Dendrochronological fieldwork in the Eastern Himalaya
Université de Lausanne - UNIL
Lay summary
In the Himalayas, glacier-fed rivers are the primary sources of fresh water for millions of people downstream. Climate-change induced seasonal snow and glacier melt may have tremendous impacts on streamflow in such basins as a result of the sensitivity of the cryosphere to rising temperatures. Such impacts may be combined with anthropogenic interventions (e.g. hydropower) and land use changes. Not only are water resources likely to be significantly impacted but also natural hazards, notably glacial lake outburst floods or GLOFs. As a result, it is crucial to understand how snow and glacier melt during both the high and low-flow (monsoon and non-monsoon) seasons influence river discharge and its variation. The project aims to quantify how climate change is simultaneously impacting both water-related risks and water-related resources in the Himalayas and, crucially, how far downstream. It does so by combining anatomical with isotope analysis of tree rings, and by sampling over large distances downstream in the Eastern Himalayan River basins. The project has three specific research questions; RQ1: Can the use of anatomical analysis of tree rings and isotope determination of their cellulose be used to construct combined records of changing water supply and flood frequency in the Eastern Himalayan River Basins? RQ2: Is it possible to construct long time-scale and large space-scale combined records of changing water sources and changing flood frequency? RQ3: What is the spatial extent of the changing flood frequency and water supply? This research will provide scientific evidence to understand the history of both extreme flow events and changing water sources. The key findings will be then shared with local government officials to develop strategies for water resource management and flood risk mitigation.
Details
| Regional focus | High-altitude |
| Location | Upper Teesta and Lachung Chu Catchments in the North Sikkim of Eastern Himalaya |
| Funded amount | 19,500 CHF |
| Project dates | 1st May 2022 – 28th February 2023 |
| Category | Polar Access Fund |
Field Notes
Test link field notesDendrochronological fieldwork in the Eastern Himalayas to understand changes to water resources and natural hazards in the context of climate change