Thesis subject

MSc thesis topic: Spatiotemporal changes in Mongolian snow cover characteristics

A vast expanse of grasslands in middle and high latitudes are influenced by snow cover during the cold (winter) season. It plays a crucial role in the Earth's cryosphere and can influence surface water availability, the global energy cycle, and the atmospheric freezing cycle, which becomes a vital water resource in arid and semi-arid areas, can also have a negative effect on the livelihoods of herder who herd livestock to sustain their livelihoods. In certain countries characterized by harsh climates and prolonged winter seasons, a phenomenon known as dzud (livestock mortality) arises from various factors including snowfall.

Investigating its primary cause, specifically changes in snow cover during cold season, is crucial for understanding climate change, mitigating the adverse effects of dzud on the livelihoods of herders and enhancing their resilience to its impacts. Due to climate change, global snow cover has undergone significant changes, affecting the livelihood of the people.

Background

Climate change has led to significant global snow cover changes impacting snow cover characteristics and forming snowmelt-derived ice. Assessing the spatiotemporal changes in winter snow conditions and its effect on winter grazing situations is key to understanding the effect of climate change on grassland ecosystems and the livelihood it supports, thereby supporting improved preparedness for its adverse effects. According to the latest national assessment on climate change, observed trends in Mongolia between 1940 and 2022 are, (1) the annual mean temperature in Mongolia rose by 2.46°C; (2) winter precipitation has increased, and (3) warm season precipitation has slightly decreased, while extreme weather events, such as severe winter conditions (known as dzud in Mongolian), have become increasingly frequent. This research will focus on assessing spatiotemporal changes in Mongolian snow cover and its characteristics under climate change.

Relevance to research/projects at GRS or other groups

This research will benefit the ongoing PhD project.

Objectives and Research questions

  • To assess the spatiotemporal changes in snow cover characteristics
  • To evaluate the spatiotemporal relationship between snow cover characteristics and meteorological parameters in the context of ongoing climate change

Requirements

  • Cloud-based platform (GEE, maybe QGIS will be required)
  • Geo-scripting (R is required)

Literature and information

  • Han, L., Tsunekawa, A., Tsubo, M., He, C., & Shen, M. (2014). Spatial variations in snow cover and seasonally frozen ground over northern China and Mongolia, 1988–2010. Global and Planetary Change, 116, 139-148.
  • Sa, C., Meng, F., Luo, M., Li, C., Wang, M., Adiya, S., & Bao, Y. (2021). Spatiotemporal variation in snow cover and its effects on grassland phenology on the Mongolian Plateau. Journal of Arid Land, 13, 332-349.
  • Tang, Z., Deng, G., Hu, G., Zhang, H., Pan, H., & Sang, G. (2022). Satellite observed spatiotemporal variability of snow cover and snow phenology over high mountain Asia from 2002 to 2021. Journal of Hydrology, 613, 128438.

Expected reading list before starting the thesis research

Theme(s): Sensing & measuring; Modelling & visualisation