Chapter 1: Water, ice, society, and ecosystems in the Hindu Kush Himalaya: An introduction
P. Wester, Sunita Chaudhary, Amina Maharjan, Jakob Steiner, Nakul Chettri, R. Chettri, Miriam Jackson, Santosh Nepal, Xiaoming Wang
Abstract
This chapter provides an introduction to the Water, ice, society, and ecosystems in the HKH (HI-WISE) assessment report. It provides an overview of the assessment scope and covers key concepts and frameworks used across the report. Chapter 1 explains the report’s significance, given the need for an updated assessment specifically focusing on cryosphere–hydrosphere–biosphere–society linkages in the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region. The report systematically explores the ecological and social aspects of cryospheric change and the linkages with water resources, society, and ecosystems.
Topics & Concepts
HydrosphereScope (computer science)BiosphereEcosystemCryosphereGeographyEnvironmental resource managementEnvironmental scienceEcologyComputer scienceMeteorologyProgramming languageSea iceBiologyEnvironmental and Cultural Studies in Latin America and BeyondCryospheric studies and observationsIndigenous Studies and Ecology