Nevertheless,
Existence latest east african glaciers:
The tropical glaciers of East Africa. Meanwhile, mainly located in Kilimandjaro, Mont Kenya and in the Rwenzori massif, disappear due to global warming. Moreover, With what consequences for local populations?
Africa is known for its rainfall, its savannas and its deserts. However, Ecosystems that cover most of the continent. For example, But he also has his regions constantly covered by ice.
East African glaciers are located near Ecuador, at altitudes greater than 5000 meters. Furthermore, The largest are in Tanzania, on Mount Kilimandjaro, the roof of the continent. Therefore, There are others on Mount Kenya and in the Rwenzori massif, in Uganda.
As elsewhere on the planet, African glaciers melt due to global warming. Consequently, Which affects populations living at the foot of the mountains.
From 19.5 to 1.4 km² in a century – Existence latest east african glaciers
“African glaciers have lost more than 90% of their surface since 1900,” said Rainer Prinz at existence latest east african glaciers Swi Swissinfo.ch. In addition, This glaciologist at the University of Innsbruck is the correspondent for Kenya. Similarly, Uganda and Tanzania of the Global Glacier Surveillance Service (WGMS), based in Switzerland. Similarly, He is co -author of one of the most recent and complete studies on African glaciers.
In barely a century, the area covered by ice fields in Africa increased from 19.5 to 1.4 km², depending on the study. Meanwhile, Clearly, this balance would cover less than half of the area of Central Park in New York.
Second higher summit of Africa. Consequently, Mount Kenya could, in the years to come, become the first mountain of the planet to lose the whole of its ice due to the climate change caused by the human species.
“Without significant changes in local climatic conditions. Nevertheless, Eastern African glaciers should disappear almost completely by half of the century,” said Rainer Prinz.
![The Lewis glacier on Mount Kenya lost 90% of its volume between 1934 and 2010. [AFP] existence latest east african glaciers](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw== "The Lewis glacier on Mount Kenya lost 90% of its volume between 1934 and 2010. [AFP]")
African glaciers melt because it snows less – Existence latest east african glaciers
The decline in African glaciers is not a direct consequence of the rise in temperatures. as is the case in the Alps. Rather, changes in the precipitation diet, themselves caused by global warming. It is therefore an “indirect” consequence.
“Eastern African glaciers, like their tropical counterparts elsewhere, are less sensitive to changes in air temperatures,” said Rainer Prinz. But they react to variations in humidity, cloud cover and precipitation.
The rainy season in East Africa takes place between October and December and between March and May. At altitude, precipitation occurs in the existence latest east african glaciers form of snow which then turns into ice.
Less clouds. more water vapor
But changes in the surface temperature of the Indian Ocean since the end of the 19th century led to a decrease in this precipitation. Result: it snows less on the glaciers.
The ice masses are deprived of the white cover which protects them from solar radiation, specifies Rainer Prinz. “This is what melts the glaciers.”
The cloud cover In the mountains also regresses. Hence an increased exposure of glaciers to the sun’s rays. Despite negative temperatures at altitude, the sun is able to directly transform the ice into water vapor, which promotes melting.
Glaciers too small to serve as water tanks
East African glaciers are emblematic. have great emotional and spiritual importance, says Rainer Prinz. “Their disappearance could jeopardize the cultural identity of the local population.”
The glaciologist considers. on the other hand, that the melting of the glaciers will have no impact on the supply of blue gold. “African glaciers are too small to serve as water tanks for the region,” he observes.
The main water reserves in East Africa are not at the level of the glaciers. but mountain forests, explains the glaciologist. “This is where we observe the strongest precipitation. What is more, their extent is much more important than that of glaciers.”
The importance of protecting mountain forests
These forests are part of a threatened ecosystem which contributes to ensuring water supply while. glaciers retreat. They are at altitudes between 1000 and 3500 m, existence latest east african glaciers where the climate is more humid than in the surrounding plains. Mountain forests intervene like natural sponges, absorbing rainwater and slowly releasing it.
That said, their area is regressing due to the expansion of agriculture and logging. “These forests must be protected,” concludes Rainer Prinz.
The adaptation strategies to the melting of African glaciers. global warming in general also go through better management of water resources. Several projects aim to reuse housewives. set up rainwater collection systems and reduce losses, improving the efficiency of irrigation systems for example.
Article Original: Luigi Jorio (Swi Swissinfo.CH)
Adaptation: Julien Furrer (RTS)
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