In the general context of global warming, the cryosphere appears as an environment that exhibits a strong sensitivity to climate variations. Overall, glacier systems are now known to be reliable indicators of climate trends. Although glacier dynamics are subject to international monitoring networks, periglacial environments are much less observed. However, these newly deglaciated areas get wider since glaciers are retreating, and their dynamics become increasingly significant. The observed increase in water fluxes, temperature and precipitation, permafrost melting, and reduced cold periods induce a combined control on modifications of the glacier and periglacial dynamics. Such consequences are also visible on the landscape, hinting at an adaptation of the environment to the climatic forcing. The work carried out focuses on Austre Lovénbreen area, a small 10‐km2 glacier basin (Svalbard, 78.87°N, 12.15°E, west coast of Spitsbergen) exhibiting typical arctic glacial retreat trends. Its geomorphological characteristics as well as its observatory status make it an appropriate control area. Our investigations are based on a combination of classical on‐site snow, ice, and geomorphological measurements, combined with innovative methods using aerial photography (e.g., from unmanned aerial systems) and digital photogrammetric image processing. Such data currently complement classical remote sensing methods (satellite imagery), providing both improved resolution and high temporal repeatability. Indeed, short acquisition time and flexibility allows measurements within very short time intervals, a requirement when short events are significant in the whole system evolution: The speed at which climatic change‐related events occur requires such fine‐grained spatial and temporal monitoring. This work highlights an increase of sediment transfers during the last decade that ties in with the increasing liquid precipitation as well as a trend of rising temperatures. The newly deglaciated area, particularly at the glacier front, is in constant and fast reshaping, which is quantifiable from 1 year to another, assessing the increase of periglacial landscape modification. This small‐scale detailed analysis enlightens on global processes occurring in Arctic regions demonstrating ongoing geomorphological and landscape changes as a consequence of glacier retreat and newly exposed periglacial environments.
Erosion and sedimentation in water courses represent a major and costly problem everywhere on the planet. Perception of local actors of the state of the river can be a useful source of information to document the river's changes. The main objective of this study consists of understanding how multiple data sources can be used for identifying the most sensitive areas subject to erosion and sedimentation in a watershed. To achieve our objective we combined three complementary methods: conducting interviews, estimating the most sensitive soil loss areas using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation for Application in Canada (RUSLEFAC) and taking measurements of environmental variables (turbidity, deposition rate, particle size, water quality, rainfall). The information gathered from the interviews allowed us to determine which areas were the most affected (e.g., either erosion or deposition). However, we observed that there were some differences between the areas identified by the participants and those obtained from the RUSLEFAC and in situ measurements. Among these differences, participants identified sites which were the results of misuse or bad practices (e.g., ATV). By contrast sensitive sites for erosion, as identified using RUSLEFAC, are instead areas of steep slopes, located near the river without forest cover. The in situ measurements were very helpful in establishing background values for turbidity but also for comparing quantitative information (e.g., particle size) with what was reported in the interviews.
Le tourisme est une des activités dont l’économie est très dépendante des variations du climat, à travers, par exemple des ambiances thermiques favorables, ou encore des chutes de neige en quantité et en qualité suffisante permettant la pratique des activités d’hiver. Afin d’établir un diagnostic précis des évolutions climatiques aujourd’hui avérées (GIEC, 2007) et de leurs influences sur les attentes des professionnels du milieu touristique (hébergeurs, restaurateurs, institutionnels…) à travers leurs perceptions, une enquête électronique a été menée au sein du département de la Drôme auprès de 2 404 acteurs recensés pour leur appartenance au secteur du tourisme. Cette étude est effectuée dans le cadre du programme de recherche DECLIC (Drôme : Eau, Climat et Impacts liés aux Changements) mené en collaboration avec le Conseil général de la Drôme, et inscrit dans le programme national GICC-2 (Gestion et Impacts du Changement Climatique) du MEEDDM (ministère français de l’Environnement et du Développement durable)
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