LIVIVO - The Search Portal for Life Sciences

zur deutschen Oberfläche wechseln
Advanced search

Search results

Result 1 - 10 of total 34

Search options

  1. Article ; Online: Multi-decadal observations in the Alps reveal less and wetter snow, with increasing variability

    Christoph Marty / Mario B. Rohrer / Matthias Huss / Manfred Stähli

    Frontiers in Earth Science, Vol

    2023  Volume 11

    Abstract: Snowpack is an important temporal water storage for downstream areas, a potential source of natural hazards (avalanches or floods) and a prerequisite for winter tourism. Here, we use thousands of manual measurements of the water equivalent of the snow ... ...

    Abstract Snowpack is an important temporal water storage for downstream areas, a potential source of natural hazards (avalanches or floods) and a prerequisite for winter tourism. Here, we use thousands of manual measurements of the water equivalent of the snow cover (SWE) from almost 30 stations between 1,200 and 2,900 m a.s.l. from four long-term monitoring programs (earliest start in 1937) in the center of the European Alps to derive daily SWE based on snow depth data for each station. The inferred long-term daily SWE time series were analyzed regarding spatial differences, as well as potential temporal changes in variability and seasonal averages during the last 7 decades (1957–2022). The investigation based on important hydro-climatological SWE indicators demonstrates significant decreasing trends for mean SWE (Nov-Apr) and for maximum SWE, as well as a significantly earlier occurrence of the maximum SWE and earlier disappearance of the continuous snow cover. The anomalies of mean SWE revealed that the series of low-snow winters since the 1990s is unprecedented since the beginning of measurements. Increased melting during the accumulation period below 2000 m a.s.l is also observed–especially in the most recent years–as well as slower melt rates in spring, and higher day-to-day variability. For these trends no regional differences were found despite the climatological variability of the investigated stations. This indicates that the results are transferable to other regions of the Alps.
    Keywords snow water equivalent ; monitoring ; European alps ; climate warming ; variability ; measurement ; Science ; Q
    Subject code 551
    Language English
    Publishing date 2023-06-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

    More links

    Kategorien

  2. Article ; Online: Future retreat of Great Aletsch Glacier

    Guillaume Jouvet / Matthias Huss

    Journal of Glaciology, Vol 65, Pp 869-

    2019  Volume 872

    Abstract: We model the future evolution of the largest glacier of the European Alps – Great Aletsch Glacier, Switzerland – during the 21st century. For that purpose we use a detailed three-dimensional model, which combines full Stokes ice dynamics and surface mass ...

    Abstract We model the future evolution of the largest glacier of the European Alps – Great Aletsch Glacier, Switzerland – during the 21st century. For that purpose we use a detailed three-dimensional model, which combines full Stokes ice dynamics and surface mass balance forced with the most recent climate projections (CH2018), as well as with climate data of the last decades. As a result, all CH2018 climate scenarios yield a major glacier retreat: Results range from a loss of 60% of today's ice volume by 2100 for a moderate CO2 emission scenario (RCP2.6) being in line with the Paris agreement to an almost complete wastage of the ice for the most extreme emission scenario (RCP8.5). Our model results also provide evidence that half of the mass loss is already committed under the climate conditions of the last decade.
    Keywords Climate change ; ice dynamics ; mountain glaciers ; Environmental sciences ; GE1-350 ; Meteorology. Climatology ; QC851-999
    Language English
    Publishing date 2019-10-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher Cambridge University Press
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

    More links

    Kategorien

  3. Article ; Online: Limited impact of climate forcing products on future glacier evolution in Scandinavia and Iceland

    Loris Compagno / Harry Zekollari / Matthias Huss / Daniel Farinotti

    Journal of Glaciology, Vol 67, Pp 727-

    2021  Volume 743

    Abstract: Due to climate change, worldwide glaciers are rapidly declining. The trend will continue into the future, with consequences for sea level, water availability and tourism. Here, we assess the future evolution of all glaciers in Scandinavia and Iceland ... ...

    Abstract Due to climate change, worldwide glaciers are rapidly declining. The trend will continue into the future, with consequences for sea level, water availability and tourism. Here, we assess the future evolution of all glaciers in Scandinavia and Iceland until 2100 using the coupled surface mass-balance ice-flow model GloGEMflow. The model is initialised with three distinct past climate data products (E-OBS, ERA-I, ERA-5), while future climate is prescribed by both global and regional climate models (GCMs and RCMs), in order to analyze their impact on glacier evolution. By 2100, we project Scandinavian glaciers to lose between 67 ± 18% and 90 ± 7% of their present-day (2018) volume under a low (RCP2.6) and a high (RCP8.5) emission scenario, respectively. Over the same period, losses for Icelandic glaciers are projected to be between 43 ± 11% (RCP2.6) and 85 ± 7% (RCP8.5). The projected evolution is only little impacted by both the choice of climate data products used in the past and the spatial resolution of the future climate projections, with differences in the ice volume remaining by 2100 of 7 and 5%, respectively. This small sensitivity is attributed to our model calibration strategy that relies on observed glacier-specific mass balances and thus compensates for differences between climate forcing products.
    Keywords Climate change ; glacier flow ; glacier mass balance ; glacier modelling ; glacier volume ; Environmental sciences ; GE1-350 ; Meteorology. Climatology ; QC851-999
    Subject code 333
    Language English
    Publishing date 2021-08-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher Cambridge University Press
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

    More links

    Kategorien

  4. Article ; Online: Future growth and decline of high mountain Asia's ice-dammed lakes and associated risk

    Loris Compagno / Matthias Huss / Harry Zekollari / Evan S. Miles / Daniel Farinotti

    Communications Earth & Environment, Vol 3, Iss 1, Pp 1-

    2022  Volume 9

    Abstract: More than 10,000 locations in High-Mountain Asia are identified as likely to host ice-dammed lakes, responsible for most of the glacier outburst floods in High-Mountain Asia, using a combination of a digital elevation model and a glacier model. ...

    Abstract More than 10,000 locations in High-Mountain Asia are identified as likely to host ice-dammed lakes, responsible for most of the glacier outburst floods in High-Mountain Asia, using a combination of a digital elevation model and a glacier model.
    Keywords Geology ; QE1-996.5 ; Environmental sciences ; GE1-350
    Language English
    Publishing date 2022-08-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher Nature Portfolio
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

    More links

    Kategorien

  5. Article ; Online: More than a century of direct glacier mass-balance observations on Claridenfirn, Switzerland

    Matthias Huss / Andreas Bauder / Andreas Linsbauer / Jeannette Gabbi / Giovanni Kappenberger / Urs Steinegger / Daniel Farinotti

    Journal of Glaciology, Vol 67, Pp 697-

    2021  Volume 713

    Abstract: Glacier mass-balance observations at seasonal resolution have been performed since 1914 at two sites on Claridenfirn, Switzerland. The measurements are the longest uninterrupted records of glacier mass balance worldwide. Here, we provide a complete re- ... ...

    Abstract Glacier mass-balance observations at seasonal resolution have been performed since 1914 at two sites on Claridenfirn, Switzerland. The measurements are the longest uninterrupted records of glacier mass balance worldwide. Here, we provide a complete re-analysis of the 106-year series (1914–2020), focusing on both point and glacier-wide mass balance. The approaches to evaluate and homogenize the direct observations are described in detail. Based on conservative assumptions, average uncertainties of $\pm$0.25 m w.e. are estimated for glacier-wide mass balances at the annual scale. It is demonstrated that long-term variations in mass balance are clearly driven by melting, whereas decadal changes in accumulation are uncorrelated with mass balance and can only be relevant in short periods. Mass change of Claridenfirn is impacted by dry calving at a frontal ice cliff. Considerations of ice volume flux at a cross-profile reveal long-term variations in frontal ice loss accounting for $\sim$9% of total annual ablation on average. The effect of changes in frontal ablation mostly explains $\lt$10% of the mass-balance difference relative to the period 1960–1990, but accounts for $\sim$20% in 2010–2020. Glacier mass changes are discussed in the context of observations throughout the European Alps indicating that Claridenfirn is regionally representative.
    Keywords Accumulation ; glacier monitoring ; mass-balance reconstruction ; surface ; melt ; Environmental sciences ; GE1-350 ; Meteorology. Climatology ; QC851-999
    Subject code 520
    Language English
    Publishing date 2021-08-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher Cambridge University Press
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

    More links

    Kategorien

  6. Article ; Online: Calibrated Ice Thickness Estimate for All Glaciers in Austria

    Kay Helfricht / Matthias Huss / Andrea Fischer / Jan-Christoph Otto

    Frontiers in Earth Science, Vol

    2019  Volume 7

    Abstract: Knowledge on ice thickness distribution and total ice volume is a prerequisite for computing future glacier change for both glaciological and hydrological applications. Various ice thickness estimation methods have been developed but regional differences ...

    Abstract Knowledge on ice thickness distribution and total ice volume is a prerequisite for computing future glacier change for both glaciological and hydrological applications. Various ice thickness estimation methods have been developed but regional differences in fundamental model parameters are substantial. Parameters calibrated with measured data at specific points in time and space can vary when glacier geometry and dynamics change. This study contributes to a better understanding of accuracies and limitations of modeled ice thicknesses by taking advantage of a comprehensive data set of in-situ ice thickness measurements from 58 glaciers in the Austrian Alps and observed glacier geometries of three Austrian glacier inventories (GI) between 1969 and 2006. The field data are used to calibrate an established ice thickness model to calculate an improved ice thickness data set for the Austrian Alps. A cross-validation between modeled and measured point ice thickness indicates a model uncertainty of 25–31% of the measured point ice thickness. The comparison of the modeled and measured average glacier ice thickness revealed an underestimation of 5% with a mean standard deviation of 15% for the glaciers with calibration data. The apparent mass balance gradient, the primary model parameter accounting for the effects of surface mass balance distribution as well as ice flux, substantially decreases over time and has to be adjusted for each temporal increment to correctly reproduce observed ice thickness. This reflects the general stagnation of glaciers in Austria. Using the calibrated parameter set, 93% of the observed ice thickness change on a glacier-specific scale could be captured for the periods between the GI. We applied optimized apparent mass balance gradients to all glaciers of the latest Austrian glacier inventory and found a volume of 15.9 km3 for the year 2006. The ten largest glaciers account for 25% of area and 35% of total ice volume. An estimate based on mass balance measurements from nine glaciers indicates ...
    Keywords glacier ; ice thickness measurements ; glacier inventory ; glacier modeling ; climate change ; ice cover ; Science ; Q
    Subject code 550
    Language English
    Publishing date 2019-04-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

    More links

    Kategorien

  7. Article ; Online: A Bayesian ice thickness estimation model for large-scale applications

    Mauro A. Werder / Matthias Huss / Frank Paul / Amaury Dehecq / Daniel Farinotti

    Journal of Glaciology, Vol 66, Pp 137-

    2020  Volume 152

    Abstract: Accurate estimations of ice thickness and volume are indispensable for ice flow modelling, hydrological forecasts and sea-level rise projections. We present a new ice thickness estimation model based on a mass-conserving forward model and a Bayesian ... ...

    Abstract Accurate estimations of ice thickness and volume are indispensable for ice flow modelling, hydrological forecasts and sea-level rise projections. We present a new ice thickness estimation model based on a mass-conserving forward model and a Bayesian inversion scheme. The forward model calculates flux in an elevation-band flow-line model, and translates this into ice thickness and surface ice speed using a shallow ice formulation. Both ice thickness and speed are then extrapolated to the map plane. The model assimilates observations of ice thickness and speed using a Bayesian scheme implemented with a Markov chain Monte Carlo method, which calculates estimates of ice thickness and their error. We illustrate the model's capabilities by applying it to a mountain glacier, validate the model using 733 glaciers from four regions with ice thickness measurements, and demonstrate that the model can be used for large-scale studies by fitting it to over 30 000 glaciers from five regions. The results show that the model performs best when a few thickness observations are available; that the proposed scheme by which parameter-knowledge from a set of glaciers is transferred to others works but has room for improvements; and that the inferred regional ice volumes are consistent with recent estimates.
    Keywords Glacier modelling ; glacier volume ; glacier flow ; Environmental sciences ; GE1-350 ; Meteorology. Climatology ; QC851-999
    Language English
    Publishing date 2020-02-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher Cambridge University Press
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

    More links

    Kategorien

  8. Article ; Online: Climate change impacts on future snow, ice and rain runoff in a Swiss mountain catchment using multi-dataset calibration

    Simon Etter / Nans Addor / Matthias Huss / David Finger

    Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies, Vol 13, Iss C, Pp 222-

    2017  Volume 239

    Abstract: Study region: The hydropower reservoir of Gigerwald is located in the alpine valley Calfeisental in eastern Switzerland. The lake is fed by runoff from rain, snow melt and ice melt from a few small glaciers, as well as by water collected in a ... ...

    Abstract Study region: The hydropower reservoir of Gigerwald is located in the alpine valley Calfeisental in eastern Switzerland. The lake is fed by runoff from rain, snow melt and ice melt from a few small glaciers, as well as by water collected in a neighbouring valley. Study focus: Water resources in the Alps are projected to undergo substantial changes in the coming decades. It is therefore essential to explore climate change impacts in catchments with hydropower facilities. We present a multi-dataset calibration (MDC) using discharge, snowcover data and glacier mass balances for an ensemble of hydrological simulations performed using the Hydrologiska Byråns Vattenbalansavdelning (HBV)-light model. The objective is to predict the future changes in hydrological processes in the catchment and to assess the benefits of a MDC compared to a traditional calibration to discharge only. New hydrological insights for the region: We found that the annual runoff dynamics will undergo significant changes with more runoff in winter and less in summer by shifting parts of the summer melt runoff to an earlier peak in spring. We furthermore found that the MDC reduces the uncertainty in the projections of glacial runoff and leads to a different distribution of runoff throughout the year than if calibrated to discharge only. We therefore argue that MDC leads to more consistent model results by representing the runoff generation processes more realistically.
    Keywords Physical geography ; GB3-5030 ; Geology ; QE1-996.5
    Subject code 550
    Language English
    Publishing date 2017-10-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher Elsevier
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

    More links

    Kategorien

  9. Article ; Online: The New Swiss Glacier Inventory SGI2016

    Andreas Linsbauer / Matthias Huss / Elias Hodel / Andreas Bauder / Mauro Fischer / Yvo Weidmann / Hans Bärtschi / Emanuel Schmassmann

    Frontiers in Earth Science, Vol

    From a Topographical to a Glaciological Dataset

    2021  Volume 9

    Abstract: Glaciers in Switzerland are shrinking rapidly in response to ongoing climate change. Repeated glacier inventories are key to monitor such changes at the regional scale. Here we present the new Swiss Glacier Inventory 2016 (SGI2016) that has been acquired ...

    Abstract Glaciers in Switzerland are shrinking rapidly in response to ongoing climate change. Repeated glacier inventories are key to monitor such changes at the regional scale. Here we present the new Swiss Glacier Inventory 2016 (SGI2016) that has been acquired based on sub-meter resolution aerial imagery and digital elevation models, bringing together topographical and glaciological approaches and knowledge. We define the process, workflow and required glaciological adaptations to compile a highly detailed inventory based on the digital Swiss Topographic Landscape model. The SGI2016 provides glacier outlines (areas), supraglacial debris cover and ice divides for all Swiss glaciers referring to the years 2013–2018. The SGI2016 maps 1,400 individual glacier entities with a total surface area of 961 ± 22 km2, whereof 11% (104 km2) are debris-covered. It constitutes the so far most detailed cartographic representation of glacier extent in Switzerland. Interpretation in the context of topographic parameters indicates that glaciers with moderate inclination and low median elevation tend to have highest fractions of supraglacial debris. Glacier-specific area changes since 1973 show the largest relative changes for small and low-elevation glaciers. The analysis further indicates a tendency for glaciers with a high share of supraglacial debris to show larger relative area changes. Between 1973 and 2016, an area change rate of –0.6% a−1 is found. Based on operational data sets and the presented methodology, the Swiss Glacier Inventory will be updated in 6-yr time intervals, leading to a high consistency in future glacier change assessments.
    Keywords glacier ; glacier inventory ; change assessment ; glacier mapping ; debris cover ; Science ; Q
    Subject code 550
    Language English
    Publishing date 2021-10-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

    More links

    Kategorien

  10. Article: Climate change impacts on future snow, ice and rain runoff in a Swiss mountain catchment using multi-dataset calibration

    Etter, Simon / David Finger / Matthias Huss / Nans Addor

    Journal of hydrology. 2017 Oct., v. 13

    2017  

    Abstract: The hydropower reservoir of Gigerwald is located in the alpine valley Calfeisental in eastern Switzerland. The lake is fed by runoff from rain, snow melt and ice melt from a few small glaciers, as well as by water collected in a neighbouring valley.Water ...

    Abstract The hydropower reservoir of Gigerwald is located in the alpine valley Calfeisental in eastern Switzerland. The lake is fed by runoff from rain, snow melt and ice melt from a few small glaciers, as well as by water collected in a neighbouring valley.Water resources in the Alps are projected to undergo substantial changes in the coming decades. It is therefore essential to explore climate change impacts in catchments with hydropower facilities. We present a multi-dataset calibration (MDC) using discharge, snowcover data and glacier mass balances for an ensemble of hydrological simulations performed using the Hydrologiska Byråns Vattenbalansavdelning (HBV)-light model. The objective is to predict the future changes in hydrological processes in the catchment and to assess the benefits of a MDC compared to a traditional calibration to discharge only.We found that the annual runoff dynamics will undergo significant changes with more runoff in winter and less in summer by shifting parts of the summer melt runoff to an earlier peak in spring. We furthermore found that the MDC reduces the uncertainty in the projections of glacial runoff and leads to a different distribution of runoff throughout the year than if calibrated to discharge only. We therefore argue that MDC leads to more consistent model results by representing the runoff generation processes more realistically.
    Keywords climate change ; glaciers ; ice ; lakes ; melting ; models ; rain ; runoff ; snow ; snowmelt ; snowpack ; spring ; summer ; uncertainty ; water power ; watersheds ; winter ; Alps region ; Switzerland
    Language English
    Dates of publication 2017-10
    Size p. 222-239.
    Publishing place Elsevier B.V.
    Document type Article
    ZDB-ID 2814784-4
    ISSN 2214-5818
    ISSN 2214-5818
    DOI 10.1016/j.ejrh.2017.08.005
    Database NAL-Catalogue (AGRICOLA)

    More links

    Kategorien

To top