Assessing Aridity Changes and their linkages with Climatic Parameters in Warming Climate: Insights from Himachal Pradesh, India.
Assigned Session: FS 3.105: Modeling Transformations of Mountain Landscapes: Opportunities and Threats
Abstract ID: 3.12581 | Not reviewed | Requested as: Talk | TBA | TBA
Pankaj Kumar (1)
Ashwani, Yadav
(1) University of Delhi, 432, DDA MIG, Metro Apartment, 110033 Delhi, IN
(2) Department of Geography, University of Delhi, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007
Abstract
Himalayan , including Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur, are highly vulnerable to climate change-driven temperature increases. These high-altitude arid regions experience extreme temperatures and limited precipitation, making them particularly sensitive to fluctuations in dryness. Understanding long-term changes in aridity is essential for assessing climate change impacts and developing conservation strategies. This study evaluates aridity trends in Indian Himachal pradesh from 1901 to 2022 using the Aridity Index (AI), defined as the ratio of annual precipitation (P) to potential evapotranspiration (PET). Data were sourced from CRU TS v4.08, a high-resolution climate dataset. The study area was classified into climatic zones based on AI values and analyzed across various seasons, including pre-monsoon, monsoon, post-monsoon, winter, and agricultural seasons. Findings indicate a significant decline in aridity across himachal regions, with northeastern areas transitioning toward hyper-arid conditions. Seasonal variations
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