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Irrigation and Warming Drive the Decreases in Surface Albedo Over High Mountain Asia Human and climate induced land surface changes resulting from irrigation, snow cover decreases, and greening impact the surface albedo over High Mountain Asia (HMA). Here we use a partial information decomposition approach and remote sensing data to quantify the effects of the changes in leaf area index, soil moisture, and snow cover on the surface albedo in HMA, home to over a billion people, from 2003 to 2020. The study establishes strong evidence of anthropogenic agricultural water use over irrigated lands (e.g., Ganges-Brahmaputra) which causes the highest surface albedo decreases (≤1%/year). Greening and decreased snow cover from warming also drive changes in visible and near-infrared surface albedo in different areas of HMA. The significant role of irrigation and greening in influencing albedo suggests the potential of a positive feedback cycle where albedo decreases lead to increased evaporative demand and increased stress on water resources.
Document ID
20220015051
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Accepted Manuscript (Version with final changes)
Authors
Fadji Z Maina ORCID
(University of Maryland, Baltimore County Baltimore, Maryland, United States)
Sujay V Kumar ORCID
(Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, Maryland, United States)
Chandana Gangodagamage ORCID
(University of Maryland, College Park College Park, Maryland, United States)
Date Acquired
October 5, 2022
Publication Date
September 28, 2022
Publication Information
Publication: Scientific Reports
Publisher: Nature Research
Volume: 12
e-ISSN: 2045-2322
Subject Category
Earth Resources and Remote Sensing
Funding Number(s)
WBS: 509496.02.08.12.88
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNX17AE79A
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Use by or on behalf of the US Gov. Permitted.
Technical Review
External Peer Committee
Keywords
Climate sciences
Environmental sciences
Hydrology
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