The need for stewardship of lands exposed by deglaciation from climate change

Abstract

Alpine glaciers worldwide will lose most of their volume by the end of the 21st century, placing alpine ecosystems and human populations at risk. The new lands that emerge from retreating glaciers provide a host of challenges for ecological and human adaptation to climate change. In these novel proglacial landscapes, ecological succession and natural hazards interplay with local agriculture, hydroelectric production, mining activities, and tourism. Research has emphasized the importance of understanding adaptation around socio‐environmental systems, but regional and global management efforts that support local initiatives and connect novel proglacial landscapes to ecological, social, and cultural conservation opportunities are rare and nascent. The characteristics of these emerging lands reflect the nexus of alpine ecosystems with socio‐political histories. Often overlooked in glacial‐influenced systems are the interdependencies, feedbacks, and tradeoffs between these biophysical systems and local populations. There is no coordinated strategy to manage and anticipate these shifting dynamics, while affirming local practices and contexts. There is an opportunity to initiate a new conversation and co‐create a governance structure around these novel landscapes and develop a new framework suitable to the Anthropocene era. This article first synthesizes the rapid socio‐environmental changes that are occurring in proglacial landscapes. Second, we consider the need for integrating “bottom‐up” with “top‐down” approaches for the sustainable management of proglacial landscapes. Finally, we propose establishing a transdisciplinary initiative with policy‐related goals to further dialogues around the governance and sustainable management of proglacial landscapes. We call for increased cooperation between actors, sectors, and regions, favoring multiscale and integrated approaches. This article is categorized under: Climate, Ecology, and Conservation > Conservation Strategies

Glacier tourism without ice: Envisioning future adaptations in a melting world

“…However, tourism activities could conflict with other interests, such as hydropower, in such scenarios. Moreover, the need to protect these sensitive areas will require, among other things, sustainable adaptation and management (Zimmer et al, 2022). These scenarios, although futuristic, can help us imagine future possibilities and stimulate debate on the ethical, theoretical, and conceptual issues raised by the disappearance of glaciers in the context of glacial tourism.…”

Planning for Climate Change Impacts on Geoheritage Interests in Protected and Conserved Areas

“…Briefly, active process interests may become more or less dynamic, processes may change entirely or cease to operate, while new landscapes may emerge (e.g. in proglacial areas as glaciers retreat and disappear; Reynard 2021; Zimmer et al 2021). Some geomorphological systems may become more dynamic as the magnitude and frequency of storms and rainfall events increase, resulting in enhanced soil erosion, debris flows, landslides and transfer of sediment into rivers, whereas others may become moribund under warmer or drier climates (e.g.…”

Llamas (Llama glama) enhance novel proglacial ecosystem development: an experimental approach in the Cordillera Blanca, Peru

“…The globally most discussed socio-environmental challenges connected to glacier retreat include natural hazards, water use competition, local agriculture, hydroelectricity, mining, and tourism 43 . Thus, questions about adaptation and risk reduction are paramount.…”

“…The establishment and organization of novel proglacial systems is a key concern for adaptation to glacier retreat in future -and existing-glacier-free valleys. We urgently need to uncover mechanisms that could leapfrog the main limitations of proglacial ecosystem development and overcome these existing and growing socio-environmental challenges 43,44 .…”