Abstract ID: 3.13137 | Accepted as Poster | Poster | TBA | TBA

Mountain regions, as Alpine headwaters, are undergoing rapid transformations due to global climate change, with significant impacts on the cryosphere. Changes in snow cover, glacier dynamics, and permafrost thawing are driving shifts in hydrological regimes, directly affecting water availability for downstream ecosystems and human systems. A critical knowledge gap exists in understanding the connectivity between the cryosphere and groundwater, which is essential for accurate modeling of water cycles in these sensitive regions. This study presents a process-based approach to model cryospheric dynamics and couple them with a groundwater model, focusing on Alpine headwaters. Using remote sensing, meteorological, and field data, we assess the relative importance of cryospheric processes on groundwater recharge. The primary goal is to enhance understanding of the physical processes involved and their evolution under climate change. We hypothesize that groundwater recharge in Alpine headwaters will be modified as cryospheric features change. This insight will help assess the ability of mountain groundwater systems to buffer reductions in cryospheric water storage and the long-term modifications of their contribution to streamflow. A secondary objective addresses the challenges of data collection in remote mountain regions, where limited data availability and difficult access are persistent obstacles. Using well-studied sites, we establish and test methodologies to document the role of cryosphere features in groundwater dynamics. The approach developed will aim to be adaptable to the data constraints typical of mountainous regions, providing a robust framework for future research in mountain hydrology under global change.