Response of monsoonal temperate glaciers to global warming since the Little Ice Age

Abstract

Monsoonal temperate glaciers in China mainly occur in the southeastern part of Qinghai (Tibetan) Plateau. They constitute an area of 13203.2 km 2, accounting for 22.2% of China's total glaciated area. Such glaciers are extremely sensitive to climatic warming due to their unique characters. An inconsiderable rise in air temperature may lead to a significant rise in ELA and a large shrinkage in glacier area. Since the maximum of the Little Ice Age (17th century) the mean temperature of monsoonal temperate glaciers in China has increased by 0.8°C and the glacier area has decreased by 3921.2 km 2, an amount equivalent to 30% of the modern glacier area. It is predicted that by the year 2100 the temperature in the monsoonal temperate glaciers of China will rise by 2.1°C, the glacier area will decrease by 75%, approximately 9900 km 2. If the precipitation decreases, the retreat of the glaciers will be even faster, but the area reduction percentage of the glaciers will not exceed 80%. This will no doubt pose a serious threat to the water resources and environment in these regions.