Glacier change and glacier runoff variation in the Tuotuo River basin, the source region of Yangtze River in western China

摘要: Glaciers in the Tuotuo River basin, western China, have been monitored recent decades by applying topographical maps and high-resolution satellite images. Results indicate that most of glaciers basin retreated period from 1968/1971 to 2001/2002, their shrinkage area is 3.2% total late 1960s. To assess influence glacier runoff on river runoff, a modified degree–day model including potential clear-sky direct solar radiation has applied glaciated regions over 1961–2004. It was found increased last 44 years, especially 1990s when two-thirds increase derived caused loss ice mass entire basin.