Present and future contribution of glacier storage change to runoff from macroscale drainage basins in Europe

摘要: [1] The contribution of glaciers to runoff from large-scale drainage basins in Europe is analyzed for the major streams originating Alps: Rhine, Rhone, Po, and Danube. Detailed information on glacier storage change available monthly mass balance data 50 Swiss period 1908–2008. Storage changes are extrapolated all European Alps. By comparing yields glacierized surfaces summer months with measured at gauges along entire length streams, relative portion water each month calculated. Macroscale a size 100,000 km2 (1% ice-covered) can show 25% August over last century. In lower Danube (0.06% glacierization) meltwater accounts 9% observed September extreme year 2003. The importance does not scale linearly percentage glacierization, as high dominates lowland areas little precipitation evapotranspiration. Thus, glacial meltwaters relevant hydrological regime macroscale watersheds do only have regional impact. transiently modeling future retreat until 2100 using climate scenarios, reduction Alps 12% current value found. consequence, currently will be strongly reduced, intensifying issues shortage also poorly catchments.