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Extensive retreats and loss of ice mass documented by Chinese researchers
The north face of Mount Everest as seen from the path to the base camp in Tibet Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China. PHOTO BY LUCA GALUZZI VIA THE CREATIVE COMMONS.
By Summit Voice
Significant increases in annual temperatures are having a devastating affect on glaciers in the mountainous regions of south-western China, potentially affecting natural habitats, tourism and wider economic development, according to scientists who took a close look at temperature records from 111 weather stations across southwestern China.
The study shows that temperatures increased at 77 percent of the sites, reflecting a statistically significant warming trend between 1961 and 2008.
“I think glacial loss is caused mainly by rises in temperature, especially in the high altitude regions,” said lead author Dr.Zongxing. “From the 14 weather stations above 4000 meters, there was an annual mean temperature increase of 1.73 degrees Celsius from 1961 to 2008. It is imperative we determine the relationship between climate change and glacier variations, particularly the role of precipitation, as the consequences of glacial retreat are far reaching,” he added.
The researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences collated a broad range of research on glaciers during this time period and identified three characteristics that were consistent with the increasing trend in temperature; drastic retreats were observed in the glacial regions, along with large losses of mass and an increase in the area of glacial lakes.
In the Pengqu basin of the Himalayas, for example, the 999 glaciers had a combined area loss of 131 km2 between 1970 and 2001, whilst the Yalong glacier in the Gangrigabu Mountains retreated over 1500 meters from 1980 to 2001.
The implications of these changes are far more serious than simply altering the landscape; glaciers are an integral part of thousands of ecosystems and play a crucial role in sustaining human populations.
Continued widespread melting of glaciers, caused by increasing temperatures, could potentially lead to floods, mudflows and rock falls, affecting traffic, tourism and wider economic development.
Southwestern China has 23,488 glaciers, covering an area of 29,523 square across the Himalayas and the Nyainqntanglha, Tanggula and Hengduan mountains.
Along with temperature, the researchers also investigated precipitation; however the results were less marked. Annual increasing precipitation is consistent with climate change and was observed in 53 per cent of the stations. A decrease in annual precipitation can also influence glacial retreat and this was observed in central regions of the Himalayas.
Filed under: climate and weather, Environment, global warming, Summit County news Tagged: | China, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Environment, global warming, Hengduan Mountains, Himalaya glaciers, Southwest China
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I read yesterday that China is heeding the climate changing taking place, that they are not going to follow the resistance that is the stand in the U.S. today. Though there are many glaciers there, the fact that down range, people depend on the water they produce for living, means catastrophic events may result from not addressing the situation. Good science seems to be the norm that China is taking on this issue. All things considered, the arrogance seems to be missing in their equation.
Alright Bob. You need someone to proof-read your articles that has basic logic skills. Paragraph 3… 1.73 annual increase from 1961-2008. That’s 47 years x 1.73 = 81.31 degrees. I am certain there would be catastrophic changes already if that were remotely close to factual. Maybe you mountain folk need to come down from there and let some oxygen get to your brains.
That was a direct quote so I couldn’t change it and I read it to mean a total 1.73 Celsius degree increase from 1961 to 2008. Something got lost in the translation, but I agree, it’s not very clear.