requiring visitor management. This study highlights the need for strategic promotion, clear scientific communication, and sustainable tourism practices to balance conservation with accessibility. E-biking facilitates low-impact exploration of geosites, enhancing public awareness of environmental challenges while minimizing ecological footprints. Innovative digital tools (QR-coded virtual guides) enhance visitor education and engagement. By integrating e-bike tourism with geoheritage conservation, this study proposes guidelines for managing soft mobility in mountain areas, combining conservation needs with accessibility, and fostering public engagement. These findings contribute to broader discussions on sustainable tourism development, offering a replicable model for other regions seeking to harmonize recreation with environmental stewardship. Full article

Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) have emerged as a critical threat to high-mountain communities and ecosystems, driven by accelerated glacier retreat and lake expansion under climate change. This review synthesizes advancements in remote sensing technologies and methodologies for GLOF monitoring, risk assessment, and mitigation. Through a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)-guided systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis of studies from 2010 to 2025, we evaluate the transformative role of remote sensing in overcoming traditional field-based limitations. Central to this review is the exploration of multi-sensor data fusion for high-resolution lake dynamics mapping, machine learning algorithms for predictive risk modelling, and hydrodynamic simulations for flood propagation analysis. This review underscores the importance of these technologies in improving GLOF risk assessments and supporting early warning systems, which are crucial for safeguarding vulnerable high-mountain communities. It addresses existing challenges, such as data integration and model calibration, and advocates for collaborative efforts between scientists, policymakers, and local stakeholders to translate technological advancements into effective mitigation strategies, ensuring the sustainability of these at-risk regions. Full article

The China–Mongolia arid region adjacent to the Altai Mountain (CMA) has a sensitive ecosystem that relies heavily on both terrestrial water (TWS) and groundwater storage (GWS). However, during the 2003–2016 period, the CMA experienced significant glacier retreat, lake shrinkage, and grassland degradation. To illuminate the TWS and GWS dynamics in the CMA and the dominant driving factors, we employed high-resolution (0.1°) GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment) data generated through random forest (RF) combined with residual correction. The downscaled data at a 0.1° resolution illustrate the spatial heterogeneity of TWS and GWS depletion. The highest TWS and GWS decline rates were both on the north slope of the Tianshan River Basin (NTRB) of the Junggar Basin of Northwestern China (JBNWC) (27.96 mm/yr and −32.98 mm/yr, respectively). Human impact played a primary role in TWS decreases in the JBNWC, with a relative contribution rate of 62.22% compared to the climatic contribution (37.78%). A notable shift—from climatic (2002–2010) to anthropogenic factors (2011–2020)—was observed as the primary driver of TWS decline in the Great Lakes Depression region of western Mongolia (GLDWM). To maintain ecological stability and promote sustainable regional development, effective action is urgently required to save essential TWS from further depletion. Full article

Limited surface energy and mass flux data hinder the understanding of glacier retreat mechanisms on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP). Glaciers in the west Nyainqentanglha Range (WNR) supply meltwater to the densely populated Lhasa River basin (LRB) and Nam Co, the QTP’s second-largest endorheic lake. In this study, we used a glacier mass balance model based on the degree-day method (GMB-DDM) to understand the response of glacier changes to climate warming. The spatiotemporal variation in degree-day factors for ice (DDF_ice; plural form: DDFs_ice) was assessed to characterize the sensitivity of glacier melt to warming over 44 years in the WNR. Our results demonstrate that the GMB_DDM effectively captured the accelerated mass loss and regional heterogeneity of WNR glaciers from 2000 to 2020, particularly the intensified negative balance after 2014. Moreover, glacier ablation was more sensitive to warming in the WNR during 2000–2020 than 1976–2000, with DDF_ice increases of 21% ± 8% in the LRB and 31% ± 10% in the Nam Co basin (NCB). Increased precipitation during the ablation season and reduced glacier surface albedo can explain the increased sensitivity to warming during 2000–2020. These findings could support sustainable water resource management in the LRB, NCB, and the surrounding areas of the QTP. Full article

Glaciers, often regarded as “frozen reservoirs”, play a crucial role in replenishing numerous rivers in arid regions, contributing to ecological balance and managing river flow. Recently, the rapid shrinkage of the glaciers in the East Tianshan Mountains has affected the water quantity in the Karez system. However, studies on glacier changes in this region are limited, and recent data are scarce. This study utilizes annual Landsat composite images from 1990 to 2022 obtained via the Google Earth Engine (GEE). It utilizes a ratio threshold approach in conjunction with visual analysis to gather the glacier dataset specific to the Turpan–Hami region. The Open Global Glacier Model (OGGM) is used to model the flowlines and mass balance of around 300 glaciers. The study analyzes the glacier change trends, distribution characteristics, and responses to climate factors in the Turpan–Hami region over the past 30 years. Additionally, future glacier changes through the end of the century are projected using CMIP6 climate data. The findings indicate that the following: (1) From 1990 to 2022, glaciers in the research area underwent considerable retreat. The total glacier area decreased from 204.04 ± 0.887 km² to 133.52 ± 0.742 km², a reduction of 70.52 km², representing a retreat rate of 34.56%. The number of glaciers also decreased from 304 in 1990 to 236 in 2022. The glacier length decreased by an average of 7.54 m·a⁻¹, with the average mass balance at −0.34 m w.e.·a⁻¹, indicating a long-term loss of glacier mass. (2) Future projections to 2100 indicate that under three climate scenarios, the area covered by glaciers could diminish by 89%, or 99%, or even vanish entirely. In the SSP585 scenario, glaciers are projected to nearly disappear by 2057. (3) Rising temperatures and solar radiation are the primary factors driving glacier retreat in the Turpan–Hami area. Especially under high emission scenarios, climate warming will accelerate the glacier retreat process. Full article

Glaciers worldwide are in retreat, and their meltwater can modulate mountain aquifers. We examined whether mass loss of the Juncal Norte Glacier (central Chile) has affected groundwater storage in the Juncal River basin between 1990 and 2022. Recession-curve modeling of daily streamflow shows no statistically significant trend in basin-scale groundwater reserves (τ = 0.06, p > 0.05). In contrast, glacier volume declined significantly (−3.8 hm³/yr, p < 0.05), and precipitation at the nearby Riecillos station fell sharply during the 2008–2017 megadrought (p < 0.05) but exhibited no significant change beforehand. Given the simultaneous decreases in meteoric inputs (rain + snow) and glacier mass, one would expect groundwater storage to decline; its observed stability therefore suggests that enhanced glacier-melt recharge may be temporarily offsetting drier conditions. Isotopic evidence from comparable Andean catchments supports such glacio-groundwater coupling, although time lags of months to years complicate detection with recession models alone. Hence, while our results do not yet demonstrate a direct glacier–groundwater link, they are consistent with the hypothesis that ongoing ice loss is buffering aquifer storage. Longer records and tracer studies are required to verify this mechanism and to inform sustainable water resources planning. Full article

Fourteen Ameletus species are recognized in the eastern Nearctic (south of the Artic zone), including six described as new. Keys to adult males and full-grown larvae are provided. Taxonomic decisions were based on morphologic and genetic evidence. Their justification is discussed in depth and four species groups are proposed. The vast majority of Ameletus encountered in the eastern Nearctic are members of one of three triploid, clonal parthenogenetic species, at least two of which are of hybrid origin. Bisexual progenitors of the parthenogens were inferred using a combination of mitochondrial and nuclear genetic markers. The parthenogens likely arose during the Late Pleistocene when glacial advances brought previously allopatric species/populations into contact, and as glaciers retreated the parthenogens rapidly expanded their range while the sexual lineages remained in presumed glacial refugia. Although parthenogenesis is relatively common in Ephemeroptera, these Ameletus represent the first known cases of polyploidy and hybrid origin. Full article

Understanding glacier and climate variations since pre-Industrial times is crucial for evaluating the present-day glacier response to climate change. Here, we focus on twelve small glaciers (≤2.0 km²) on both the northern and southern slopes of the Greater Caucasus to assess post-Little Ice Age glacier–climate fluctuations in this region. We reconstructed the Little Ice Age glacier extent using a manual detection method based on moraines. More recent glacier fluctuations were reconstructed using historical topographical maps and satellite imagery. Digital elevation models were used to estimate the topographic characteristics of glaciers. We also used the accumulation area ratio (AAR) method and a regional temperature lapse rate to reconstruct glacier snowlines and corresponding temperatures since the 1820s. The results show that all selected glaciers have experienced area loss, terminus retreat, and equilibrium line altitude (ELA) uplift over the last 200 years. The total area of the glaciers has decreased from 19.1 ± 0.9 km² in the 1820s to 9.7 ± 0.2 km² in 2020, representing a −49.2% loss, with an average annual reduction of −0.25%. The most dramatic reduction occurred between the 1960s and 2020, when the glacier area shrank by −35.5% or −0.59% yr⁻¹. The average terminus retreat for all selected glaciers was −1278 m (−6.4 m/yr⁻¹) during the last 200 years, while the average retreat over the past 60 years was −576 m (−9.6 m/yr⁻¹). AAR-based (0.6 ± 0.05) ELA reconstructions from all twelve glaciers suggest that the average ELA in the 1820s was about 180 m lower (3245 ± 50 m a.s.l.) than today (3425 ± 50 m a.s.l.), corresponding to surface air temperatures <1.1 ± 0.3 °C than today (2001–2020). The largest warming occurred between the 1960s and today, when snowlines rose by 105 m and air temperatures increased by <0.6 ± 0.3 °C. This study represents a first attempt at using glacier evidence to estimate climate changes in the Caucasus region since the Little Ice Age, and it can be used as a baseline for future studies. Full article

Glaciers are one of the most important water resources in the arid regions of Xinjiang, making it crucial to accurately monitor glacier changes for the region’s sustainable development. However, due to their typical distribution in remote, high-altitude areas, large-scale and long-term field observations are often constrained by the high costs of manpower, resources, and finances. Globally, fewer than 40 glaciers have been monitored for more than 20 years, and, in China, only Glacier No. 1 at the headwaters of the Urumqi River has monitoring records exceeding 50 years. To address these challenges, this study analyzed glacier changes in the Tomur Peak region of the Tianshan Mountains over the past 35 years using Landsat satellite imagery. Through experiments with deep learning models, the results show that the 3-4-5 band combination performed best for glacier boundary extraction. The DeepLabV3+ model, with MobileNetV2 as the backbone, achieved an overall accuracy of 90.44%, a recall rate of 82.75%, and a mean Intersection over Union (IoU) that was 1.6 to 5.94 percentage points higher than other models. Based on these findings, the study further analyzed glacier changes in the Tomur Peak region, revealing an average annual glacier reduction rate of 0.18% and a retreat rate of 6.97 km²·a⁻¹ over the past 35 years. This research provides a more precise and comprehensive scientific reference for understanding glacier changes in arid regions, with significant implications for enhancing our understanding of the impacts of climate change on glaciers, optimizing water resource management, and promoting regional sustainable development. Full article

Monitoring volumetric glacier change requires cost-effective and accessible methods to generate multi-temporal digital elevation models (DEMs). We present Planet4Stereo, an open-source photogrammetry pipeline developed to generate DEMs from low-cost PlanetScope images, exploiting the high temporal repetition rate of the constellation for stereo reconstruction. Our approach enables multi-temporal 3D change detection using the freely available NASA Ames Stereo Pipeline (ASP), making the pipeline particularly valuable for geoscientists. We applied Planet4Stereo in two case studies: the Shisper glacier (Karakoram, Pakistan) for surge investigation and the Bøverbrean glacier (Smørstabb Massif, Norway) for change detection. The results from Shisper are in good agreement with previous studies using the same images but proprietary methods. The accuracy of the DEM of Bøverbrean was evaluated using high-precision LiDAR data, revealing varying deviations across terrain types, with higher errors in steep shadowed areas. Additionally, the change detection analysis confirmed the expected glacier retreat. Our results show that Planet4Stereo produces DEMs with comparable accuracy to commercial software and is freely accessible and easy to use. As both ASP and the PlanetScope satellites evolve, future work could refine the pipeline’s stereo-matching capabilities and evaluate its performance with next-generation satellite data. Full article

The China–Pakistan economic corridor (CPEC) traverses the ecologically fragile and geologically hazardous Pamir plateau (PP), where glacier dynamics are critical for water resources and ecological stability. This study analyzes glacier changes in the PP segment of CPEC from 2000 to 2022 using Google Earth engine (GEE) and an improved glacier and snow cover extraction method. Results show that before CPEC’s initiation (2000–2014), glacier area fluctuated with an annual increase of 422 km², peaking in 2010. After 2015, glacier area declined continuously at 1000 km² per year, reaching a minimum in 2022. Snow cover also declined, especially post-2015. Glacier retreat was most severe in low-altitude regions, particularly in the eastern and southern PP, while higher altitudes (5000–7000 m) exhibited slower retreat. Climatic analysis reveals a strengthening negative correlation between temperature, evapotranspiration, and glacier area, indicating accelerated retreat due to global warming. These findings provide scientific support for ecological protection, water resource management, and geological hazard mitigation along CPEC. Full article