Strengthening the three-dimensional comprehensive observation system of multi-layer interaction on the Tibetan Plateau to cope with the warming and wetting trend

Abstract

Changes in the water cycle on the Tibetan Plateau (TP) have a significant impact on local agricultural production and livelihoods and its downstream regions. Against the background of widely reported warming and wetting, the hydrological cycle has accelerated and the likelihood of extreme weather events and natural disasters occurring (i.e., snowstorms, floods, landslides, mudslides, and ice avalanches) has also intensified, especially in the high-elevation mountainous regions. Thus, an accurate estimation of the intensity and variation of each component of the water cycle is an urgent scientific question for the assessment of plateau environmental changes. Following the transformation and movement of water between the atmosphere, biosphere and hydrosphere, the authors highlight the urgent need to strengthen the three-dimensional comprehensive observation system (including the eddy covariance system; planetary boundary layer tower; profile measurements of temperature, humidity, and wind by microwave radiometers, wind profiler, and radiosonde system; and cloud and precipitation radars) in the TP region and propose a practical implementation plan. The construction of such a three-dimensional observation system is expected to promote the study of environmental changes and natural hazards prevention.摘要青藏高原的水循环变化对于高原及其下游区域人类的生产生活具有举足轻重的影响. 在高原暖湿化的背景下, 其水文循环加快, 极端天气和自然灾害事件概率增大, 比如, 雪灾, 洪水, 滑坡, 泥石流, 冰崩在山区频发. 因此, 如何准确的估算青藏高原水循环各分量的大小及变化幅度是评估高原环境变化影响亟需解决的科学问题. 根据水在各圈层间转换过程, 我们提出了建立第三极地区 (尤其是复杂山区) 的三维立体多圈层地气相互作用综合观测系统(包括涡动相关系统, 行星边界层塔, 微波辐射计, 风廓线仪和无线电探空系统观测的风温湿廓线及云雨雷达等)的紧迫性和具体方案, 进而为研究青藏高原环境变化和山区灾害预测服务.