Simulation of permafrost changes on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, China, over the past three decades

Xu, Xiao‐Ming; Zhang, Zhongqiong; Wu, Qingbai

doi:10.1080/17538947.2016.1237571

Cited by 35 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…Thus, in some studies, AT y was also used as a thawing index which is important in evaluating the areal distribution of permafrost and seasonally frozen ground [5,29]. Xu et al indicated that the total area of permafrost decreased by 2.48 × 10 5 km 2 on the QTP over the past three decades (1981 to 2010) [30]. Yin et al indicated that the active layer depth around the Beilu River (in the northern part of our study area) increased by at least 42 cm from 2003 to 2016 [13].…”

Section: Relationships Among Climate Change Permafrost Degradation mentioning

confidence: 99%

Vegetation Changes along the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Engineering Corridor Since 2000 Induced by Climate Change and Human Activities

2018

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Abstract:The Qinghai-Tibet (QT) Plateau Engineering Corridor is located in the hinterland of the QT Plateau, which is highly sensitive to global climate change. Climate change causes permafrost degradation, which subsequently affects vegetation growth. This study focused on the vegetation dynamics and their relationships with climate change and human activities in the region surrounding the QT Plateau Engineering Corridor. The vegetation changes were inferred by applying trend analysis, the Mann-Kendall trend test and abrupt change analysis. Six key regions, each containing 40 nested quadrats that ranged in size from 500 × 500 m to 20 × 20 km, were selected to determine the spatial scales of the impacts from different factors. Cumulative growing season integrated enhanced vegetation index (CGSIEVI) values were calculated for each of the nested quadrats of different sizes to indicate the overall vegetation state over the entire year at different spatial scales. The impacts from human activities, a sudden increase in precipitation and permafrost degradation were quantified at different spatial scales using the CGSIEVI values and meteorological data based on the double mass curve method. Three conclusions were derived. First, the vegetation displayed a significant increasing trend over 23.6% of the study area. The areas displaying increases were mainly distributed in the Hoh Xil. Of the area where the vegetation displayed a significant decreasing trend, 72.4% was made up of alpine meadows. Second, more vegetation, especially the alpine meadows, has begun to degenerate or experience more rapid degradation since 2007 due to permafrost degradation and overgrazing. Finally, an active layer depth of 3 m to 3.2 m represents a limiting depth for alpine meadows.

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Section: Relationships Among Climate Change Permafrost Degradation mentioning

confidence: 99%

Vegetation Changes along the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Engineering Corridor Since 2000 Induced by Climate Change and Human Activities

2018

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“…As the first railway introduced to the Third Pole, the QTR has received considerable attention, with most research on the associated ecological and environmental issues [34][35][36][37][38], while accessibility and socioeconomic-related studies are rare. Only several initial qualitative studies on this theme can be found, which do not fully reflect the socioeconomic influences of the QTR.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impacts of the Qinghai–Tibet Railway on Accessibility and Economic Linkage of the Third Pole

Gong

Deng

et al. 2018

Sustainability

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Constructing the Qinghai–Tibet Railway (QTR) was a landmark project and was beneficial to the sustainable development of the Third Pole. To understand the sustainable development of remote regions by the provision of railway, we studied the QTR’s impact on accessibilities and economic linkages for four cities in the Third Pole, Xining, Golmud, Nagqu, and Lhasa, and between these four cities and 29 capital cities in mid-eastern China. First, employing average shortest travel time (ASTT) and weighted average travel time (WATT) as indicators, we calculated the railway-based accessibilities for June 2006 and January 2013. Then, using a gravity model, railway-based economic linkages were determined. The results demonstrate that: (i) ASTT for Xining–Golmud decreased by 4.14 h from June 2006 to January 2013. Both ASTT and WATT indicated that the accessibilities of the four cities and between these four cities and 29 capital cities in mid-eastern China improved significantly, and the spatial disparity in accessibility for the four cities decreased, which increased the balance and sustainability of the transportation system; (ii) the average contribution rate of the QTR to improving economic linkages for six routes among the four cities was 25.29%, with the Xining–Nagqu and Nagqu–Lhasa linkages improving most significantly; (iii) the QTR strengthened economic linkages between the four cities and mid-eastern cities. Because of the QTR, the economic linkages between the four cities and 29 capital cities increased 27.58% on average. The spatial disparity in interurban economic linkages also decreased. Transporting products from Tibet should be promoted to strengthen the sustainability of economic growth.

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“…Permafrost underlies more than 67% of the land area on the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau (QTP), and more than 1500 lakes are present on the plateau . Previous studies have suggested that the QTP has undergone progressive warming in recent decades . Climate warming‐induced permafrost degradation results in deepening of the active layer and melting of ground ice near the permafrost table .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using stable isotopes to illuminate thermokarst lake hydrology in permafrost regions on the Qinghai‐Tibet plateau, China

Yang

Hou

et al. 2019

Permafrost & Periglacial

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Thermokarst lakes are widespread and developing on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP), and they have modified hydrological processes and water balance in the region.Despite increasing attention, our understanding of the hydrological behaviors of thermokarst lakes under permafrost degradation remains limited on the QTP. In this study, water stable isotope tracers were used to characterize the spatial and seasonal hydrological changes of thermokarst lakes on the central QTP. Significant seasonal variations and factors influencing the isotopic hydrology of lakes were revealed through the ice-free season. Substantial differences in lake-specific input water isotope compositions (δ I ) among the lakes indicate two lake-recharge regimes: raindominated, and snowmelt/permafrost thaw-dominated. We suggest that precipitation and active-layer hydrology controlled these hydrological changes in the ice-free season. However, under ice cover, melting of the surrounding permafrost (including ground ice) dominated the hydrology of thermokarst lakes. Importantly, a conceptual model delineates the hydrological evolution of thermokarst lakes under permafrost degradation. This study serves as a baseline for future investigations of hydrological processes and water balance relating to thawing permafrost on the QTP.

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Simulation of permafrost changes on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, China, over the past three decades

Cited by 35 publications

References 39 publications

Vegetation Changes along the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Engineering Corridor Since 2000 Induced by Climate Change and Human Activities

Vegetation Changes along the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Engineering Corridor Since 2000 Induced by Climate Change and Human Activities

Impacts of the Qinghai–Tibet Railway on Accessibility and Economic Linkage of the Third Pole

Using stable isotopes to illuminate thermokarst lake hydrology in permafrost regions on the Qinghai‐Tibet plateau, China

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