FS 3.121: Changing sediment dynamics in alpine fluvial systems as climate warms

Climate warming has resulted in increasing sediment flux from mountainous regions around the world. Glacier retreat can destabilize slopes introducing sediment to fluvial systems below, potentially increasing sediment connectivity. Glacier lake outburst floods can rapidly mobilize large amounts of sediment. Changing frequency and volume of mass movements impacts sediment transfer to downstream systems. Increased freeze-thaw activity can cause bedrock to detach and become available for fluvial transport. Rising elevations of glacier melt mean that subglacial water can tap previously inaccessible sediment stores, increasing sediment export and changing sediment provenance. Despite the observed increases in sediment export, future sediment discharge will likely be limited by water availability and driven by extreme events. The evolving sediment fluxes in these regions impact downstream water quality and hydropower operations. Ecosystems remain sensitive to the stability of areas exposed by glacier retreat and sediment transported by rivers. This session aims to examine the impacts of climate warming on alpine fluvial systems. We welcome submissions that explore the changing sediment fluxes from these catchments and the processes responsible for supplying, transporting, or storing sediment as climate warms. This session will include field observations, remote sensing and modeling approaches, or a combination thereof. We are especially interested in research that makes forward-looking assessments of sediment export with climate warming and links these topics with glacier change, hydrology, hydropower operations, and biodiversity.