What induces the spatiotemporal variability of glacier mass balance across the Qilian Mountains

Zhu, Meilin; Thompson, Lonnie G.; Wang, Sheng; Yang, Wei; Zhao, Huabiao

doi:10.1007/s00382-022-06283-4

Cited by 18 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 105 publications

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“…In Ref. [80], according to the study, negative glacier mass was the result of temperature fluctuations and a decrease in precipitation recharge during the snowmelt season. In Ref.…”

Section: Spatial and Temporal Changes In The Risk Profile Of Desertif...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of Land Desertification and Its Drivers in Semi-Arid Alpine Mountains: A Case Study of the Qilian Mountains Region, Northwest China

Liu

Deng³

et al. 2023

Remote Sensing

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Land desertification associated with climate change and human activities significantly impacts ecosystem functioning in semi-arid alpine mountains. However, accurately revealing the state of desertification risk and the drivers of its evolution is frequently difficult, especially in the semi-arid alpine mountains. A new theoretical framework that combined qualitative and quantitative concepts has been developed to enhance ecological risk assessment in semi-arid alpine mountains and reveal the causes of desertification. The PSR model, multi-layer hierarchical theory, hierarchical analysis, inverse cloud generating principles, field surveys, structured questionnaires, and remote sensing techniques are all combined in this method. Our results showed that the risk of desertification in the study area exhibited a fluctuating trend between 2000 and 2020, with a period of decrease, followed by an increase, and then a subsequent decrease. However, the risk status remained overall stable, remaining at a light desertification level during the entire period. Desertification risk is driven primarily by climate warming and humidification, which can cause the melting of ice/snow. Additionally, increased rainfall and freeze–thaw cycles can enhance soil erosion, further exacerbating the risk. Conversely, the implementation of environmental protection projects, such as the establishment of protected areas, efforts to restore forests and grasslands, and initiatives to conserve soil and water, has been effective in limiting the increase in desertification risk. These efforts serve as a counterforce to the negative impacts of climate change and human activity, highlighting the beneficial effects of human intervention in preventing desertification. High-altitude, high-topographic relief places have considerable desertification risk, mainly in the alpine desert. Due to geography, grazing, rodent and pest infestation, and wildlife, there is still a risk of desertification expanding in low elevation areas. There will be a greater urgency in the future to enhance the management of anthropogenic activities in the local environment in order to handle the growing threat of desertification caused by climate change. This study combined the interactions of the natural environment and human activities, filled a research gap in assessing desertification risk, and revealed its driving mechanisms, as well as provided a theoretical foundation for improving the integrity and sustainability of ecosystems in semi-arid alpine regions and elsewhere.

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“…In Ref. [80], according to the study, negative glacier mass was the result of temperature fluctuations and a decrease in precipitation recharge during the snowmelt season. In Ref.…”

Section: Spatial and Temporal Changes In The Risk Profile Of Desertif...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of Land Desertification and Its Drivers in Semi-Arid Alpine Mountains: A Case Study of the Qilian Mountains Region, Northwest China

Liu

Deng³

et al. 2023

Remote Sensing

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“…Consequently, a significant amount of surface runoff is generated in the region. Studies have indicated that the QMR has undergone an accelerated loss of glacial mass since the 21st century [67,68]. Consequently, there has been a significant rise in both surface and subsurface runoff from the QMR.…”

Section: Driving Mechanism Of Slwb Changesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Spatio-Temporal Changes of Small Lakes of the Qilian Mountains from 1987 to 2020 and Their Driving Mechanisms

Zhang

Chen

et al. 2023

Remote Sensing

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Small lakes (areas ranging from 0.01 km2 to 1 km2) are highly sensitive to climate change and human activities. However, few studies have investigated the long-term intra-annual trends in the number and area of small lakes and their driving mechanisms in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP). As a significant water tower in northwest China, the Qilian Mountains region (QMR) in the QTP is essential for sustaining regional industrial and agricultural production, biodiversity, and human well-being. We conducted an analysis of the dynamics of small lakes in the QMR region. In this study, we employed Geodetector and examined nine factors to investigate the driving mechanisms behind the long-term variations in the small lake water bodies (SLWBs). We specifically focused on understanding the effects of single-factor and two-factor interactions. The results indicate that the number and area of small lakes had a fluctuating trend from 1987 to 2020. Initially, there was a decrease followed by an increase, which was generally consistent with trends in the large lakes on the QTP. All basins had far more expanding than shrinking lakes. The area of seasonal SLWBs in each basin was increasing more rapidly than permanent SLWBs. The distribution and trends in the area and number of small lakes varied widely across elevation zones. Runoff, snow depth, and temperature contributed the most to SLWB changes. Human activities and wind speed contributed the least. However, the main drivers varied across basins. The impact of two-factor interactions on SLWB changes in basins was greater than that of single factors. Our results provide useful information for planning and managing water resources and studies of small lakes.

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“…They are also an important ecological barrier of the northwest region of China. In recent years, the glaciers in the Qilian Mountains have shown massive volume losses, with the contribution rate of glacier melt runoff being over the critical point [16,17]. In the Qilian mountains, there are 2683 glaciers that are 1597.81 km 2 in area and 84.48 km 3 in volume [18].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dynamic Monitoring of Laohugou Glacier No. 12 with a Drone, West Qilian Mountains, West China

et al. 2022

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Laohugou glacier No. 12 (LHG12), located in the northeast of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, is the largest valley glacier in the Qilian mountains. Since 1957, LHG12 has shrunk significantly. Due to the limitations of in situ observations, simulations and investigations of LHG12 have higher levels of uncertainty. In this study, consumer-level, low-altitude microdrones were used to conduct repeated photogrammetry at the lower part of LHG12, and a digital orthophoto map (DOM) and a digital surface model (DSM) with a resolution at the centimeter scale were generated, from 2017 to 2021. The dynamic parameters of the glacier were detected by artificial and automatic extraction methods. Using a combination of GNSS and drone-based data, the dynamic process of LHG12 was analyzed. The results show that the terminus of LHG12 has retreated by 194.35 m in total and by 19.44 m a−1 on average during 2008–2021. The differential ablation leading to terminus retreat distance markedly increased during the study period. In 2019–2021, the maximum annual surface velocity was 6.50 cm day−1, and during ablation season, the maximum surface velocity was 13.59 cm day−1, 52.17% higher than it is annually. The surface parameters, motion, and mass balance characteristics of the glacier had significant differences between the west and east branches. The movement in the west branch is faster than it is in the east branch. Because of the extrusion of the two ice flows, there is a region with a faster surface velocity at the ablation area. The ice thickness of LHG12 is decreasing due to intensified ablation, leading to a deceleration in the surface velocity. In large glaciers, this phenomenon is more obvious than it is in small glaciers in the Qilian mountains.

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What induces the spatiotemporal variability of glacier mass balance across the Qilian Mountains

Cited by 18 publications

References 105 publications

Assessment of Land Desertification and Its Drivers in Semi-Arid Alpine Mountains: A Case Study of the Qilian Mountains Region, Northwest China

Assessment of Land Desertification and Its Drivers in Semi-Arid Alpine Mountains: A Case Study of the Qilian Mountains Region, Northwest China

The Spatio-Temporal Changes of Small Lakes of the Qilian Mountains from 1987 to 2020 and Their Driving Mechanisms

Dynamic Monitoring of Laohugou Glacier No. 12 with a Drone, West Qilian Mountains, West China

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