Data di Pubblicazione:
2021
Citazione:
Geodiversity of proglacial areas and implications on abiotic ecosystem services / I.M. Bollati, C. Viani, A. Masseroli, G. Mortara, B. Testa, G. Tronti, E. Reynard, M. Pelfini. ((Intervento presentato al convegno EGU General Assembly tenutosi a online nel 2021.
Abstract:
Proglacial areas, defined as the areas left free from glaciers since the Little Ice Age, are open-air
laboratories to study the effects of climate change on high mountain environments. Their different
abiotic features (i.e. geodiversity) depend mainly on the bedrock characteristics, the type of
glaciers acting in the areas and the morphometry of their hydrographic basins, which influence the
geomorphic dynamics (i.e., geomorphodiversity). From this, it could derive a different response of
glacier forefields to deglaciation and particular evolutionary trends. Hydrological elements and
dynamics are particularly variable (i.e. hydrogeodiversity), especially in terms of proglacial lakes
diversification, having effects down-valley, even far from the strict proglacial area, and also in term
of potential natural hazards. Moreover, geodiversity of proglacial areas may have implications on
other types of “diversity”. After the glacier retreat, glacier forefields are, in fact, characterized by
soils development and vegetation settlement. In particular, soils characterized by different ages
and by different degree of development coexist over short distances (i.e. pedodiversity),
functioning also as a support for living organisms. Biotic components gradually colonize such
areas, from the pioneer to the late-successional species, bringing varied species along the
proglacial plains (i.e. biodiversity). All these aspects can be discussed in the perspective of the
abiotic ecosystem services (i.e. regulating, supporting, provisioning, and cultural) provided by
glacier forefields. Regulating services are related to both atmospheric and terrestrial processes,
including natural hazard regulation. Supporting services deal mainly with habitat provision and
soils development. Provisioning services include both material (freshwater, building materials) and
immaterial (i.e. tourism) resources. Finally, cultural services, that are the most numerous, take into
account, among the others, the spiritual and historical meaning, the geohistorical importance for
the Earth Sciences development, the educational and geotourism-related opportunities, and the
landscape benefit effects. Considering all these aspects, and the intense dynamics proglacial areas
are affected by, which will be illustrated through examples mainly from the European Alps, it
emerges the importance of a careful monitoring and management of such areas, hopefully
through an even more holistic approach.
Tipologia IRIS:
14 - Intervento a convegno non pubblicato
Elenco autori:
I.M. Bollati, C. Viani, A. Masseroli, G. Mortara, B. Testa, G. Tronti, E. Reynard, M. Pelfini
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