Analyzing The Effects Of Climate Change On Glacier Loss In The Himalayan Region And The Agriculture Economies Of The Indo-Gangetic Plains Using GIS Techniques

Authors

Srushti Chaudhari, The College of WoosterFollow

Abstract

The glaciers in the Himalayan Range are vital freshwater repositories that contribute to the discharge of major rivers such as the Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra rivers. Rising temperatures and unpredictable precipitation patterns in the Himalayan region as a result of climate change influence this rate of glacial melt. Since these rivers flow across historically disputed political boundaries in South Asia, the changes in the cryosphere due to climate change will impact the already fragile political stability of the region. This study uses Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques to track glacial melt trends in the Himalayan region. Since the South Asian Monsoon is also a vital component of the overall climatic system, temperature and precipitation trends are also visualized to depict the relationship between the two in the Indus-GangesBrahmaputra watersheds. The results show that the mass balance of the glaciers has decreased from -0.21 during 1975-2000 to -0.41 during 2000-2016, signifying that more glaciers in the region are melting, and they are melting at a faster rate. Concurrently, the temperature and fluctuations in temperature have been increasing in the downstream regions while the precipitation shows an overall decline. This has socio-economic and political implications as the communities that lie downstream are dependent on the river discharge for agricultural, industrial, or municipal needs. Furthermore, since these are largely agriculture dependent economies, these changes negatively affect the livelihoods of a large part of the population. South Asian countries therefore face the daunting task of navigating water scarcity in the face of climate change and increasing competition due to rising water demands.

Advisor

Judge, Shelley

Department

Earth Sciences; Geology

Recommended Citation

Chaudhari, Srushti, "Analyzing The Effects Of Climate Change On Glacier Loss In The Himalayan Region And The Agriculture Economies Of The Indo-Gangetic Plains Using GIS Techniques" (2022). Senior Independent Study Theses. Paper 9762.
https://openworks.wooster.edu/independentstudy/9762

Disciplines

Climate | Fresh Water Studies | Geomorphology | Glaciology | Hydrology | Meteorology | Natural Resources Management and Policy | Water Resource Management

Publication Date

2022

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis