What is the cryosphere?
Changes in the cryosphere Change in precipitation from snow to rain
Degradation of mountain permafrost
Shift of snow and glaciers to higher elevations
Reduction in glacier area and volume
Cryosphere
Snow
Glacier The seasonal melting of the cryosphere contributes to peak flow in summer
Permafrost
-30%
Melting starts earlier and faster 1970
2020
The cryosphere in Central Asia Melt water from snow and glaciers runs hydropower turbines ... ... contributes to crop irrigation ...
Home to flagship species
Danger from glacial lakes, avalanches
... and the supply of drinking water
! Irrigation
Energy
Ecosystems
Cities
Water and the cryosphere Tien Shan
The Pamirs
1 800 km
2
15 500 km
2
Syr Darya
The future
Snow
More rain
Excessive water supply due to intense melting
Contribution of glacial melt water to upstream river flow
10%
Today
Lack of water supply in summer
40% Amu Darya
Project partners and funders
United Nations Global Environment Development Programme Facility
Participating countries
Kazakhstan
Kyrgyzstan
Tajikistan Turkmenistan Uzbekistan