Scholarlink

<p>Climate change, meant to be changes in temperature and precipitation patterns over a longer period, may be due to natural as well as some anthropogenic factors. The Himalayan region frequently faces extreme events in the form of heat and cold waves, disturbed precipitation patterns and ecological disbalances. This region is facing a 0.2&#xa0;°C increase in temperature in a year, which is quite higher than the global mean temperature rise. The accelerated pace of global warming has triggered profound impacts on the Western Himalayan Glaciers (WHG) and induced the melting of glaciers, which have affected the well-being of the entire ecosystem for many decades. Glacier retreat causes rapid channelization of freshwater resources into rivers and streams, which disrupts the hydrological patterns because melt water induces changes in river physical properties (change in flow rate, volume, temperature), chemical characteristics (pH disruption, increased turbidity, oxygenation, and mineral enrichment), and ecological system (nutrients dynamics, algal bloom potential, disrupt biodiversity and hydrological processes). To a greater extent, anthropogenic activities are the main driver for these changes because they are responsible for heavy deforestation and an enormous emission of greenhouse gases and aerosols. Therefore, a comprehensive study of available data and scientific literature is made here to investigates the retreat of glaciers in the Western Himalayas regarding the drivers of melting and their ecological, hydrological, and socio-economic impacts. In this study, temperature data from the Climate Research Unit (CRU) and rainfall data from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) are analysed to look over the meteorological pattern over recent decades. However, major findings reveal that rising temperatures associated with global and localized warming, wind patterns, topographic position, and anthropogenic factors have led to melting of the Western Himalayan Glacier (WHG). This research underscores the urgent need for effective adaptation strategies and coordinated global action to mitigate the impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities and ecosystems in the region.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Declining Western Himalayan Glaciers: A Review of Climate-Induced Changes and Their Ecological Consequences

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年10月13日

查看全文
  • R. Bhatla,
  • Richa Singh

摘要

Climate change, meant to be changes in temperature and precipitation patterns over a longer period, may be due to natural as well as some anthropogenic factors. The Himalayan region frequently faces extreme events in the form of heat and cold waves, disturbed precipitation patterns and ecological disbalances. This region is facing a 0.2 °C increase in temperature in a year, which is quite higher than the global mean temperature rise. The accelerated pace of global warming has triggered profound impacts on the Western Himalayan Glaciers (WHG) and induced the melting of glaciers, which have affected the well-being of the entire ecosystem for many decades. Glacier retreat causes rapid channelization of freshwater resources into rivers and streams, which disrupts the hydrological patterns because melt water induces changes in river physical properties (change in flow rate, volume, temperature), chemical characteristics (pH disruption, increased turbidity, oxygenation, and mineral enrichment), and ecological system (nutrients dynamics, algal bloom potential, disrupt biodiversity and hydrological processes). To a greater extent, anthropogenic activities are the main driver for these changes because they are responsible for heavy deforestation and an enormous emission of greenhouse gases and aerosols. Therefore, a comprehensive study of available data and scientific literature is made here to investigates the retreat of glaciers in the Western Himalayas regarding the drivers of melting and their ecological, hydrological, and socio-economic impacts. In this study, temperature data from the Climate Research Unit (CRU) and rainfall data from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) are analysed to look over the meteorological pattern over recent decades. However, major findings reveal that rising temperatures associated with global and localized warming, wind patterns, topographic position, and anthropogenic factors have led to melting of the Western Himalayan Glacier (WHG). This research underscores the urgent need for effective adaptation strategies and coordinated global action to mitigate the impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities and ecosystems in the region.