Xiangke Xu

Bio: Xiangke Xu is an academic researcher from Chinese Academy of Sciences. The author has contributed to research in topics: Glacial period & Glacier. The author has an hindex of 12, co-authored 27 publications receiving 399 citations. Previous affiliations of Xiangke Xu include Center for Excellence in Education & Aberystwyth University.

Late Quaternary glaciation in the Tianshan and implications for palaeoclimatic change: a review

Abstract: The Tianshan mountain range has been extensively and repeatedly glaciated during the late Quaternary. Multiple moraines in this region record the extent and timing of late Quaternary glacier fluctuations. The moraines and their ages are described in three sub-regions: eastern, central and western Tianshan. Notable glacial advances occurred during marine oxygen isotope stages (MIS) 6, 4, 3, 2, the Neoglacial and the Little Ice Age (LIA) in these sub-regions. Glaciers in western Tianshan advanced significantly also during MIS 5, but not in eastern and central Tianshan. The local last glacial maximum (llgm) of the three sub-regions pre-dated the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and occurred during MIS 4 in eastern and central Tianshan, but during MIS 3 in western Tianshan. The spatial and temporal distribution of the glaciers suggests that precipitation (as snow at high altitude) is the main factor controlling glacial advance in the Tianshan. The late Quaternary climate in the Tianshan has been generally cold-dry during glacial times and warm-humid during interglacial times. Between neighbouring glacial times, the climate has had a more arid tendency in eastern and central Tianshan. These palaeoclimatic conditions inferred from glacial landforms indicate important relationships between the mid-latitude westerly, the Siberian High and the Asian monsoon.

Different glacier status with atmospheric circulations in Tibetan Plateau and surroundings

Abstract: Glacial melting in the Tibetan Plateau affects the water resources of millions of people. This study finds that—partly owing to changes in atmospheric circulations and precipitation patterns—the most intensive glacier shrinkage is in the Himalayan region, whereas glacial retreat in the Pamir Plateau region is less apparent.

Climate Change 1995

Abstract: Climate Change 1995 is a scientific assessment that was generated by more than 1 000 contributors from over 50 nations. It was jointly co-ordinated through two international agencies; the World Meteorological Organization and the United Nations Environment Programme. The assessment was completed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) with a primary aim of reviewing the current state of knowledge concerning the impacts of climate change on physical and ecological systems, human health, and socioeconomic factors. The second aim was to review the available information on the technical and economic feasibility of the potential mitigation and adaptation strategies.

The Little Ice Age

Abstract: Nature's MutinyAfter the Ice AgeColonial CataclysmsClimate Change and the Health of NationsThe Medieval Warm PeriodIs the Temperature Rising?Climate and the Making of WorldsThe Frigid Golden AgeThe Palgrave Handbook of Climate HistoryLittle Ice AgeThe Little Ice AgeThe Crisis of the 14th CenturyTiny HabitsA Cold WelcomeGlacier Evolution in a Changing WorldThe Wim Hof MethodThe Great WarmingThe Little Ice AgeNature's MutinyWater on SandThe Little Ice AgeGlobal CrisisLittle Ice AgesThe Frigid Golden AgeBeautiful ThingsCultural consequences of the \"Little Ice Age\"The Little Ice AgeA Cold WelcomeA Cultural History of ClimateHistory and ClimateThe Incomparable ValleyA New Little Ice Age Has StartedNature's MutinyFamines During the ʻLittle Ice Ageʼ (1300-1800)Mechanisms of Natural Climate ChangeOur Subway BabyThe Rough Guide to Climate ChangeThe Little Ice AgeThe Iceberg in the Mist: Northern Research in Pursuit of a “Little Ice Age”Little Ice Age Glaciation in Alaska: A Record of Recent Global Climatic Change

Importance and vulnerability of the world’s water towers

Abstract: Mountains are the water towers of the world, supplying a substantial part of both natural and anthropogenic water demands 1 , 2 . They are highly sensitive and prone to climate change 3 , 4 , yet their importance and vulnerability have not been quantified at the global scale. Here we present a global water tower index (WTI), which ranks all water towers in terms of their water-supplying role and the downstream dependence of ecosystems and society. For each water tower, we assess its vulnerability related to water stress, governance, hydropolitical tension and future climatic and socio-economic changes. We conclude that the most important (highest WTI) water towers are also among the most vulnerable, and that climatic and socio-economic changes will affect them profoundly. This could negatively impact 1.9 billion people living in (0.3 billion) or directly downstream of (1.6 billion) mountainous areas. Immediate action is required to safeguard the future of the world’s most important and vulnerable water towers. The worldwide distribution and water supply of water towers (snowy or glacierized mountain ranges) is indexed, showing that the most important water towers are also the most vulnerable to socio-economic and climate-change stresses, with huge potential negative impacts on populations downstream.