Spatial and Temporal Variation Characteristics of Glacier Resources in Xinjiang over the Past 50 Years

Changes in glacier resources and their meltwater runoff contributions in Xinjiang are significant to the hydrological processes and water resources utilization. This study used the first and second Chinese Glacier Inventory, geomorphological and meteorological data. GIS spatial analysis technology was used to explore the characteristics of glacier change and its response to topography and climate change in Xinjiang in the last 50 years. The results show that there are currently 20,695 glaciers in Xinjiang with a total area of 22,742.55 km(2) and ice reserves of about 2229.17 km(3). Glaciers in Xinjiang are concentrated at 5100-6000 m. The Tianshan mountains have the largest number of glaciers. However, the Kunlun mountains have the largest glaciers and ice reserves. The scale of glaciers is significantly larger in the south than that in the north. The changes in glaciers in Xinjiang during the last 50 years are mainly receding and splitting, and their number, area, and ice reserves have decreased by 1359, 7080.12 km(2) and 482.65 km(3), respectively. Small glaciers are more sensitive to climate change. Glaciers are basically unchanged in regions above 6000 m. The glaciers on the south slope of mountains are more susceptible to climate change. The phenomenon of an increase in the number of glaciers but decreasing total area in the southern mountains is related to glacier extinction and splitting. Glacier development and formation are determined by the combination of topography and hydrothermal material conditions. The change of glacier areas in Xinjiang is jointly affected by climatic conditions (53.45%) and topographic conditions (46.55%), among which climatic conditions are more prominent.

Automated summary

Changes in glacier resources and their meltwater runoff in Xinjiang have significant implications for hydrological processes and water resources utilization. This study utilized Chinese Glacier Inventory, geomorphological, and meteorological data, along with GIS spatial analysis technology, to investigate the characteristics of glacier change and its response to topography and climate change in Xinjiang over the past 50 years. The results reveal that Xinjiang currently has 20,695 glaciers with a total area of 22,742.55 km(2) and ice reserves of approximately 2229.17 km(3). Glaciers in Xinjiang are concentrated at 5100-6000 m, with the Tianshan mountains having the highest number of glaciers and the Kunlun mountains having the largest glaciers and ice reserves. The changes observed in Xinjiang's glaciers during the past 50 years primarily involve recession and splitting, resulting in a decrease in the number, area, and ice reserves of glaciers by 1359, 7080.12 km(2), and 482.65 km(3), respectively. Small glaciers exhibit higher sensitivity to climate change, while glaciers above 6000 m remain relatively stable. Glaciers on the southern slopes of mountains are more susceptible to climate change. The phenomenon of an increase in the number of glaciers but a decrease in total area in the southern mountains can be attributed to glacier extinction and splitting. The development and formation of glaciers are determined by the combination of topography and hydrothermal material conditions, with climatic conditions exerting a more prominent influence on glacier area changes in Xinjiang.