Hydrological response to climate change in a glacierized catchment in the Himalayas
Open access
Date
2012-02Type
- Journal Article
ETH Bibliography
yes
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Abstract
The analysis of climate change impact on the hydrology of high altitude glacierized catchments in the Himalayas is complex due to the high variability in climate, lack of data, large uncertainties in climate change projection and uncertainty about the response of glaciers. Therefore a high resolution combined cryospheric hydrological model was developed and calibrated that explicitly simulates glacier evolution and all major hydrological processes. The model was used to assess the future development of the glaciers and the runoff using an ensemble of downscaled climate model data in the Langtang catchment in Nepal. The analysis shows that both temperature and precipitation are projected to increase which results in a steady decline of the glacier area. The river flow is projected to increase significantly due to the increased precipitation and ice melt and the transition towards a rain river. Rain runoff and base flow will increase at the expense of glacier runoff. However, as the melt water peak coincides with the monsoon peak, no shifts in the hydrograph are expected. Show more
Permanent link
https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000040538Publication status
publishedExternal links
Journal / series
Climatic ChangeVolume
Pages / Article No.
Publisher
SpringerOrganisational unit
03473 - Burlando, Paolo / Burlando, Paolo
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ETH Bibliography
yes
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