Ice and snow on the retreat: what climate change means for our water

As glaciers melt due to climate change, the runoff into the streams is decreasing. Photo: gelilewa - stock.adobe.com

Artificial snow slopes wind their way through green forests and meadows. Last winter once again took a heavy toll on ski resorts. But climate change is not only a major challenge for tourism. If it is too mild and dry during the cold season, this also has a negative impact on the water balance. "The snow cover fulfils an important function. When it melts in spring, it supplies the rivers and replenishes the groundwater," says Wolfgang Schöner from the Department of Geography and Regional Science at the University of Graz. The researcher is involved in a new study on the effects of climate change on Austria's water management. The study was commissioned by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Climate and Environmental Protection, Regions and Water Management (BML).

Extreme weather events are on the increase due to global warming. Whether heavy rain with flooding or dry periods, Austria's water management system must adapt to the changing climatic conditions. A new study by the BML with the participation of several universities and GeoSphere Austria is intended to provide the scientific basis for developing measures to secure the water supply and for protection against heavy rain, flooding and drought.

The task of Wolfgang Schöner and his team at the University of Graz is to summarise the current state of knowledge regarding the influence of ice and snow – the so-called cryosphere – on the water balance. "When the glaciers shrink, the runoff into the rivers is reduced and is particularly lacking in times of drought. Without a sufficient snow cover, the soil dries out more quickly and the groundwater cannot be replenished," says the researcher. In addition, there is the thawing of the permafrost: "This releases large amounts of debris, which in turn favours the formation of mudflows and increases the sediment transport of the rivers, thus increasing the risk of damage in the event of flooding," explains Schöner.

Other partners in the project are TU Wien, GeoSphere Austria, BOKU University and the engineering firm DI Holler.

More information on the BML study "Wasser im Klimawandel – Unsere Wasserwirtschaft 2050+" (German only)

Wolfgang Schöner is head of the research group "Climate Change in Mountain Regions" at the Department of Geography and Regional Science at the University of Graz and part of the profile area "Climate Change Graz".

⇒ Those interested in the relationships between society and the environment and how they change in space and time, can study Geography at the University of Graz.

Gudrun Pichler

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