Subalpine conifers may expand into alpine regions under the influence of global
warming-though this expansion would not disturb the upper vegetation zone, which
already is occupied by well-developed creeping pine (Pinus pumila) scrub
(Omasa et al., 1996). Similarly, the distribution area of beech (Fagus crenata)
on the Sea of Japan (East Sea) side of Honshu could shift upwards on the mountain
slopes, but its extent will be affected by snow-cover status, which provides
different vegetation dynamics.
The impacts of global warming on mountain regions in Temperate Asia are summarized
in Table 10-4.
| Table 10-4: Possible impacts
of global warming on mountain regions in Temperate Asia. |
|
| |
Field |
Impacts |
References |
| Physical System |
Hydrology |
a) Increase in air temperature and decrease in precipitation in summer
b) Increase in rate of rainfall/snow and decrease in depth and duration
of snow accumulation
c) Upward shift of maximum precipitation zone on mountain slopes |
Nakatsugawa, 1995; IPCC 1996, WG II, Chapter 10 |
| Cryosphere |
a) Direct effect of elevated temperature
b) Increasing density of snow accumulation and longer snow-free duration
|
IPCC 1996, WG II, Chapter 7 |
| Abnormal Weather |
a) Significant increase in frequency of strong winds and torrential rains
b) Warm and dry spring and summer, causing increased fire risk |
Nakashizuka and Iida, 1995; IPCC 1996, WG II, Chapters 1 and 12 |
| Topographical Process |
a) Increase in precipitation maximum over mountain slopes, causing increased
landslide, mud flow, soil erosion, groundwater pressure, etc.
b) Thawing of permafrost, causing increased grade and frequency of landslide
|
IPCC 1996, WG II, Chapters 5 and 7 |
| Biological World/ Vegetation |
a) Change of main species of mountain plants and animals, causing increased
stress on mountain ecosystems b) Easier upward shift of main species of
mountain plants, due to short shift distance and less stress of adaptation
to light condition within shift elevation
c) Effects of changing snow accumulation on plants and animals |
Mooney et al., 1995; IPCC 1996, WG II, Chapter 5 |
|
| Socio- Economic System |
Mountain Agriculture |
a) Decrease in existing crops
b) Change of cultivation calendar along mountain slopes |
IPCC 1996, WG II, Chapters 5 and 13 |
| Hydrological Power |
a) Change of available water power due to seasonal change of hydrology
b) Increased demand for electric power in summer and decreased demand in
winter |
IPCC 1996, WG II, Chapter 10 |
| Forestry |
a) Change of economically predominant species b) Increased damage by wildfire,
pests, virus, disease, etc. |
Kojima, 1992; Grishin, 1995; Mooney et al., 1995; Nakashizuka and Iida,
1995; IPCC 1996, WG II, Chapters 1 and 12 |
| Tourism |
a) Change of elements dominating mountain landscape
b) Decreased length of skiing season |
IPCC 1996, WG II, Chapter 11 |
| Transportation |
a) Increased accessibility due to amount and period of snow accumulation
in winter
b) Possibility of accidents and damages by freezing for traffic and transmission
systems |
IPCC 1996, WG II, Chapter 11 |
