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Impacts of Glacier Recession and Declining Meltwater on Mountain Societies

Author

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  • Mark Carey
  • Olivia C. Molden
  • Mattias Borg Rasmussen
  • M Jackson
  • Anne W. Nolin
  • Bryan G. Mark

Abstract

Glacierized mountains are often referred to as our world's water towers because glaciers both store water over time and regulate seasonal stream flow, releasing runoff during dry seasons when societies most need water. Ice loss thus has the potential to affect human societies in diverse ways, including irrigation, agriculture, hydropower, potable water, livelihoods, recreation, spirituality, and demography. Unfortunately, research focusing on the human impacts of glacier runoff variability in mountain regions remains limited, and studies often rely on assumptions rather than concrete evidence about the effects of shrinking glaciers on mountain hydrology and societies. This article provides a systematic review of international research on human impacts of glacier meltwater variability in mountain ranges worldwide, including the Andes, Alps, greater Himalayan region, Cascades, and Alaska. It identifies four main areas of existing research: (1) socioeconomic impacts; (2) hydropower; (3) agriculture, irrigation, and food security; and (4) cultural impacts. The article also suggests paths forward for social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences research that could more accurately detect and attribute glacier runoff and human impacts, grapple with complex and intersecting spatial and temporal scales, and implement transdisciplinary research approaches to study glacier runoff. The objective is ultimately to redefine and reorient the glacier-water problem around human societies rather than simply around ice and climate. By systematically evaluating human impacts in different mountain regions, the article strives to stimulate cross-regional thinking and inspire new studies on glaciers, hydrology, risk, adaptation, and human–environment interactions in mountain regions.

Suggested Citation

  • Mark Carey & Olivia C. Molden & Mattias Borg Rasmussen & M Jackson & Anne W. Nolin & Bryan G. Mark, 2017. "Impacts of Glacier Recession and Declining Meltwater on Mountain Societies," Annals of the American Association of Geographers, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 107(2), pages 350-359, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:taf:raagxx:v:107:y:2017:i:2:p:350-359
    DOI: 10.1080/24694452.2016.1243039
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Susanne Schmidt & Marcus Nüsser & Ravi Baghel & Juliane Dame, 2020. "Cryosphere hazards in Ladakh: the 2014 Gya glacial lake outburst flood and its implications for risk assessment," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 104(3), pages 2071-2095, December.
    2. Ekaterina P. Rets & Ivan N. Durmanov & Maria B. Kireeva & Andrew M. Smirnov & Viktor V. Popovnin, 2020. "Past ‘peak water’ in the North Caucasus: deglaciation drives a reduction in glacial runoff impacting summer river runoff and peak discharges," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 163(4), pages 2135-2151, December.
    3. Bo Su & Cunde Xiao & Deliang Chen & Dahe Qin & Yongjian Ding, 2019. "Cryosphere Services and Human Well-Being," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(16), pages 1-23, August.
    4. Dextre, Rosa María & Eschenhagen, María Luisa & Camacho Hernández, Mirtha & Rangecroft, Sally & Clason, Caroline & Couldrick, Laurence & Morera, Sergio, 2022. "Payment for ecosystem services in Peru: Assessing the socio-ecological dimension of water services in the upper Santa River basin," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 56(C).
    5. Graham McDowell & Leila Harris & Michele Koppes & Martin F. Price & Kai M.A. Chan & Dhawa G. Lama, 2020. "From needs to actions: prospects for planned adaptations in high mountain communities," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 163(2), pages 953-972, November.

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