Glaciers respond sensitively to the fluctuations of the climate. What consequences will glacier changes have on the water resources in the Alpine region? And which adaptation strategies will have to be applied to water management?
Background
Glaciers are important sources of water for large parts of the Alps and their variations are among the clearest natural indicators of ongoing climate change. The expected reduction of ice volume will lead first to higher and later to reduced annual runoff depending on the glaciated area. This will also affect the regime of the discharge. Glacier shrinkage impacts many sectors that depend on glacier melt water, like hydropower, fresh water supply, irrigation and tourism.
Aim
The aim of the project is to better understand the glacier evolution under climate change and its consequences on water resources. For the main glaciers of Switzerland, we will calculate the past and present changes of glacier volumes. Realistic simulation of precipitation and temperature on the scale of a glacier based on regional climate scenarios will be used. On this basis, the future glacier evolution in the Alps will be modelled, including the behaviour of glacier melt and water storage in glaciers. Together with hydropower companies, adaptive measures for the management of hydropower plants will be designed.
Significance
The expected influences of climate change on glaciers and hydrology in high mountain regions pose a new challenge to water resource management, especially to hydropower production and other water uses. The results will make it easier to understand the ongoing processes and it will be possible to deliver recommendations for adaptation strategies.
Original title: Future glacier evolution and consequences for the hydrology (FUGE)
Grant: CHF 400’000.-
Duration: 36 months
Project leaders
- Prof. Dr. Martin Funk, Versuchsanstalt für Wasserbau, Hydrologie und Glaziologie (VAW), ETH Zürich
- Dr. Andreas Bauder, Versuchsanstalt für Wasserbau, Hydrologie und Glaziologie (VAW), ETH Zürich
- Prof. Dr. Paolo Burlando, Institut für Umweltingenieurwissenschaften,
ETH Zürich
- Dr. Martin Lüthi, Versuchsanstalt für Wasserbau Hydrologie und Glaziologie (VAW), ETH Zürich
- Dr. Francesca Pellicciotti, Institut für Umweltingenieurwissenschaften,
ETH Zürich
- Dr. Franco Romerio, Institut des sciences de l’environnement, Université de Genève