Cryosphere And Environmental Change

This is the first textbook to consider all aspects of thecryosphere system in the context of global environmental changedriven by human activity and climate. Considers all six aspects of the cryosphere – ice sheets,glacier ice, permafrost, river and lake ice, sea ice and snow– in the context of global environmental change driven byhuman activity and climate. Describes a new concept of cryosphere transience and landscapetransition which links climate, hydrology, ecology andgeomorphology. Looks at the evidence, process, and patterns of cryospherechange, on local and global scales. Provides a wealth of data to inform the current globalenvironmental change debate. Additional resources for this book can be found at: ahref="http://bcs.wiley.com/he-bcs/Books?action=index&bcsId=5064&itemId=140512976X"http://bcs.wiley.com/he-bcs/Books?action=index&bcsId=5064&itemId=140512976X/a.

The cryosphere is that portion of the Earth's surface where water is in solid form. This includes sea ice, river ice, glaciers, permafrost, etc. The cryosphere is an integral part of the climate system with feedbacks and linkages with clouds, moisture fluxes, atmospheric and oceanic circulation. Various physical properties of snow and ice affect the energy exchanges between the surface and the atmosphere. Some of these properties include surface reflectance, thermal diffusivity, latent heat, etc. The environmental change observed in terms of global warming results in major changes to the partitioning of snow and rainfall. It also affects the timing of snowmelt. The field of study dedicated to the study of cryosphere is known as cryology. This book strives to provide a fair idea about this discipline and to help develop a better understanding of the latest advances within this field. Coherent flow of topics, student-friendly language and extensive use of examples make this book an invaluable source of knowledge.

This edited book summarizes numerous research studies on remote sensing and GIS of natural resource management for the Himalaya region done by Indian Institutions and Universities over the last decade. It gives an overview of hydrometeorological studies on Himalayan water resources and addresses concerns in the development of water resources in this region, which is dealing with an increased pressure in population, industrialization and economic development. While the source of some of the major rivers of India are found in the Himalayas, the glaciers and water bodies in the region are continuously shrinking leading to a depletion of water and deterioration of water quality. This is affecting a population of up to 2.5 billion people. The ecosystems have been under threat due to deforestation, loss of biodiversity, expansion of agriculture and settlement, overexploitation of natural resources, habitat loss and fragmentation, poaching, mining, construction of roads and large dams, and unplanned tourism. Spaceborne remote sensing with its ability to provide synoptic and repetitive coverage has emerged as a powerful tool for assessment and monitoring of the Himalayan resources and phenomena. This work serves as a resource to students, researchers, scientists, professionals, and policy makers both in India and on a global level.

This book provides a definitive overview of the global drivers of high-mountain cryosphere change and their implications for people across high-mountain regions.

The cryosphere encompasses the Earth's snow and ice masses. It is a critical part of our planet's climate system, one that is especially at risk from climate change and global warming. The Cryosphere provides an essential introduction to the subject, written by one of the world's leading experts in Earth-system science. In this primer, glaciologist Shawn Marshall introduces readers to the cryosphere and the broader role it plays in our global climate system. After giving a concise overview, he fully explains each component of the cryosphere and how it works--seasonal snow, permafrost, river and lake ice, sea ice, glaciers, ice sheets, and ice shelves. Marshall describes how snow and ice interact with our atmosphere and oceans and how they influence climate, sea level, and ocean circulation. He looks at the cryosphere's role in past ice ages and considers the changing cryosphere's future impact on our landscape, oceans, and climate. Accessible and authoritative, this primer also features a glossary of key terms, suggestions for further reading, explanations of equations, and a discussion of open research questions in the field.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is the leading international body for assessing the science related to climate change. It provides policymakers with regular assessments of the scientific basis of human-induced climate change, its impacts and future risks, and options for adaptation and mitigation. This IPCC Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate is the most comprehensive and up-to-date assessment of the observed and projected changes to the ocean and cryosphere and their associated impacts and risks, with a focus on resilience, risk management response options, and adaptation measures, considering both their potential and limitations. It brings together knowledge on physical and biogeochemical changes, the interplay with ecosystem changes, and the implications for human communities. It serves policymakers, decision makers, stakeholders, and all interested parties with unbiased, up-to-date, policy-relevant information. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.

A comprehensive account of all components of the Earth's cryosphere, including their past characteristics, and future states.

"This edited volume, showcasing cutting-edge research, addresses two primary questions - what are the main drivers of change in high-mountains and what are the risks implied by these changes? From a physical perspective, it examines the complex interplay between climate and the high-mountain cryosphere, with further chapters covering tectonics, volcano-ice interactions, slope stability, erosion and glacier- and snow-related hazards. Societal consequences, both global and local, of high-mountain cryosphere change are then explored, as well as the potential implications for high-mountain ecosystems. The book offers a unique perspective through discussions of high-mountain cultures, livelihoods, governance and natural resources management, focusing on how global change influences societies and how people respond to climate-induced cryospheric changes. An invaluable reference for researchers and professionals in cryospheric science, geomorphology, climatology, environmental studies and human geography, this volume will also be of interest to practitioners working in global change and risk, including NGOs and policy advisors"--