Objective:

To understand the impact of debris cover on glacier melt in the Himalaya-Karakoram, Pakistan.

Activities:

1. Install stakes at various debris cover points on the selected glaciers and measure daily melt rates.
2. Measure glacier surface at different altitudes and the thickness of debris layer using differential global positioning system (DGPS) in glacier ablation zones.
3. Install temperature data loggers on and below the debris cover to estimate temperature variability.
4. Install automatic weather station and carry out glacier discharge measurements.

Background of Participating Institutes

IRES, Yunnan University, aims to generate theoretical and practical research on transboundary rivers and associated questions of natural resources and ecological security in Asia. IRES also aims to serve as a base for training professionals who understand the complex issues related to transboundary rivers.

Visit their website: http://www.ires.ynu.edu.cn/

GCISC is a research institute for climate change studies in Pakistan. The centre conducts national-level R&D efforts, capacity building exercises, policy analysis, and information dissemination activities. It assists national planners and policymakers on issues related to past and projected future climatic changes in the country, their likely impacts on key socio-economic sectors of the country such as glaciers, water, food, agriculture, energy, forestry, health, and ecology, and appropriate adaptation and mitigation measures.

Visit their website: http://www.gcisc.org.pk/

ICIMOD is a regional intergovernmental learning and knowledge sharing centre serving eight regional member countries in the Hindu Kush Himalaya – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan – and based in Kathmandu, Nepal.