Abstract ID: 3.11524 | Accepted as Poster | Talk/Oral | TBA | TBA

Glaciers are a vital source of freshwater and play a crucial role in supporting ecosystems, especially in the high-altitude regions where they exist. However, these glaciers are facing a significant risk of depletion due to large-scale global warming. In particular, the glaciers in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region are receding at an alarming rate. This decline is projected to worsen due to increasing concentrations of Black Carbon (BC) in the atmosphere, which further accelerates glacial melt and intensifies the effects of global warming. This study has specifically quantified the ecological consequences of glacial loss induced by Black Carbon, with a focus on the biodiversity that depends on these fragile ecosystems. The study identified a total of 730 species that are directly or indirectly reliant on the glacial ecosystem in the HKH region. Of these, 198 species face an extreme risk of extinction if current trends continue, while 292 species are expected to remain relatively stable. However, 170 species require further investigation to better understand their adaptability or vulnerability to changing environmental conditions. Alarmingly, only 70 species are likely to adapt to the new set of ecological conditions created by the rapid retreat of glaciers. This reduction in species diversity due to adverse glacial retreat underscores the urgency for immediate policy-level interventions. Protecting both the glacial ecosystems and the diverse lifeforms they support is critical. Policy makers must prioritize the reduction of Black Carbon and other pollutants emissions and implement climate-resilient conservation strategies to safeguard the biodiversity in the HKH region. Without such interventions, the combined effects of glacial loss and global warming will lead to irreversible ecological damage, threatening not only wildlife but also the human communities that rely on these vital water sources.