Skip to main content
Top

2016 | OriginalPaper | Chapter

5. Spatial and Temporal Variability of Climate Change in High-Altitude Regions of NW Himalaya

Activate our intelligent search to find suitable subject content or patents.

search-config
loading …

Abstract

The high mountain areas such as the Alps, the Rockies, the Himalaya, etc. are considered as the “hotspots” over the surface of the earth where impacts of climate change are likely to be felt significantly. With regard to the Himalaya, their vulnerable ecosystem appears to have reacted to even the slightest possible changes in the temperature and precipitation conditions. The cascading effects of these changes on the vast expanse of water existing in the form of glacier ice and snow in the Himalaya, the forest cover, the health, and the socioeconomic conditions of the population inhabiting the Indo-Gangetic Plains have been the issues of serious concern.
The analyses of the temperature data collected manually at different observatories during the period from 1866 to 2012 show significant rate of warming during the winter season (1.4 °C/100 years) than the monsoon temperature (0.6 °C/100 years), due to rapid increase in both the maximum and minimum temperatures, with the maximum increasing much more rapidly. Annual rate of warming (1.1 °C/100 years) is abnormally higher than the global rate (about 0.7 °C/100 years) during this period. Not all regions of the north-western Himalaya (NWH) have reacted uniformly to the specter of climate change. Studies have confirmed significant spatial and temporal variations in magnitude of winter as well as summer warming in different ranges. While the windward side of the Pir Panjal and parts of the Greater Himalayan and Karakoram Ranges have shown statistically significant winter and summer warming, leeward sides of these ranges have not shown much change. The most remarkable finding of this study is the significant decreasing trend experienced at almost all stations above the equilibrium line (>5300 m in altitude) in winter warming as well as winter precipitation in higher reaches of the Karakoram Himalaya in the last three decades.
From the precipitation point of view, significant decreasing trends (at 95 % confidence level) in the monsoon and overall annual precipitation during the study period are indicated. In contrast, the winter precipitation has shown an increasing but statistically insignificant trend (at 95 % confidence level). Rising winter air temperatures have caused decreasing snowfall component and increasing rainfall component in total winter precipitation on the windward side of the Pir Panjal Range and parts of Greater Himalayan and the Karakoram Ranges. The analyses also show that although winter precipitation in the NWH has remained trendless in the last 140 years, there are significant increasing trends in the extreme snowfall events during winters and rainfall events during summers in Pir Panjal and Shamshawari Ranges in the last three decades and insignificant but increasing trends in the Great Himalayan and Karakoram Range. Decrease in winter snowfall amounts and increasing rainfall component at almost all stations have been affected to some extent by the increase in winter air temperature during this period.
The spatial and temporal variations in winter and summer warming and consequent precipitation changes in different ranges/regions of the NWH are attributed to varying scales of anthropogenic activities and growing urbanization of the areas. Decreasing temperatures in the last three decades in the Karakoram Himalaya with altitudes above the equilibrium line (>5300 m) are attributed to prevalence of permanent snow cover which appears to have influenced their microclimatology. These studies have significant bearing on the mass balance of the glaciers in the region and the hydrological behavior of various river systems in the Himalaya.

Dont have a licence yet? Then find out more about our products and how to get one now:

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 102.000 Bücher
  • über 537 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Automobil + Motoren
  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Elektrotechnik + Elektronik
  • Energie + Nachhaltigkeit
  • Finance + Banking
  • Management + Führung
  • Marketing + Vertrieb
  • Maschinenbau + Werkstoffe
  • Versicherung + Risiko

Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Springer Professional "Technik"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Technik" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 67.000 Bücher
  • über 390 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Automobil + Motoren
  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Elektrotechnik + Elektronik
  • Energie + Nachhaltigkeit
  • Maschinenbau + Werkstoffe




 

Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Literature
go back to reference Archer DR, Fowler HJ (2004) Spatial and temporal variations in precipitation in the Upper Indus Basin, global teleconnections and hydrological implications. Hydrol Earth Syst Sci 8(1):47–61CrossRef Archer DR, Fowler HJ (2004) Spatial and temporal variations in precipitation in the Upper Indus Basin, global teleconnections and hydrological implications. Hydrol Earth Syst Sci 8(1):47–61CrossRef
go back to reference Baines PG, Folland CK (2007) Evidence for rapid global climate shift across the late 1960s. J Climate 20:2721–2744CrossRef Baines PG, Folland CK (2007) Evidence for rapid global climate shift across the late 1960s. J Climate 20:2721–2744CrossRef
go back to reference Beniston M (1997) Variation of snow depth and duration in the Swiss Alps over the last 50 years: links to changes in large-scale climatic forcings. Clim Change 36:281–300CrossRef Beniston M (1997) Variation of snow depth and duration in the Swiss Alps over the last 50 years: links to changes in large-scale climatic forcings. Clim Change 36:281–300CrossRef
go back to reference Beniston M (2003) Climatic change in mountainous regions: a review of possible impacts. Clim Change 59:5–31CrossRef Beniston M (2003) Climatic change in mountainous regions: a review of possible impacts. Clim Change 59:5–31CrossRef
go back to reference Beniston M, Diaz FD, Bradley RS (1997) Climatic change at high elevation sites: an overview. Clim Change 36:233–251CrossRef Beniston M, Diaz FD, Bradley RS (1997) Climatic change at high elevation sites: an overview. Clim Change 36:233–251CrossRef
go back to reference Bhutiyani MR (1992) Avalanche problems in Nubra and Shyok valleys in Karakoram Himalaya, India. J Inst Mil Eng India 3:3–5 Bhutiyani MR (1992) Avalanche problems in Nubra and Shyok valleys in Karakoram Himalaya, India. J Inst Mil Eng India 3:3–5
go back to reference Bhutiyani MR, Kale VS, Pawar NJ (2000) Variations in Glacio-hydrological characteristics of some northwestern Himalayan river basins in this century. Proceedings of national seminar on geodynamics and environment management of Himalaya, pp 130–138 Bhutiyani MR, Kale VS, Pawar NJ (2000) Variations in Glacio-hydrological characteristics of some northwestern Himalayan river basins in this century. Proceedings of national seminar on geodynamics and environment management of Himalaya, pp 130–138
go back to reference Bhutiyani MR, Kale VS, Thakur DS, Gupta NK (2004) Variations in winter snowfall precipitation and snow depth patterns in the northwestern Himalaya in the last century: a fallout of global warming? Proceedings of international symposium on snow and its manifestations, Manali (India), 2004 Bhutiyani MR, Kale VS, Thakur DS, Gupta NK (2004) Variations in winter snowfall precipitation and snow depth patterns in the northwestern Himalaya in the last century: a fallout of global warming? Proceedings of international symposium on snow and its manifestations, Manali (India), 2004
go back to reference Bhutiyani MR, Kale VS, Pawar NJ (2007) Long-term trends in maximum, minimum and mean annual air temperatures across the northwestern Himalaya during the 20th century. Clim Change 85:159–177CrossRef Bhutiyani MR, Kale VS, Pawar NJ (2007) Long-term trends in maximum, minimum and mean annual air temperatures across the northwestern Himalaya during the 20th century. Clim Change 85:159–177CrossRef
go back to reference Bhutiyani MR, Kale VS, Pawar NJ (2008) Changing streamflow patterns in the rivers of northwestern Himalaya: implications of global warming in the 20th century. Curr Sci 95(5):618–626 Bhutiyani MR, Kale VS, Pawar NJ (2008) Changing streamflow patterns in the rivers of northwestern Himalaya: implications of global warming in the 20th century. Curr Sci 95(5):618–626
go back to reference Bhutiyani MR, Kale VS, Pawar NJ (2010) Climate change and the precipitation variations in the northwestern Himalaya: 1866–2006. Int J Climatol 30:535–548 Bhutiyani MR, Kale VS, Pawar NJ (2010) Climate change and the precipitation variations in the northwestern Himalaya: 1866–2006. Int J Climatol 30:535–548
go back to reference Borgaonkar HP, Pant GB (2001) Long-term climate variability over monsoon Asia as revealed by some proxy sources. Mausam 52:9–22 Borgaonkar HP, Pant GB (2001) Long-term climate variability over monsoon Asia as revealed by some proxy sources. Mausam 52:9–22
go back to reference Borgaonkar HP, Pant GB, Rupa Kumar K (1996) Ring-width variations in Cedrus deodara and its climatic response over the western Himalaya. Int J Climatol 16:1409–1422CrossRef Borgaonkar HP, Pant GB, Rupa Kumar K (1996) Ring-width variations in Cedrus deodara and its climatic response over the western Himalaya. Int J Climatol 16:1409–1422CrossRef
go back to reference Brown RD (1997) Historical variability in North Hemisphere spring snow covered area. Ann Glaciol 25:340–346 Brown RD (1997) Historical variability in North Hemisphere spring snow covered area. Ann Glaciol 25:340–346
go back to reference Brown RD (2002) Reconstructed North American, Eurasian, and Northern Hemisphere snow cover extent, 1915–1997. National Snow and Ice Data Center. Digital Media, Boulder Brown RD (2002) Reconstructed North American, Eurasian, and Northern Hemisphere snow cover extent, 1915–1997. National Snow and Ice Data Center. Digital Media, Boulder
go back to reference Brown RD, Petkova N (2007) Snowcover variability in Bulgarian mountainous regions. Int J Climatol 27:1215–1229CrossRef Brown RD, Petkova N (2007) Snowcover variability in Bulgarian mountainous regions. Int J Climatol 27:1215–1229CrossRef
go back to reference Brown TB, Barry RG, Doesken NJ (1992) An exploratory study of temperature trends for Colorado Paired Mountain-High plains Stations. American Meteorological Society sixth conference on mountain meteorology, Portland, OR, pp 181–184 Brown TB, Barry RG, Doesken NJ (1992) An exploratory study of temperature trends for Colorado Paired Mountain-High plains Stations. American Meteorological Society sixth conference on mountain meteorology, Portland, OR, pp 181–184
go back to reference Crowley TJ (2000) Causes of climate change over the past 1000 years. Science 289:270–276CrossRef Crowley TJ (2000) Causes of climate change over the past 1000 years. Science 289:270–276CrossRef
go back to reference Diaz HF, Bradley RS (1997) Temperature variations during the last century at high elevation sites. Clim Change 36:253–279CrossRef Diaz HF, Bradley RS (1997) Temperature variations during the last century at high elevation sites. Clim Change 36:253–279CrossRef
go back to reference Diaz HF, Grosjean M, Graumlich L (2003) Climate variability and change in high elevation regions: past, present and future. Clim Change 59:1–4CrossRef Diaz HF, Grosjean M, Graumlich L (2003) Climate variability and change in high elevation regions: past, present and future. Clim Change 59:1–4CrossRef
go back to reference Dimri AP, Dash SK (2012) Wintertime climatic trends in the western Himalayas. Clim Change 111(3–4):775–800CrossRef Dimri AP, Dash SK (2012) Wintertime climatic trends in the western Himalayas. Clim Change 111(3–4):775–800CrossRef
go back to reference Easterling DR, Horton B, Jones PD, Peterson TC, Karl TR, Parker DE, Salinger JM, Razuvzyev V, Plummer N, Jamason P, Folland CK (1997) Maximum and minimum temperature trends for the globe. Science 227:364–365CrossRef Easterling DR, Horton B, Jones PD, Peterson TC, Karl TR, Parker DE, Salinger JM, Razuvzyev V, Plummer N, Jamason P, Folland CK (1997) Maximum and minimum temperature trends for the globe. Science 227:364–365CrossRef
go back to reference Fallot JM, Barry RG, Hoogstrate D (1997) Variation of mean cold season temperature, precipitation and Snow depths during the last 100 years in the former depths during the last 100 years in the former Soviet Union (FSU). Hydrol Sci J 42:301–327CrossRef Fallot JM, Barry RG, Hoogstrate D (1997) Variation of mean cold season temperature, precipitation and Snow depths during the last 100 years in the former depths during the last 100 years in the former Soviet Union (FSU). Hydrol Sci J 42:301–327CrossRef
go back to reference Fowler HJ, Archer DR (2006) Conflicting signals of climatic change in the Upper Indus Basin. J Climate 19:4276–4293CrossRef Fowler HJ, Archer DR (2006) Conflicting signals of climatic change in the Upper Indus Basin. J Climate 19:4276–4293CrossRef
go back to reference Karl TR, Knight RW, Plummer N (1995) Trends in high frequency climate variability in the twentieth century. Nature 377:217–220CrossRef Karl TR, Knight RW, Plummer N (1995) Trends in high frequency climate variability in the twentieth century. Nature 377:217–220CrossRef
go back to reference Krishna Kumar K, Rajgopalan B, Cane MK (1999) On the weakening relationship between the Indian Monsoon and ENSO. Science 284:2156–2159CrossRef Krishna Kumar K, Rajgopalan B, Cane MK (1999) On the weakening relationship between the Indian Monsoon and ENSO. Science 284:2156–2159CrossRef
go back to reference Laternser M, Schneebeli M (2003) Long-term snow climate trends of the Swiss Alps (1931–99). Int J Climatol 23:733–750CrossRef Laternser M, Schneebeli M (2003) Long-term snow climate trends of the Swiss Alps (1931–99). Int J Climatol 23:733–750CrossRef
go back to reference Li C, Tang M (1986) Changes of air temperature of Qinghai–Xizang plateau and its neighbourhood in the past 30 years. Plateau Meteorol 5:322–341 Li C, Tang M (1986) Changes of air temperature of Qinghai–Xizang plateau and its neighbourhood in the past 30 years. Plateau Meteorol 5:322–341
go back to reference Liu X, Chen H (2000) Climatic warming in the Tibetan Plateau during recent decades. Int J Climatol 20:1729–1742CrossRef Liu X, Chen H (2000) Climatic warming in the Tibetan Plateau during recent decades. Int J Climatol 20:1729–1742CrossRef
go back to reference Mohan Rao N, Rangachary N, Kumar V, Verdhan A (1987) Some aspects of snow cover development and avalanche formation in Indian Himalaya. Proceedings of Davos symposium on avalanche formation, movement and effects. IAHS Publication No. 162, pp 453–462 Mohan Rao N, Rangachary N, Kumar V, Verdhan A (1987) Some aspects of snow cover development and avalanche formation in Indian Himalaya. Proceedings of Davos symposium on avalanche formation, movement and effects. IAHS Publication No. 162, pp 453–462
go back to reference Nakamura T, Shimizu M (1996) Variation of snow, winter precipitation and winter air temperature during the last century at Nagaoka, Japan. J Glaciol 42:136–140 Nakamura T, Shimizu M (1996) Variation of snow, winter precipitation and winter air temperature during the last century at Nagaoka, Japan. J Glaciol 42:136–140
go back to reference Pant GB, Borgaonkar HP (1984) Climate of the hill regions of Uttar Pradesh. Himal Res Dev 3:13–20 Pant GB, Borgaonkar HP (1984) Climate of the hill regions of Uttar Pradesh. Himal Res Dev 3:13–20
go back to reference Petkova N, Koleva E, Alexandrov V (2004) Snowcover variability and change in mountainous regions of Bulgaria, 1931–2000. Meteorol Z 13:19–23CrossRef Petkova N, Koleva E, Alexandrov V (2004) Snowcover variability and change in mountainous regions of Bulgaria, 1931–2000. Meteorol Z 13:19–23CrossRef
go back to reference Rakhlecha PR, Kulkarni AK, Mandal BN, Dhar ON (1983) Winter and spring precipitation over the northwestern Himalaya. Proceedings of the first national symposium on seasonal snow cover, New Delhi, vol 2, pp 175–181 Rakhlecha PR, Kulkarni AK, Mandal BN, Dhar ON (1983) Winter and spring precipitation over the northwestern Himalaya. Proceedings of the first national symposium on seasonal snow cover, New Delhi, vol 2, pp 175–181
go back to reference Rebetez M (2004) Summer 2003 maximum and minimum daily temperature over a 3300 m altitudinal range in the Alps. Climate Res 27:45–50CrossRef Rebetez M (2004) Summer 2003 maximum and minimum daily temperature over a 3300 m altitudinal range in the Alps. Climate Res 27:45–50CrossRef
go back to reference Seko K, Takahashi S (1991) Characteristics of winter precipitation and its effects on glaciers in Nepal Himalaya. Bull Glacier Res 9:9–16 Seko K, Takahashi S (1991) Characteristics of winter precipitation and its effects on glaciers in Nepal Himalaya. Bull Glacier Res 9:9–16
go back to reference Sharma KP, Moore B III, Vorosmarty CJ (2000) Anthropogenic, climatic and hydrologic trends in the Kosi Basin, Himalaya. Clim Chang 47:141–165CrossRef Sharma KP, Moore B III, Vorosmarty CJ (2000) Anthropogenic, climatic and hydrologic trends in the Kosi Basin, Himalaya. Clim Chang 47:141–165CrossRef
go back to reference Shekhar MS, Chand H, Kumar S, Srinivasan K, Ganju A (2010) Climate-change studies in the western Himalaya. Ann Glaciol 51(54):105–112(8)CrossRef Shekhar MS, Chand H, Kumar S, Srinivasan K, Ganju A (2010) Climate-change studies in the western Himalaya. Ann Glaciol 51(54):105–112(8)CrossRef
go back to reference Shreshtha AB, Wake CP, Dibb JE, Mayewski PA (2000) Precipitation fluctuations in the Nepal Himalaya and its vicinity and relationship with some large-scale climatological parameters. Int J Climatol 20:317–327CrossRef Shreshtha AB, Wake CP, Dibb JE, Mayewski PA (2000) Precipitation fluctuations in the Nepal Himalaya and its vicinity and relationship with some large-scale climatological parameters. Int J Climatol 20:317–327CrossRef
go back to reference Srivastava HN, Dewan BN, Dikshit SK, PrakashaRao GS, Singh SS, Rao KR (1992) Decadal trends in climate over India. Mausam 43:7–20 Srivastava HN, Dewan BN, Dikshit SK, PrakashaRao GS, Singh SS, Rao KR (1992) Decadal trends in climate over India. Mausam 43:7–20
go back to reference Thapliyal V, Kulshrestha SM (1991) Decadal changes and trends over India. Mausam 42:333–338 Thapliyal V, Kulshrestha SM (1991) Decadal changes and trends over India. Mausam 42:333–338
go back to reference Thompson LG, Yao T, Mosley-Thompson E, Davis ME, Henderson KA, Lin PN (2000) A high-resolution millennial record of the South Asian monsoon from Himalayan ice cores. Science 289:16–19CrossRef Thompson LG, Yao T, Mosley-Thompson E, Davis ME, Henderson KA, Lin PN (2000) A high-resolution millennial record of the South Asian monsoon from Himalayan ice cores. Science 289:16–19CrossRef
go back to reference Yadav RR, Park W-K, Singh J, Dubey B (2004) Do the western Himalaya defy global warming? Geophys Res Lett 31:L17201CrossRef Yadav RR, Park W-K, Singh J, Dubey B (2004) Do the western Himalaya defy global warming? Geophys Res Lett 31:L17201CrossRef
go back to reference Zhai P, Sun A, Ren F, Xiaonin L, Gao B, Zhang Q (1999) Changes in climate extreme in China. Clim Chang 42:203–218CrossRef Zhai P, Sun A, Ren F, Xiaonin L, Gao B, Zhang Q (1999) Changes in climate extreme in China. Clim Chang 42:203–218CrossRef
Metadata
Title
Spatial and Temporal Variability of Climate Change in High-Altitude Regions of NW Himalaya
Author
M. R. Bhutiyani
Copyright Year
2016
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-28977-9_5