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The glacier monitoring service provides decision support tools for end- users using earth observation (EO) and numerical modelling. End-users are typically water resource regulators with links to the hydropower industry, environmental managers and related policy administrators. To this end, the service provides monitoring products and integrated glaciological analyses focusing on the impact of climate change on glacial discharge, current mass balance distribution and glacier dynamics and stability. Depending on the specific needs of each end-user, a variety of information products can be provided, such as glacier topography, glacier velocity fields, glacier facies distribution, snow retreat and glacier surface energy balance. Our products and services employ a combination of EO data processing and analysis and surface energy balance modelling. The implementation of remote sensing/EO methods is determined by the product/service specification and data availability. EO methods include intereferometric DEM and velocity map generations using repeat- pass data and the use of feature tracking where coherence is problematic. The overpass cycle of ENVISAT may mean feature tracking becomes a more important method for deriving velocity maps. Optical-thermal data will be used to support the energy balance modelling. The energy balance modelling is defined by data inputs and the role of the modelling in the analysis (timescale, scenario definition and objectives).
Sample products and services include: Hydropower Potential of a Glacier System: Exploratory products are available as part of the Service portfolio. Where a glacier system is likely to be important to a planned hydropower or water management plan the service offers a range evaluations. The seasonal discharge can be estimated from energy balance modelling; the mass flux and velocity profiles derived from EO data; the medium term stability of the firn mass and facies regime determined from contemporary and historical EO data and a glaciological analysis can be offered. Seasonal Runoff Adjustment: where hydropower systems currently utilise glacier runoff the adjustment of input projections can be an important improvement to planning. Increased climatic variability has disrupted the use of predictive models based on historical climate data. In this case the service can provide an updated set of runoff projections and assess the sustainability of such scenarios using energy balance modelling and EO data. In the first instance more realistic climate scenarios would be modelled to improve decision-making. Additionally the sustainability/stability of the glacier system would be inferred using EO derived estimates of mass balance stability and the strength of the recent climate response. Glacier Inventory: glaciers are a key water resource, a climate indicator and habitat. We offer a glacier inventory product that maps glacier area and other relevant parameters to provide baseline and monitoring assessments fulfilling, for example, Natura 2000 or GLIMS monitoring requirements. The product is aimed at regional entities that lack the glaciological experience or personnel to regularly update their knowledge of glacier response to climate. Environmental Impact Assessment: The Service further offers policy makers an independent assessment of climate and environmental impacts in a given target region. Seasonal snowcover dynamics, glacier change and hydrological impacts can be inferred from EO and energy balance modelling giving end users direct access to a specific determination of their changing environment. Such products can be tailored to the needs of winter tourism, environmental or water administrations or other interested parties. Glacier mass balance of Engabreen, Svartisen, modeled using an energy-balance model validated with EO data (Regine Hock/Thomas Schuler).
Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) |
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