Snow Reserves Research Articles

Habitat quality assessment on the Qinghai-Tibet plateau across vegetation ecoregions using InVEST and Geodetector models

IntroductionThe Qinghai-Tibet Plateau holds a significant position in the global ecosystem, with its unique high altitude and complex geographical features fostering rich biodiversity. The plateau’s high-altitude environment and distinctive climate system significantly influence the Asian monsoon and regional hydrological cycles. Its vast glaciers and snow reserves are crucial in regulating the Asian climate. While previous studies have analyzed the habitat quality of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, significant variations exist across different vegetation ecoregions, warranting further investigation into these variations and their influencing factors.MethodsThis study conducted a comprehensive assessment of habitat quality on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau by analyzing the impacts of human activities, climate change, and grazing intensity. Using the InVEST Model and Geodetector Model, we evaluated habitat quality across the plateau’s six vegetation ecoregions from 2000 to 2020. The efficacy of ecological red-line policies in actual conservation efforts was also examined.ResultsThe results indicate that habitat quality among vegetation ecoregions is shaped by a complex interaction of geographical and human-induced factors, leading to notable spatiotemporal variations. From 2000 to 2020, the quality of habitats was significantly impacted by human activities, climate change, grazing intensity, and land-use changes. These effects were especially prominent during the period from 2005 to 2010.DiscussionThe changes in habitat quality on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau are influenced by multiple driving factors, with significant differences in the drivers across various vegetation ecoregions. The ecological redline policy has played an important role in protecting the ecological environment in key areas, particularly in regions with high human intervention, where its effectiveness is more pronounced. In future ecological management, it is essential to strengthen conservation measures based on regional specificity. By comprehensively considering the impact of human activities and natural factors, developing more targeted management strategies is crucial for improving habitat quality.

Indicators of snow reserves, runoff of melt water and water absorption in the central forest-steppe region

The article examines the indicators of snow reserves, meltwater runoff and water absorption in the central forest-steppe region. In the stationary experiment at the experimental farm of the Novosilsk Zonal Experimental Station - a branch of the Federal Scientific Center for Agroecology of the Russian Academy of Sciences – the observations were made of the main natural factors: snow deposition, freezing and soil moisture. On the drainage sites with a runoffregulating forest belts of a combined design with low-growing spirea shrubs up to 50 cm, the patterns of snow deposition were studied in order to prevent deep freezing of the soil during winters. The research has shown that low-growing shrubs contributed to the accumulation of snow cover. Before snowmelt, the slightly frozen soil, regardless of moisture, had high water absorption. In the protective forest belt, snow reserves were redistributed, which protected the soil from deep freezing. As a result of three years of observations, the surface runoff of melt water in 2018 on the control areas was weak - 11.8 mm, and on other agricultural areas with a combined runoff-regulating forest belt - very weak (6.2-7.5 mm), i.e., almost 2 times less [9] In 2019 and 2020, there was no spring runoff in all variants. Thus, the weakly frozen soil contributed to the seepage of all melt water into the underlying horizons. Water absorption in 2019 is 110.0-127.0 mm, and in 2020 – 34.0-67.0 mm. No soil washout or erosion was observed during the snowmelt period. A runoff-regulating forest belt of a combined design with lowgrowing bushes contributed to snow accumulation and its redistribution, protecting the soil from deep freezing. The effectiveness of protective forest belts, as well as the redistribution of snow reserves, is closely related to the placement of forest plantations relative to the prevailing directions of snowstorm winds. It is also necessary to take into account other factors (precipitation, the presence of thaws, agricultural background, design, qualitative composition of forest plantations, etc.) The prevailing weather conditions of past winters contributed to the accumulation of snow and the absorption of moisture into the soil. This was also facilitated by the correct location of protective forest belts. Knowing the patterns of the main natural factors, it is possible to control the erosion-hydrological process. The work was carried out within the framework of the state assignment of the Federal Scientific Center for Agroecology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, № FNFE-2022-0012 “Theoretical foundations of the erosion-hydrological process in watersheds, and conceptual directions, ways and principles of creating highly effective environmentally friendly systems for managing this process in order to completely prevent soil erosion.”

Influence of protective forest belts on snow accumulation in agricultural landscapes

In semi-arid climate conditions, where farming is complicated by a lack of atmospheric moisture, the preservation of snow in an agroforest landscape serves as an additional source of moisture for the growth and development of tree and shrub vegetation. The paper investigates the role of forest belts of a combined structure on the characteristics of snow deposition depending on different patterns of shrub placement (along the top edge, along the lower edge, on both sides). The results of the conducted snow surveys show that experimental sites with shrubs along the top edge are characterized by the highest level of snow accumulation both in the forest belt and in the adjacent field. The snow-retaining function in the forest belt zone is weaker in the presence of shrubs on both sides. It has been established that the values of snow density increase with approaching the forest stand. The highest values were recorded in the forest belt with shrubs along the top edge (up to 0.5 g cm-3). The accumulation of snow and its density eventually affected the amount of snow reserves. The highest values of snow reserves were observed in the forest belt with shrubs along the top edge with a row width of up to 1 m. This contributed to the accumulation of 82-203 mm of snow in the forest belt area (at 43 mm of snowfall). Shrub placement along the lower edge provoked a loss of moisture in the forest belt itself, which made this pattern ineffective. The results obtained can be applied in the design of protective forest belts in the areas with insufficient moisture.

Влияние низкорослого кустарника в стокорегулирующей лесополосе комбинированной конструкции на факторы стока и элементы водного баланса в лесостепи Центрального Нечерноземья

The purpose of the research is to identify and evaluate the role of a low-growing shrub in the flow-regulating forest belt of a combined design in the formation of the levels of natural factors of the surface runoff of meltwater and their influence on the elements of the water balance in the forest-steppe on the basis of knowledge of the patterns of interaction of meltwater with frozen soil. The studies were carried out on gray forest soils of the Orel region using the balance method on runoff sites. The main natural factors that need to be affected in order to regulate the slope of spring runoff are snow reserves, freezing depth and soil moisture. The high efficiency of flow-regulating forest belts of a combined (openwork-tightly-blown) design and the role of placing low-growing shrubs in them have been established. The most effective was its placement in the lower and upper rows of 4-row forest belts. They contribute to optimal snow deposition in the field and accumulation of the necessary amount of snow in the forest belts to prevent deep freezing and additional accumulation of moisture for their functioning. An important conclusion is made that when creating new anti-erosion and measures, it is necessary to apply techniques that affect the natural factors of the formation of runoff: snow reserves, freezing depth and soil moisture.

Long-term drought monitoring of the Zayandehrud River basin (central Iran) using hydroclimatological models and satellite observations

Drought is one of the most complex and threatening disasters, defined as a period of drier-than-normal conditions which results in water-related problems. In addition to climate variation, human activities can cause or intensify drought through groundwater overextraction, unsupervised expansion of agricultural lands, etc. One prime example of such drought has been observed in the Zayandehrud River basin in central Iran. We investigate the long-term (1986 to 2019) drought of the Zayandehrud River basin using meteorological, hydrological, and agricultural drought indices. The main focus of this research is to explore the impact of the irrigated area expansion in the upstream sub-basins on the agricultural drought of the downstream. To this end, different drought indices are employed over the whole basin and its sub-basins. The results indicate that the long-term precipitation index and snow reserves do not show a long-term trend during the study period, while the combined precipitation–evapotranspiration index and groundwater storage decline. The research concludes that the expansion of the agricultural lands in the river upstream, rising air temperature, and increasing population and industrial activities in the basin are most likely the driving forces to intensify the agricultural drought in the midstream and downstream parts of the basin.

Surface flow of melted snow water on the central Russian upland

In areas with a pronounced relief, water erosion causes great harm to agriculture and other sectors of the national economy. It leads to the destruction of the soil cover, a reduction in the area of arable land, a decrease in fertility, the removal of erosion products into floodplains, the siltation of ponds and rivers and the destruction of the road network. The scientific goal was to identify the influence of the main natural factors (snow reserves, freezing and soil moisture) on the formation of the spring melt water runoff on the plow. To study the questions raised, the water-balance method was used with the use of runoff sites. Observations showed that the formation of the melt water runoff depended on the depth of soil freezing. With shallow soil freezing up to 50 cm, there was no runoff. All the melt water was absorbed by the soil. As a result of 30 years of research (1991-2020), it was found that the average annual runoff on the plow was very weak - 3.8 mm on the scale of Surmach, the runoff coefficient is 0.05, shallow soil freezing - 19-28 cm, duration of snow melting - 16 days.

The influence of regional climatic changes on the flood regime in European Russia in the 21st Century

Possible changes in the average annual maximum snow reserves and flood runoff in European Russia (ER), on the basis of global climate modelling data was estimated. The data on precipitation and temperature from 5 AOGCMs (atmospheric and ocean general circulation models) of the CMIP5 project, based on the best reproduction of the current climate were used. The multidirectional changes in the maximum snow reserves and flood runoff are expected in ER, although there is a tendency in the southern territories towards a decrease in these characteristics; this intensifies near the end of the 21st Century and when using data from the ‘hard’ scenario of greenhouse gas emissions.

Hydrometeorological conditions and water regime of the lake Krasilovskoye (Altai krai) in 2013-2017

The paper presents the analysis of the data on monitoring the hydrological state of the basinal freshwater lake Krasilovskoye (Altai Krai) and hydrometeorological conditions in its catchment in 2013-2017. The data from the automated measuring complex developed at the Institute of monitoring of climatic and ecological systems of SB RAS as well as the data on snow surveys carried out by researchers from IWEP SB RAS in the catchment and water area of the lake are used. Observations of water regime in the basin lake in the years with contrasting hydro-climatic conditions made it possible to identify the dominant factor determining its spring filling and to quantify its level dynamics. The magnitude and rate of level rise in spring mainly depend on hydro-climatic conditions of air and soil of the previous cold period, which in turn determine the ratio of surface and underground runoff in spring.
 It was found that in the winter of 2014 and 2016, hydro-climatic conditions of the cold period contributed to the freezing of soil and the formation of a "locking" ice layer, which prevented vertical infiltration of melt water. Intensive surface runoff induced a drastic level rise up to 1-1.5 m. In 2015 and 2017, at the absence of soil freezing, the water rise was much lower, despite large snow reserves and intensive snowmelt. In the spring of 2017, the driven out to the water surface diluted near-bottom layer enriched with hydrogen sulfide caused mass fish death after insignificant water inflow to the lake.

Снежный покров: особенности локального распределения в лесных массивах как возможный источник погрешностей спутниковых данных

The errors in the snow reserves recovered from satellite data in forest territories are mainly associated with the nature of the snow thickness and the characteristics of plant communities. The main objective of our research is to assess the local variability of snow reserves in modern climatic conditions in connection with the forest taxonomic heterogeneity as a possible additional source of errors in snow reserves calculating with using satellite information. Errors of snow сover characteristics recovered from satellite data (product GlobSnow (SWE), European Space Agency) for basic points within the forest zone of the East European Plain were calculated for absolute values, indicators of interannual and long-term variability. The errors obtained are connected with the approaches considering in model algorithms the reflective ability of the snow cover in forest tracts (permeability coefficient). Using experimental observations results in the Central Forest Reserve, noticeable local differences in the actual characteristics of the snow cover in the forest territories with a predominance of coniferous or deciduous species are revealed. The obtained patterns can be used to refine regional estimates of snow reserves calculating using satellite imagery.

Opportunities of short-term weather forecasts data in the environmental monitoring of the Kazakhstan

This paper considers the possibilities of assimilation of FEWS NET (Famine early Warning System Network) products in natural resource monitoring of the territory of Kazakhstan in the cold period. With an area of 2.7 million km2, Kazakhstan is located in the center of Eurasia in the arid zone, and snow is one of the most important water sources in the first half of the vegetation season. The products “Snow Depth”, “Temperature” and “Precipitation” developed for Central Asia are based on model meteorological data, including short-term weather forecasts. This information, presented in the form of regular matrices, has several advantages in efficiency and spatial detailing over direct ground (remote) measurements of meteorological parameters. The use of FEWS NET products for the environmental monitoring of the entire territory of Kazakhstan or its separate parts is of benefit for assessing the current situation on snow reserves, weather regimes and prospects for spring snowmelt.

Heat- and cooling systems

Introduction. The article discusses the various aspects of the use of foamed polyethylene, implemented at sports facilities in Armenia. Firstly, it is a roof insulation system. Secondly, the implementation of insulation systems to preserve the cold in the territory of open sports facilities, in particular, to preserve snow reserves in ski resorts. Additional requirements are imposed on the thermal insulation material for such structures. The material, in addition to high thermotechnical properties, must be airtight, lightweight, easy to install and maintain, durable, resistant to infection by bacteria and fungi, it is easy to tolerate temperature extremes. Materials and methods. The article presents the results of a study of the properties (heat conductivity density, vapor permeability, water absorption) and application features (resistance to the effects of temperature, humidity, aggressive components contained in the air, that is, its high operational stability) of rolled non-cross-linked polyethylene foam when creating insulating sheets that protect snow from melting. Results. It was found that polyethylene foam in the insulating system maintains the stability of mechanical and thermophysical properties. Taking into account all the functional features of the implementation of insulation systems, the principles of protection and preservation (conservation) of snow cover have been developed, implemented on the mountain slopes and plateau of ski facilities. Rolls of foamed polyethylene were joined end-to-end and mechanically fixed. Conclusions. Thus, a seamless insulating coating was formed, covering the entire hillside — “thermal blanket”. The insulation system is operated during the off-season between March and September, during a period of stable positive temperatures.

Physical-mathematical modeling of multiyear dynamics of water-balance and snow-reserve components in Ob-Irtysh river basin

The possibility of use of the previously developed calculation technique of the North Rivers flow hydraulic records for the Ob River, the largest river in Russia by basin area, flowing under severe conditions in West Siberia was examined. The calculation technique is based on the model of heat and moisture exchange of the geological substrate with the Earth’s atmosphere, the Soil-Water–Atmosphere–Plants (SWAP) model, in conjunction with information support based on global databases of geological-substrate parameters and information obtained from observational data collected by weather stations within the Ob River basin. Uncertainty of the Ob River flow was assessed. Additionally, the ability of the SWAP model to reproduce multiyear dynamics from average values of snow reserves in the Ob-Irtysh basin was examined.

On a feedback of the share of avalanche alimentation with a glacier accumulation

Releases of avalanches are an important factor of snow accumulation for many mountain glaciers. However, the quantitative estimate of the share of avalanche snow in the incoming part of the mass balance has not yet been standardized due to the lack of a universal methodological scheme for the calculation and collection of actual material. In rare cases, e.g. for the Djankuat Glacier in the Caucasus, this problem is partly solved. Here, the conceptual basis of the required calculations is created, and the input information has been supplied for many years by the route snow-measuring profling performed in the spring close to the date of the maximum of seasonal snow reserves and accompanied by direct feld mapping. Annually, avalanche deposits attributed to additional snow income from outside the glacier are recorded in all high-altitude morphological zones, with the exception of the lowest (< 2850 m) hypsometric belt, although in the half-century history of monitoring there were cases when snow avalanches reached it. Te volume of avalanche deposits was calculated for 15 years afer 1991/92, and each time it correlated with the gross snow accumulation of the corresponding balance year. Te contribution of snow avalanches to the income of substances on the glacier varies from 1.8 to 10.0% and averages 4.7%. Paradoxical (but only at frst glance) conclusion based on the analysis of data on volumes of avalanche and total accumulation is the feedback of these indicators (r= -0.58). It should be noted that the share of avalanche contribution to alimentation of the glacier has a more convincing feedback with accumulation and background snow content of winter (r= -0.72). Probably, the revealed tendency of increasing role of the additional avalanche alimentation in low-snow years (and vice versa) is not limited by the only reference object, and it is true for any glacier prone to the avalanche influence.

THE STATE OF WINTER WHEAT PRODUCTION AND BREEDING IN THE ALTAY AREA

154 thousand hectares (64%) of winter wheat are cultivated in theAltaiTerritoryout of the 244 thousand hectares occupied by this grain crop in the whole Siberian Federal District. The main grain crop here is spring soft wheat, which is annually planted on about 2 million hectares, so the sown area of winter wheat is only 8.4%. However, in the foothill regions which grow winter grain crops, the regions with good snow reserves, the ratio of spring and winter grain crops is a bit different, the area under winter grain crops is either approaching or exceeding the spring grain crop. For the conditions of theAltaiTerritorywith a variety of soils, summer precipitation, snow cover height it is desirable to have a wide range of winter wheat varieties with different properties and traits. In the foothill regions the varieties of intensive type, with plasticity, responsiveness to intensification techniques, resistance to lodging, diseases, with high quality of grain are in demand. For more severe conditions, there is a requirement for the varieties with increased frost resistance, plasticity, medium resistance to lodging and high grain quality. The varieties of Altai breeders ‘Zhatva Altaya’ (2002) and ‘Zimushka’ (2015) are included in the List of Breeding Achievements, the variety ‘Metelitsa’ is in the State Variety Testing. In 2017, together with theFSBSIAgriculturalResearchCenter‘Donskoyʼ a new variety of winter wheat ‘Sodruzhestvo’ was sent to the variety testing. On average, during the years of study, the variety surpassed the standard variety on 0.64 t/ha, which corresponded to 16.4%. Among all the merits the variety is also characterized with high resistance to lodging, large-size grains, earlier maturity compared to all cultivated winter wheat varieties in theAltaiTerritory. The variety is intended for foothill regions of Altai and Salair for cultivation by intensive technology.

Вплив лісу на нагромадження і танення снігу в горах

На основі даних про витрати води, товщину снігового покриву і запаси води в снігу за період з 1981 по 1994 рр. для одинадцяти водозборів річок північного мегасхилу Українських Карпат (басейн річки Дністер) побудовано суміщені гідрографи стоку води і запасів води в снігу. На отриманих графіках виділено зимові паводки і весняні водопілля, для кожного з яких визначено: тривалість, запас води в снігу на початок сніготанення, об'єм поверхневого і ґрунтового стоку. На основі результатів розрахунків та морфометричних характеристик водозборів, а саме: стрімкості схилів, висоти н.р.м., лісистості, проаналізовано вплив лісових насаджень на нагромадження снігу, тривалість та об'єми поверхневого стоку зимових паводків та весняних водопіль. Встановлено, що, порівняно з метеорологічними умовами і рельєфом місцевості, лісистість має менший вплив на формування снігового покриву, проте максимальні товщини снігового покриву простежено за лісистості водозбору в діапазоні 40–60 %; максимальний прояв стокорегулювальних можливостей лісу під час формування зимових паводків спостережено за снігозапасів понад 41 мм і проявляється у збільшенні тривалості паводків на 5–17 днів; максимальний прояв стокорегулювальних можливостей лісу під час весняних водопіль спостережено за снігозапасів понад 61 мм і проявляється у зменшенні об'єму поверхневого стоку водопілля у 1,1–1,3 раза.

Estimation of Snow Reserves in Watercourses in the Arctic Region

For a reliable estimate of snow reserves in theArctic Archipelagoproper allowance must be made for snow accumulation in the areas of relief lowering such as riverbeds, ravines and canyons. As applied to calculating the water yield from the catchment area, unaccounted reserves in the channels may be even larger than recorded. For thickness of the snow cover on similar objects measuring was used Picor-Led ground-penetrating radar. Test measurements of the thickness of the snow cover performed both by radar and manually showed good repeatability of measurements. Data on snow reserves in the catchments of the Mushketov and Amba rivers were obtained using the radar method for northern part of Bolshevik Island in spring 2017.Measurements results has revealed significant differences in the amount of snow reserves between the plateau sections and the river valleys. The thickness of seasonal snow cover in the riverbeds and canyons varied widely and reached10.5 metersdepth. The average values of snow thickness cover on the plateau and in the riverbeds of the Mushketov and Amba rivers were 0.37, 1.80 and1.86 mrespectively during the period of maximum snow accumulation. Our estimates showed that snow deposits in riverbeds have specific snow reserves 6.5–7.5 times higher than specific snow reserves on the plateau. In addition,

Mapping the maximum snow reserves in the Altai Region using GIS technologies

Mapping the maximum snow reserves in the Altai Region using GIS technologies

Global Loss of Freshwater and Salination of Sea

The sea level has continuously fluctuated over geologic time. The best evidence for eustatic sea level changes was provided by geologists who studied the shifts of shorelines and recoveries resulting in sedimentary deposits also referred to as sequence stratification. Continuing global warming raised the question whether or not the melting of the glacial ice and snow reserves could result in earlier high sea levels. To answer the question the sea levels were turned to volumetric data. This was achieved by calculations i) using the radii of Earth, with and without the geometric radius of the geoid Earth, ii) selecting among data for an average sea depth, iii) comparing the volumetric values of best fitting values. Upon reliable data within 0.5% deviation were obtained, linear correlation was found between the volumes of sea that would be needed to achieve different sea levels. The calibration curve revealed that 80% (20 × 106 km3) melting of the available fresh water reserves of polar glaciers, ice sheets and permanent snow (100%, ~25 × 106 km3) would cause about 50 m sea level rise. These calculations prove that earlier high (200-300 m) sea level elevations will never be obtained due to the global loss of water to the outer space. In connection with the water deficiency, the osmotic gap between the osmotic concentration of land vertebrates (0.3 Osm) and that of sea (1.09 Osm) is reflecting the salination of ocean. Salinty changes were distinguished as short term dilution periods and a long-term salination process. Long-term salination contributed by human pollution of sea and fresh water will seriously impact future life on Earth.

Volcanic-glacial interactions: GIS applications to the assessment of lahar hazards (case study of Kamchatka)

On the Kamchatka peninsula, lahars or volcanogenic mudflows arise as a result of intensive snow melting caused by incandescent material ejected by volcanoes onto the surface. Such flows carrying volcanic ash and cinders together with lava fragments and blocks move with a speed up to 70 km/h that can result in significant destructions and even human victims. Formation of such water flows is possible during the whole year. Large-scale GIS «Hazards of lahars (volcanogenic mudflows)» has been developed for some volcano group as well as for individual volcanoes on the peninsula in framework of the GIS «Volcanic hazard of the Kuril-Kamchatka island arc». Main components of this database are the following: physic-geographical information on region of active volcanism and adjacent areas, on human settlements; data on the mudflow activity; data on distribution of the snow and ice reserves. This database is aimed at mapping of surrounding territories and estimating a hazard of lahars. For illustration the paper presents a map of the lahar hazards, results of calculations of the distances of ejects and maximal area of ejected material spreading in dependence on a character and power of an eruption. In future we plan to perform operational calculations of maximal possible volumes of such flows and areas of their spreading. The calculations will be made on the basis of the GIS «Volcanic hazard of the Kuril-Kamchatka island arc». A volume of hard material carried by lahars onto slopes and down to foot of the Kluchevskaya volcanic massif is estimated on the basis of data on the snow and ice reserves on volcano slopes. On the average for many years, the snow accumulation in zones of the mudflow formations their volume often reaches 15–17 millions of cubic meters. Depending on the snowfall activity in different years this value may vary within 50% relative to the norm. Further on, calculations of maximal possible volume of such flows will be performed in a real time regime with regard for a character of power of a volcano eruption and reserves of snow and ice in the mudflow-forming basins. The main objective of this work is an effort to reduce a risk of a mudflow formation and to prevent possible damages.

Bryophyte species composition over moisture gradients in the Windmill Islands, East Antarctica: development of a baseline for monitoring climate change impacts

Extreme environmental conditions prevail on the Antarctic continent and limit plant diversity to cryptogamic communities, dominated by bryophytes and lichens. Even small abiotic shifts, associated with climate change, are likely to have pronounced impacts on these communities that currently exist at their physiological limit of survival. Changes to moisture availability, due to precipitation shifts or alterations to permanent snow reserves, will most likely cause greatest impact. In order to establish a baseline for determining the effect of climate change on continental Antarctic terrestrial communities and to better understand bryophyte species distributions in relation to moisture in a floristically important Antarctic region, this study surveyed finescale bryophyte patterns and turf water and nutrient contents along community gradients in the Windmill Islands, East Antarctica. The survey found that the Antarctic endemic, Schistidium antarctici, dominated the wettest habitats, Bryum pseudotriquetrum distribution spanned the gradient, whilst Ceratodon purpureus and Cephaloziella varians were restricted to the driest habitats. These patterns, along with knowledge of these species relative physiology, suggest the endemic Schistidium antarctici will be negatively impacted under a drying trend. This study provides a model for quantitative finescale analysis of bryophyte distributions in cryptogamic communities and forms an important reference site for monitoring impacts of climate change in Antarctica.