Content uploaded by Philippus Wester
Author content
All content in this area was uploaded by Philippus Wester on Feb 07, 2019
Content may be subject to copyright.
A preview of the PDF is not available
The Hindu Kush Himalaya Assessment: Mountains, Climate Change, Sustainability and People
Abstract
This open access volume is the first comprehensive assessment of the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region. It comprises important scientific research on the social, economic, and environmental pillars of sustainable mountain development and will serve as a basis for evidence-based decision-making to safeguard the environment and advance people’s well-being. The compiled content is based on the collective knowledge of over 300 leading researchers, experts and policymakers, brought together by the Hindu Kush Himalayan Monitoring and Assessment Programme (HIMAP) under the coordination of the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD). This assessment was conducted between 2013 and 2017 as the first of a series of monitoring and assessment reports, under the guidance of the HIMAP Steering Committee: Eklabya Sharma (ICIMOD), Atiq Raman (Bangladesh), Yuba Raj Khatiwada (Nepal), Linxiu Zhang (China), Surendra Pratap Singh (India), Tandong Yao (China) and David Molden (ICIMOD and Chair of the HIMAP SC).
This First HKH Assessment Report consists of 16 chapters, which comprehensively assess the current state of knowledge of the HKH region, increase the understanding of various drivers of change and their impacts, address critical data gaps and develop a set of evidence-based and actionable policy solutions and recommendations. These are linked to nine mountain priorities for the mountains and people of the HKH consistent with the Sustainable Development Goals.
This book is a must-read for policy makers, academics and students interested in this important region and an essentially important resource for contributors to global assessments such as the IPCC reports.
... Due to their nature and methodology, risk assessment and discourse frameworks for multi-hazards are unique (Gill & Malamud, 2016). In the mountains, particularly in the Himalaya, a lack of a consistent strategy to risk management limits the integration of risk assessments (Wester et al., 2019). The existing gap was widened by the lack of uniform and varied risk assessments, which hampered the vulnerable region's comprehensive mountain-specific development. ...
... Communities with well-planned infrastructure, well-formulated emergency responses, a healthy population, hereditary and taught skill sets, and greater literacy rates are more resilient (Hatai & Sen, 2008). Moreover, communities from the Himalayan region's traditional wisdom aid in improving community resilience (Wester et al., 2019). Local community members' participation in developmental initiatives may put forth concepts and ideas based on a community's livelihood, observations, viewpoints, and wants (Ahmed et al., 2019), as well as provide locals more authority to interact with development. ...
... For example, the application of sensors and artificial intelligence for the detection of water levels in a river to assess rising water levels demarcates the pre-disaster technological advancements and can be used to generate timely warnings (Gupta, 2018). In a multi-hazard environment like the Himalayan region, effective technology for early warning systems for multi-hazard hazards, like cloud burst, strong rains, and landslides, might be created and used for disaster response planning (Wester et al., 2019). Overall, need-based disaster technology, including indigenous and traditional techniques in terms of early warnings, catastrophe facilitation through communication, and other necessary resources, would be highly effective in combating the damage caused due to these climate-induced and geological disasters. ...
Mountains, being fragile, act as a vital repository for water and biodiversity. The Himalaya, in specific, the “roof of the world” is endowed with a magnificent and scenic view with temperate green forests, alpine meadows, agricultural fields, gorges, waterfalls, cascades of river valleys, and a human settlement in the unstable slopes or at the perennial streams of major rivers. The vulnerability of mountain ecosystems is being disproportionately influenced by climate change-induced disasters and is poorly understood as well. Cascading effect of temperature change can melt the snow and ice, thereby exhibiting a noticeable impact on the availability of water, biodiversity, boundary shift in ecosystem, agriculture, and on human well-being. Furthermore, several climate-induced disasters, like flash floods, mass movements, debris flows, and landslides, have occurred in the Himalayas. Specifically, this has happened a lot in the recent past, resulting in numerous deaths and property damage. This insecurity is due to the region’s unplanned, unscientific and unregulated practices as well as a massive rise in population. This underlines the necessity for a Mountain Specific Risk Management Framework (MSMRMF) and the incorporation of spatial specificities for risk reduction. The three dimensions of vulnerability, namely, adaptive capacity, exposure, and sensitivity, are greatly governed by livelihood strategies, access to water, food, and hygiene. The best available research on disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation must be incorporated in deciding disaster resilience. This chapter sheds light on various climate-induced and geological disasters in mountain regions, their impact, and risk management strategies. The significance of regional climate models, development of alternative technologies, people’s understanding regarding the social construction of risk, the role of local stakeholders, and enhancing the governance capacity and participation to manage the disaster risk is as well briefly discussed.
... including the inflow from Yellow and Yangtze River basins (YYRB) in the east and Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) in the south. 13,9 Transboundary transport from other regions of Asia also contributes significantly to air pollution in TP. 14,15 The economic growth of neighbouring nations has impacted the air quality in TP through atmospheric transport and thus, it is particularly sensitive to regional socioeconomic changes. 16 In addition, TP houses thousands of lakes and glaciers with a total area of more than 10000 sq. ...
... 49 In addition, higher NO2 during MAM over the south-east regions of TP, including northeast India, Myanmar, Bhutan and Bangladesh is primarily due to the wildfires in this dry season. 48 The YYRB region is one of the densely populated and industrialised regions in the world, 13 and thus, anthropogenic emissions are consistently higher throughout the year, with very small seasonal variation (> 1.5 × 10 15 molec. cm -2 ). ...
The Third Pole, Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) and Tien Shan mountains, has been closely monitored for the past few decades because of its deteriorating environmental condition. Here, we analyse the spatio-temporal changes in tropospheric NO2 over TP using satellite observations from 2005 to 2020. The highest NO¬2 concentrations (i.e. ≥ 1 × 1015 molec. cm-2) are found in the boundaries close to Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP), and Yellow and Yangtze River basins (YYRB). The analysis of Emissions Database for Global Atmospheric Research (EDGAR v6.1) shows that the main contribution to NO2 in the region is from the road transport (81%) and then power sector (7%). The Hybrid Single Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) analyses illustrate that the major regions from which air mass reach TP is from IGP, Southeast Asia, YYRB, Central Asia and Middle East. Our analysis reveals a positive trend in NO2 over most regions of TP (up to 0.05 ± 0.01 × 1015 molec. cm-2 year-1) in the yearly averaged data for the period 2005–2020, which suggest that the pollution is spreading even to the inner regions of TP. Therefore, this study reveals that the inner TP, one of the most pristine regions on the earth, is getting polluted because of high anthropogenic activities within and nearby areas/cities; indicating the impact of regional development activities and socioeconomic changes in recent years.
... In the context of global ozone recovery and climate change, whether TCO trends in TP would be similar to those over the other regions in the same latitude band is an interesting topic of further investigation. The Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) and Tien Shan mountains within the region 10 • -45 • N and 60 • -105 • E are called the Third Pole (TP) of Earth (Qiu, 2008;Wester et al., 2019). The region is widely known because of its high mountaneous topography, highest plateau and home to the largest reserve of fresh ice mass on the planet outside the poles (Yao et al., 2012). ...
... The region is widely known because of its high mountaneous topography, highest plateau and home to the largest reserve of fresh ice mass on the planet outside the poles (Yao et al., 2012). Past studies show that TP receives substantial amount of air pollutants within and from the adjacent boundary regions, including Indo-Gangatic Plain (IGP) (Bonasoni et al., 2012;Cong et al., 2015), east China (Lin, 2012) and other parts of Asia (Wester et al., 2019). These pollutants are deleterious to human health, and minacious to food security, water resources and regional climate by influencing the incoming solar radiation, and alter the albedo of snow and ice surfaces (Kang et al., 2019). ...
The Hindu Kush Himalaya and Tien Shan Mountain regions together are called the Third Pole (TP) of Earth, which encompasses ecologically fragile regions of 12 Asian countries. It is the highest mountain chain with the largest reserve of fresh ice mass on the planet outside the northern and southern polar regions. The TP region is experiencing high rate of glacier melting due to climate change for the past few decades, and is a great concern for water security of South Asia. Since changes in ozone concentrations in the atmosphere affect public health, ecosystem dynamics and climate, it is imperative to monitor its temporal evolution in an ecologically sensitive region such as TP. Here, the spatiotemporal characteristics of total column ozone (TCO) in TP and 20 selected cities in and around TP are investigated using a combined long-term data made from the satellite measurements of Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) and Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment (GOME)-2B for the period 2005–2020. The spatial trends in TCO over TP are mostly negative in summer and autumn (from -0.2 DU/yr to -0.6 DU/yr), but positive in winter (up to +0.2 DU/yr). Among the selected 20 urban regions, the highest annual trend -0.42±0.3 DU/yr and the lowest -0.01±0.2 DU/yr are estimated in Xining and Chittagong, respectively. Analysis using a multiple regression model reveals that the ozone variability in TP is mostly driven by tropopause height with a contribution of 24.92%, Quasi-Biennial Oscillation (23.42%), aerosols (16.12%) and solar flux (15.34%). Our study suggests that the observed negative trend is mainly associated with human activities and climate change in TP, which would likely to enhance the surface temperature and thus, melting of glaciers in the region.
Springshed management across mountainous states, such as India and Nepal, has paved the way for the groundwater recharge process. In contrast, despite introducing several interventions, the Bangladeshi government has never been officially exposed to such sustainable ideas for a spring revival. Therefore, this study aims to diagnose water security for the Himalayan region by applying an environmental security framework. Community perceptions documented through focus group discussions and key informant interviews, as well as water sample testing, helped highlight the existing issues of water scarcity, accessibility, quality, and governance structure. Exemplifying the condition of Bandarban in Bangladesh, notable gaps were found in spring-related scientific understanding. Specifically, the lack of adequate reservoirs, institutional coordination, water supply, utility maintenance, and accessibility hurdles were identified as areas requiring immediate attention. As a recovery route, a six-step protocol of springshed management shows more promising outcomes. However, Sikkim communities in India raised questions over its efficacy due to the improper execution of said protocols. A limited understanding of hill science, including inventory and inadequate inspections before implementation, were found to result in only partial success. Upgrading remains a challenge as maladaptation might increase landslides. Therefore, development plans demand rigorous science-based investigation, consideration of local community knowledge, and (pilot) monitoring before the upscaling of springshed projects can be successfully conducted.
Die Gletscher Hochasiens beeinflussen durch ihr Schmelzwasser die Wasserverfügbarkeit eines der gefährdetsten ‚globalen Wassertürme‘. Des Weiteren stellen diese Gletscher und die Gletscherseen eine Gefahr durch Überschwemmungen, Lawinen und Erdrutsche dar. Die Sensitivität und Variabilität von Gletschermassenbilanzen in Hochasien werden in dieser Dissertation untersucht. Das Energie- und Massenbilanzmodell „COupled Snowpack and Ice surface energy and mass balance model in PYthon (COSIPY)“ ist dabei das Hauptwerkzeug. Neun verschiedene gegitterte Niederschlagsdatensätze wurden verglichen, um Aussagen über deren Anwendungsmöglichkeiten zu treffen. Es wurden Verfahren für die Vorverarbeitung von Reanalyse-Datensätzen entwickelt, um diese als klimatische Antriebsdaten für COSIPY zu verwenden. Dazu standen Daten von drei automatischen Wetterstationen an verschiedenen Gletschern zur Verfügung. Die Modellevaluation auf der Basis von Beobachtungsdaten bildete den Ausgangspunkt, um die klimatische Massenbilanz von 14 Gletschern in allen großen Gebirgszügen Hochasiens mit einem konsistenten Ansatz zu modellieren. Die räumlich aufgelösten klimatischen Massenbilanzen von 2000 bis 2018 wurden mithilfe geodätischer Massenbilanzen aus Fernerkundungsdaten kalibriert. Generell haben mehr südöstlich gelegene Gletscher höhere Massenumsätze und diese sind sensitiver gegenüber Schwankungen von Temperatur und Niederschlag. Alle Gletschermassenbilanzen sind am sensitivsten gegenüber Temperaturänderungen im Sommer und gegenüber Niederschlagsänderungen im Sommer oder Frühling. Die Resultate unterstreichen die Notwendigkeit zukünftiger Forschung zu räumlich aufgelösten Reaktionen von Gletschern auf Klimaantrieb und daraus resultierender Variabilität von Schmelzwasser unter Verwendung interdisziplinärer Methoden in Hochasien. Aufgrund der Heterogenität der Gletscher in Hochasien ist diese Forschung essentiell für die künftige Anpassung an Klimavariabilität und Klimawandel in der Region.
Geophysical hazards are ubiquitous phenomena occurring in the Himalayan Mountains. These hazards are directly linked to the unique natural physical characteristics of the region, climate-related phenomena such as cloudbursts and storms that lead to flash flooding, and the anthropogenic influence of human activities and developmental structures such as road infrastructure, hydroelectric power plants, settlements, and agricultural activities. Widespread devastation, loss of life, and developmental setbacks ensue in the immediate wake of the event, but economic and livelihood setbacks may take years, if at all. Both direct and indirect economic impacts are important at the community level. Direct economic impacts refer to the loss of physical assets such as homes and damaged infrastructure for information and communication technology (ICT), transport, agriculture, and energy. Alternatively, indirect economic impacts refer to loss of utility as a result of direct impacts such as the inability to travel to places of employment and supply chain disruptions. To manage the impacts of the hazards, communities may integrate climate adaptation measures into their dwellings to reduce their risk exposure. Risk reduction measures must be coupled with financial resilience actions to ensure adequate risk management. Greater financial resilience can be delivered from public and private finance sources, both of which are discussed in this research.
Billions of people relay on water resources of the Himalayan region for drinking, irrigation, and other domestic purposes. Abundance of natural resources makes this region suitable for human settlements, despite the fact that the area experiences frequent natural hazards. Water resources including major rivers are one of the important components, responsible for high biodiversity of the Himalayas and its role in global atmospheric circulation. Recent climate changes have proved to affect the precipitation pattern and ice cover of the Himalayas, causing variations in the dynamics of rivers in the area. Climate change–induced variation in river flow quantity, timing, and unpredictability raises the danger of ecological changes and has a negative impact on aquatic life and the ecosystem depending on rivers. Agriculture is one important sector that is at highest risk due to climate change. This is a serious concern as the runoff patterns of the rivers are mainly determined by the precipitation pattern and ice cover in the upper reaches. Reduction in ice cover reduces the water storage capacity of the Himalayas, and fluctuations in the precipitation pattern cause floods and droughts. The increased frequency of natural hazards including floods and droughts affects the economy and is a threat to people’s life. Climate change effects on water resources, namely, Himalayan snow and ice reservoirs and lake and river systems and the risk associated with it, can be monitored using different hydrological models. To cover vast geographical areas of the Himalayan region, adequate hydrological observatories need to be installed in order to monitor and record time series data of the hydrological parameters. Systematic monitoring will help to predict how climate change will affect water resources in the future. Sustainable management of local resources based on suitable practices, adaptation strategies, and need-specific policies relevant to basin climate can further reduce frequent climate change-related impacts, risk, and vulnerability.
Due to the diverse and rich taxa, Asteraceae needs to explore from the untouched area. In this study, the pollen study was intended to assess the taxonomic value for Asteraceous taxa growing on the Sikaram Mountain Pak-Afghan border. Both microscopic techniques (LM and SEM) play a significant role in the identification and classification of herbaceous species of Asteraceae for their taxonomic and systematic implication. Pollen was observed and measured for the 15 species of Asteraceae. For investigated taxa 15 pollen characters with size, shape, polar view, pollen type, aperture orientation, and exine sculpturing in the eurypalynous pollen. Consequently, the pollen grains are usually Tricolporate, triangular to circular in polar view, while, the shape of pollen varies from subulate, oblate, and prolate along with prolate to spheroidal whereas, sculpturing also varies from Scabrate to micro reticulate, echino-perforate, Scabrate to echinate, echinate to granulate and echinate were observed. Similarly, among the quantitative data minimum values of polar and equatorial were 15.8 ± 0.74 μm in Filago pyramidata and 17.85 ± 0.39 μm in Heteropappus altaicus was measured respectively, while; the length of the spine with the least value of 2.45 ± 0.31 μm in Hertia intermedia and highest with 7.55 ± 0.31 μm was observed in Cirsium wallichii. The Exine thickness is a minimum of 1.70 ± 0.35 μm in Launaea nudicaulis and a maximum of 5.65 ± 3.59 μm in Cirssium vulgare. In addition, the highest pollen fertility (87%) in Centaurea iberica while the highest pollen sterility (32%) was recorded in Cirsium verutum. Furthermore, clustering via UPGMA, PCA, and PCoA analysis was performed for the separation of closely related taxa. It is concluded from this research work that palynological study has a crucial role in taxonomic, pure, and applied sciences. This study can be further authenticated and improved by a Phylogenetic study based on chloroplast DNA analysis & whole genome sequencing. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Pollen ultrastructure among 15 Asteraceous taxa. Micromorphological attributes measured via LM and SEM. Exine sculpture elements patterns provide accurate identification. Taxonomic keys were developed for its systematics implications.
This chapter presents a regional analysis of spatial and temporal variation in temperature lapse rate (TLR) across the Himalayan arc based on a primary study conducted in three transects and reviews of earlier studies. The annual mean TLR for tree line ranged from −0.50 to −0.66 °C (100 m)−1 and varied across the seasons with highest being in pre-monsoon (0.52–0.66 °C/100 m) and lowest during winters (0.31–0.46 °C/100 m). Mean annual TLR was higher for North-West aspect (−0.46 °C/100 m) than the South-East (SE) aspect (−0.36 °C/100 m). TLR for treeline in Himalaya was distinctly lower in comparison to previous records (−0.65 to −0.7 °C/100 m) and varied for different climate regimes. It was 21–29% shallower for Eastern Himalaya, 20–38% for Central Himalaya, and 1–21% for Western Himalaya. The mean annual TLR increased from east to west along the Himalayan arc (east to central by 4.1%, central to west by 14%, and from the Western Himalaya to the Pir-Panjal and Karakoram ranges by 30%). The shallow TLR reflected that higher regions in Himalaya were warmer than perceived resulting in elevation-dependent warming (EDW) under the influence of climate change. The higher TLR in dry or warmer and lower in humid or cold atmospheric conditions suggests different controlling factors determining TLRs in different seasons. This chapter also discusses possible implications of EDW on vegetation in Himalayan treeline ecotone.
We took up a team science approach to carry out a multisite and multidisciplinary study on the ‘Indian Himalayan Timberline Ecotones’. Timberlines in the Himalayas reach highest elevation (4900 m) in the Northern Hemisphere, but vary widely in elevation, being 300–600 m lower in moist outer ranges than in dry inner ranges. The zigzag, twisting and curvy timberlines are together more than ~20,000 km long and have a total of 58 tree species. In moist regions, the annual temperature lapse rate is rather low (e.g. 0.53 °C/100 m in Uttarakhand) and varies seasonally (e.g. in December, 0.24 °C/100 m). Along 83–95% of their length, the timberlines are stationary in spite of decades of rapid warming. An analysis of tree ring growth and climate relationship indicates that the intensified pre-monsoon drought could suppress the upward shift of treeline in a warming world. Paradoxically, tree water relations indicate the lack of water stress in treelines. The other changes observed were: upward shift of Rhododendron campanulatum and increase in plant species richness because of an early snowmelt. At the end, this chapter discusses the learning from our team science approach.
ResearchGate has not been able to resolve any references for this publication.