[GLIMS] FW: Announcement: Three New Reports Launched on Mountain Day, Durban, South Africa

Tue Dec 20 23:05:30 MST 2011

From: Samjwal Bajracharya
Sent: Wednesday, December 21, 2011 11:48 AM
To: 'glims at nsidc.org.'
Subject: FW: Announcement: Three New Reports Launched on Mountain Day, Durban, South Africa

Dear Friends,
ICIMOD is pleased to share the following three new reports that were launched on Mountain Day <www.icimod.org/mountainday<http://www.icimod.org/mountainday>> at Durban, South Africa on 4 December 2011. Hard copies can be requested through the Books Online link or from our Distribution Unit at distri at icimod.org<mailto:distri at icimod.org> .

The Status of Glaciers in the Hindu Kush-Himalayan Region
Samjwal Ratna Bajracharya, Basanta Shrestha
http://www.icimod.org/publications/index.php/search/publication/775

[cid:image002.jpg at 01CCBFD6.BD0E7690]The cryosphere plays a significant role in the regional climatic system and is a sensitive indicator of global climate change, but to date there has been a marked lack of consistent, long-term information on glaciers and snow cover in the Hindu Kush-Himalayan (HKH) region to support assessments and analysis. This publication offers the first consistent and comprehensive account of the glacier coverage of the entire HKH region, based on a standardised analysis of satellite images (Landsat ETM+) from around the year 2005, in combination with Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) digital elevation models and the use of a consistent semi-automated methodology. The data are analysed for the region's ten major river basins and their sub-basins. The glaciers in the region were found to number more than 54,000, covering an area of 60,000 km2. Glaciers were analysed for area, elevation range, slope, and aspect. In addition, 28,500 glaciers with a total area of 32,000 km2 were analysed for debris cover, morphology, and hypsometry. The report represents a significant first step in filling the gap in information on the glaciers of the Hindu Kush-Himalayan region. The data are expected to support regional level assessments and the development of strategies and policies in the context of climate change, and will also contribute to increased understanding of the impacts of climate change on glaciers and the implications for the mountain ecosystem and for water availability in the downstream countries

Snow-Cover Mapping and Monitoring in the Hindu Kush-Himalayas
Deo Raj Gurung, Amarnath Giriraj, Khun San Aung, Basanta Shrestha, Anil V Kulkarni
http://www.icimod.org/publications/index.php/search/publication/774

[cid:image004.jpg at 01CCBFD6.BD0E7690]Snow is an important component of the cryosphere, and the study of snow trends is essential for understanding regional climate change and for managing water resources. Changes in the snow budget have socioeconomic and environmental implications for agriculture, water-based industries, environment, land management, water supplies, and many others. To date, however, few scientific studies have been available to support a general perception of decline in seasonal snow cover in the Hindu Kush-Himalayan (HKH) region. 'Snow-Cover Mapping and Monitoring in the Hindu Kush-Himalayas' is the first comprehensive status report of snow cover in the HKH region. It analyses information from ICIMOD's regional snow cover monitoring scheme, which is compiled in a database containing snow cover data for the whole region from 2000 to the present, updated weekly. The analysis is based on decadal (2000-2010) 8-day, 500 m spatial resolution snow images recorded by moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS). The report analyses snow cover trends for the decade based on season, altitude, and region. It describes interannual and intra-annual trends for different parts of the region (west, central, and east) and the ten major river basins. As the data cover only one decade, they are not sufficient to yield statistically significant trends. However, there is an indication of an overall decrease in snow cover over the decade in the central HKH region and overall, and a slight increase in the western and eastern parts of the region. The report, and the database on which it is based, will help bridge the data and information gap on snow cover and support further research initiatives. Such information is also useful for planners and policy makers in formulating policies related to climate change and the downstream consequences for water resources.

Climate Change in the Hindu Kush-Himalayas: The State of Current Knowledge
Surendra P Singh, Isabella Bassingnana-Khadka, Bhaskar Singh Karky, Eklabya Sharma
http://www.icimod.org/publications/index.php/search/publication/773

[cid:image006.jpg at 01CCBFD6.BD0E7690]
The Hindu Kush-Himalayan (HKH) region is one of the most ecologically sensitive and fragile areas in the world. In all likelihood, the effects of climate change will become evident here first and with the greatest intensity. This report synthesises the present knowledge about the consequences that climate change could have for the region. This thorough review of the existing literature, based on over 360 references, was prepared in consultation with more than 80 leading experts from the region and abroad. To identify and bridge gaps in climate change related knowledge for the HKH, leading experts in climatology, hydrology, environmental science, and other climate-related fields from across and beyond the region gathered at an Authors' Workshop in Kathmandu on 18 and 19 August 2011. The workshop presentations and discussions form the backbone of this report, fleshed out with additional literature. Rigorous review sought to ensure a thorough and relevant report. The report captures the cutting-edge knowledge from the region in three major areas: climate and hydrology; biodiversity and ecosystems; and atmospheric changes. It also indicates gaps in knowledge and shows a way forward for systematic data acquisition and data sharing in the areas of biophysical observation, socioeconomic analysis, and policy research. This report not only should be of interest to planners and policy makers in the region, but should also provide vital inputs into global climate change negotiations.

Happy reading!

With Warm Season's Greetings,
Nira

[cid:image008.jpg at 01CCBE37.26F4ADF0]<http://www.icimod.org/>
Nira Gurung
Communications Officer, Knowledge Management
International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development
GPO Box 3226, Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel +977-1-5003222 Ext 115 Fax +977-1-5003277 Web www.icimod.org<http://www.icimod.org/>
Connect to ICIMOD: [cid:image009.jpg at 01CCBE37.26F4ADF0] <http://www.facebook.com/icimod>   [cid:image010.jpg at 01CCBE37.26F4ADF0] <http://www.twitter.com/icimod>   [cid:image011.jpg at 01CCBE37.26F4ADF0] <http://www.youtube.com/icimod>   [cid:image012.jpg at 01CCBE37.26F4ADF0] <http://www.icimod.org/enews>

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://nsidc.org/pipermail/glims/attachments/20111221/02521841/attachment.html>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image001.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 238411 bytes
Desc: image001.jpg
URL: <https://nsidc.org/pipermail/glims/attachments/20111221/02521841/attachment.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image003.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 202511 bytes
Desc: image003.jpg
URL: <https://nsidc.org/pipermail/glims/attachments/20111221/02521841/attachment-0001.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image005.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 103895 bytes
Desc: image005.jpg
URL: <https://nsidc.org/pipermail/glims/attachments/20111221/02521841/attachment-0002.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image007.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 8479 bytes
Desc: image007.jpg
URL: <https://nsidc.org/pipermail/glims/attachments/20111221/02521841/attachment-0003.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image008.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 6753 bytes
Desc: image008.jpg
URL: <https://nsidc.org/pipermail/glims/attachments/20111221/02521841/attachment-0004.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image009.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 1131 bytes
Desc: image009.jpg
URL: <https://nsidc.org/pipermail/glims/attachments/20111221/02521841/attachment-0005.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image010.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 1204 bytes
Desc: image010.jpg
URL: <https://nsidc.org/pipermail/glims/attachments/20111221/02521841/attachment-0006.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image011.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 1102 bytes
Desc: image011.jpg
URL: <https://nsidc.org/pipermail/glims/attachments/20111221/02521841/attachment-0007.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image012.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 1775 bytes
Desc: image012.jpg
URL: <https://nsidc.org/pipermail/glims/attachments/20111221/02521841/attachment-0008.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image002.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 7578 bytes
Desc: image002.jpg
URL: <https://nsidc.org/pipermail/glims/attachments/20111221/02521841/attachment-0009.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image004.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 8080 bytes
Desc: image004.jpg
URL: <https://nsidc.org/pipermail/glims/attachments/20111221/02521841/attachment-0010.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image006.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 3990 bytes
Desc: image006.jpg
URL: <https://nsidc.org/pipermail/glims/attachments/20111221/02521841/attachment-0011.jpg>