Upper Irtysh River Flow Since AD 1500 As Reconstructed by Tree Rings, Reveals the Hydroclimatic Signal of Inner Asia

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Upper Irtysh River Flow Since AD 1500 As Reconstructed by Tree Rings, Reveals the Hydroclimatic Signal of Inner Asia Climatic Change DOI 10.1007/s10584-016-1814-y Upper Irtysh River flow since AD 1500 as reconstructed by tree rings, reveals the hydroclimatic signal of inner Asia Feng Chen1 & Yujiang Yuan1 & Nicole Davi2,3 & Tongwen Zhang1 Received: 30 March 2016 /Accepted: 18 September 2016 # Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2016 Abstract In a warming world, water scarcity is one of the main concerns for sustainable development and human well-being in inner Asia. Due to the lack of instrumental streamflow records, the natural variability of the water supply from inner Asian rivers is not well understood from a long-term perspective. Here, we have reconstructed the streamflow of Upper Irtysh River from AD 1500 to 2010, based on the tree-ring width indices of spruce (Picea obovata)andlarch(Larix sibirica) from the Altay Mountains. The reconstruction explains 48.4 % of the recorded streamflow variance over the common period 1958–2008. This streamflow reconstruction is representative of regional moisture conditions over the Irtysh River basin area. Some significant spectral peaks are identified, and suggest the influence of natural forcing on the streamflow of the Upper Irtysh River, such as ENSO and solar activity. The linkages of our reconstruction with sea surface temperature in the northern Indian Ocean, eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean, and equatorial Atlantic Ocean suggest the connection of regional streamflow variations to large-scale atmospheric circulation. We also find that there is the relationship between regional drought/streamflow variations in inner Asia and the interac- tion of the mid-latitude Westerlies and Asian summer monsoon. Our 511-year streamflow reconstruction provides a long-term perspective on current and twentieth century wet and dry events in the Irtysh River basin, is useful to guide predictions of future variability, and aids future water resource management. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s10584-016-1814-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. * Feng Chen [email protected] 1 Key Laboratory of Tree-ring Physical and Chemic Research of China Meteorological Administration/ Key Laboratory of Tree-ring Ecology of Uigur Autonomous Region, China Meteorological Administration, No 46 Jianguo Road, Urumqi, China 2 Department of Environmental Science, William Paterson University, Wayne, NJ, USA 3 Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University, Palisades, NY, USA Climatic Change Keywords Irtysh River. Tree rings . Streamflow reconstruction . Sea surface temperature . Atmospheric circulation 1 Introduction Global warming is exacerbating immediate and negative effects on the hydroclimatic variations and ecosystems of Asia, and it is threatening the livelihood of billions of people (Cook et al. 2010;Dai2011; Huang et al. 2015a). The accelerated pace of glacier retreats in the high altitude mountain areas of inner Asia with global warming raises concerns about the sustained supply of fresh water to meet increasing water consumption (Yao et al. 2004; Niederer et al. 2008; Oberhänsli et al. 2011; Siegfried et al. 2012;KulkarniandKaryakarte2014). Since many international rivers of China provide fresh water for adjacent countries of central and south Asia, fluctuations in China’s climate, glacier and streamflow can have wide-ranging geopolitical consequences. However, hydroclimatical records that provide information on hydroclimatical variability are short for China (eg. Perhaps just give an estimate of years here) , especially in river basins that cross political boundaries, such as Irtysh, Ili, Brahmaputra and Mekong Rivers. Extended hydroclimatical records for international rivers basin are thus critically important for evaluating the variability of water resource and developing suitable water resource management policies for China and neighboring countries. Tree rings play an important role in our understanding of past hydroclimatical variability in Asia. An important development is the reconstruction of the hydroclimate in Monsoonal Asia, the so-called Monsoon Asia Drought Atlas (MADA) developed by Cook et al. (2010). Careful and prudent water resource management requires detailed and reliable knowledge about streamflow variations on annual to centennial time-scales, in addition to standardized values of PDSI. Several tree-ring chronologies also have been developed from inner Asia in recent decades that capture long-term streamflow variation (Davi et al. 2006, 2013;Yangetal.2012; Gou et al. 2010;Cooketal.2013;Pedersonetal.2013a, b). These streamflow reconstructions make it possible to describe the long-term streamflow history across inner Asia that was not possible using the recorded data alone, however, for the huge area of inner Asia, the number of tree-ring based streamflow reconstructions is low and international rivers basin in China have yet to be developed. The Irtysh River is one of the main international rivers in China and it drains an extensive area from 47° N to 61° N (Fig. 1). From its origins as the Black Irtysh in the Altay Mountains in Xinjiang, China, the Irtysh flows northwest through Lake Zaysan in Kazakhstan, where it meets the Ishim and Tobol rivers before merging with the Ob River near Khanty-Mansiysk in western Siberia, after 4, 248 km. The Ob-Irtysh River makes up the seventh largest river in the world, and is the only international river in China flowing into the Arctic Ocean. Reservoirs and the Irtysh–Karamay–Ürümqi canal have made extensive irrigated agriculture possible in the arid region of north Xinjiang, and have provided an improved water supply to more than 4 million people (Tan and Feng 2003). The Upper Irtysh River Basin has a continuous gauging station record beginning in January 1958, however, streamflow has not been reconstructed to date. In this study we develop a tree-ring based streamflow reconstruction for the Upper Irtysh River Basin. We analyze the temporal variations in the streamflow and put recent streamflow variations and trends in the context of the past six centuries. To facilitate the use of the reconstruction for water resource management, we also analyze the frequency, intensity, and Climatic Change Fig. 1 Map of the sample sites, weather stations, and hydrological station (Kuwei) in the study area duration of drought and pluvial events and compare the reconstructed values to those observed during the instrumental period. Finally, to identify the major climatic forcings influencing streamflow, we compare the Irtysh River reconstruction with atmospheric circulation. 2Dataandmethods 2.1 Geographical settings The headwater area of the Irtysh River is located in the Altay Mountains in China. In this region trees were sampled between 1130 and 2145 m a.s.l., mountain peaks are up to 4374 m a.s.l. and small alpine glaciers can be found at high elevation. The mean annual precipitation from the Fuyun meteorological station (46°59′N, 89°31′E, 826.6 m a.s.l.) during the period 1962–2010 is 189.7 mm and the mean annual temperature for the same period is 3.0 °C. Snowfall usually lasts 6 months from October to March (Fig. 2a). July is the hottest month (average temperature 22.2 °C) while January is the coldest month (average temperature − 20.5 °C). This area is one of the coldest places in China during the winter. The mean annual streamflow from the Kuwei hydrological station (47°20′N, 89°41′E, 1200 m a.s.l.) in the Upper Irtysh River Basin is 307.1 m3/s during the period 1958–2008. The seasonal distributions of precipitation and streamflow differ somewhat, but both increase rapidly from April to June (Fig. 2b). However, there is only one peak (in June) in the monthly distribution of streamflow, while there are two peaks (in July and November) in precipitation. The streamflow peak is directly related to the meltwater input from snowpack in the higher elevations of the watershed during the warm season. Both temperature and precipitation showed the significant upward trends (Fig. 2c), and no significant upward trends was found in the annual streamflow (Fig. 2d). The dominant vegetation type in low altitude areas of the Altay Mountains is semi-arid grassland with scattered tree cover. The tree species used in our study is spruce (Picea obovata) Climatic Change Fig. 2 a Monthly total precipitation and monthly mean temperature at the Fuyun meteorological station. b Monthly streamflow data at Kuwei hydrological station and monthly total precipitation at the Fuyun meteoro- logical station. c Comparison between observed annual precipitation and temperature from 1962 to 2010. d Observed annual streamflow from 1957 to 2008 and larch (Larix sibirica). They typically occupy the low altitude areas of the Altay Mountains and grow on thin, rocky soil with limited water-holding capacity. Shrubs, grasses, and herbs are scattered in the understory of the forests. 2.2 Tree-ring network Spruce (Picea obovata) trees were sampled at seven sites (QBL, TLD, XSK, SEE, XTK, KYS and DEN) in the western slope of the Altay Mountains for the analyses performed herein (Fig. 1). At least two increment cores were taken from each living tree that was sampled, and cores or sections were taken from available dead wood. All sampling was performed in open stands growing on shallow or rocky soils. In total, these seven spruce sites provide 356 samples taken from 189 trees. Additional tree-ring width data from larch trees from three sites on the eastern slope of the Altay Mountains (Mongolia) were obtained from the National Climatic Data Center (http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/): Ankhny Khoton (AK), Khovd Golgi (KG), and Khoton Nuur (KN) (Davi et al. 2009). This tree-ring network covered most of the headwater area of the Irtysh River. Site information, including latitude and longitude, slope and cores/trees is listed in Table 1. The cores were mounted and prepared following standard procedures (Stokes and Smiley, 1968). Annual ring widths were measured to a precision of 0.001 mm with a TA Unislide Measurement System (Velmex Inc., Bloomfield, New York).
Recommended publications
  • Testimony Before the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission
    “China’s Global Quest for Resources and Implications for the United States” January 26, 2012 Testimony before the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission Elizabeth Economy C.V. Starr Senior Fellow and Director, Asia Studies Council on Foreign Relations Introduction China’s quest for resources to fuel its continued rapid economic growth has brought thousands of Chinese enterprises and millions of Chinese workers to every corner of the world. Already China accounts for approximately one-fourth of world demand for zinc, iron and steel, lead, copper, and aluminum. It is also the world’s second largest importer of oil after the United States. And as hundreds of millions of Chinese continue to move from rural to urban areas, the need for energy and other commodities will only continue to increase. No resource, however, is more essential to continued Chinese economic growth than water. It is critical for meeting basic human needs, as well as demands for food and energy. As China’s leaders survey their water landscape, the view is not reassuring. More than 40 mid to large sized cities in northern China, such as Beijing and Tianjin, boast crisis- level water shortages.1 As a result, northern and western cities have been drawing down their groundwater reserves and causing subsidence, which now affects a 60 thousand kilometer area of the North China Plain. 2 According to the director of the Water Research Centre at Peking University Zheng Chunmiao, the water table under the North China Plain is falling at a rate of about a meter per year.3
    [Show full text]
  • Empires in East Asia
    DO NOT EDIT--Changes must be made through “File info” CorrectionKey=NL-A Module 3 Empires in East Asia Essential Question In general, was China helpful or harmful to the development of neighboring empires and kingdoms? About the Photo: Angkor Wat was built in In this module you will learn how the cultures of East Asia influenced one the 1100s in the Khmer Empire, in what is another, as belief systems and ideas spread through both peaceful and now Cambodia. This enormous temple was violent means. dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. Explore ONLINE! SS.912.W.2.19 Describe the impact of Japan’s physiography on its economic and political development. SS.912.W.2.20 Summarize the major cultural, economic, political, and religious developments VIDEOS, including... in medieval Japan. SS.912.W.2.21 Compare Japanese feudalism with Western European feudalism during • A Mongol Empire in China the Middle Ages. SS.912.W.2.22 Describe Japan’s cultural and economic relationship to China and Korea. • Ancient Discoveries: Chinese Warfare SS.912.G.2.1 Identify the physical characteristics and the human characteristics that define and differentiate regions. SS.912.G.4.9 Use political maps to describe the change in boundaries and governments within • Ancient China: Masters of the Wind continents over time. and Waves • Marco Polo: Journey to the East • Rise of the Samurai Class • Lost Spirits of Cambodia • How the Vietnamese Defeated the Mongols Document Based Investigations Graphic Organizers Interactive Games Image with Hotspots: A Mighty Fighting Force Image with Hotspots: Women of the Heian Court 78 Module 3 DO NOT EDIT--Changes must be made through “File info” CorrectionKey=NL-A Timeline of Events 600–1400 Explore ONLINE! East and Southeast Asia World 600 618 Tang Dynasty begins 289-year rule in China.
    [Show full text]
  • Water Situation in China – Crisis Or Business As Usual?
    Water Situation In China – Crisis Or Business As Usual? Elaine Leong Master Thesis LIU-IEI-TEK-A--13/01600—SE Department of Management and Engineering Sub-department 1 Water Situation In China – Crisis Or Business As Usual? Elaine Leong Supervisor at LiU: Niclas Svensson Examiner at LiU: Niclas Svensson Supervisor at Shell Global Solutions: Gert-Jan Kramer Master Thesis LIU-IEI-TEK-A--13/01600—SE Department of Management and Engineering Sub-department 2 This page is left blank with purpose 3 Summary Several studies indicates China is experiencing a water crisis, were several regions are suffering of severe water scarcity and rivers are heavily polluted. On the other hand, water is used inefficiently and wastefully: water use efficiency in the agriculture sector is only 40% and within industry, only 40% of the industrial wastewater is recycled. However, based on statistical data, China’s total water resources is ranked sixth in the world, based on its water resources and yet, Yellow River and Hai River dries up in its estuary every year. In some regions, the water situation is exacerbated by the fact that rivers’ water is heavily polluted with a large amount of untreated wastewater, discharged into the rivers and deteriorating the water quality. Several regions’ groundwater is overexploited due to human activities demand, which is not met by local. Some provinces have over withdrawn groundwater, which has caused ground subsidence and increased soil salinity. So what is the situation in China? Is there a water crisis, and if so, what are the causes? This report is a review of several global water scarcity assessment methods and summarizes the findings of the results of China’s water resources to get a better understanding about the water situation.
    [Show full text]
  • Ganges River Mekong River Himalayan Mountains Huang He (Yellow) River Yangtze River Taklimakan Desert Indus River Gobi Desert B
    Southern & Eastern Asia Physical Features and Countries Matching Activity Cut out each card. Match the name to the image and description. Ganges Mekong Himalayan River River Mountains Huang He Yangtze Taklimakan (Yellow) River Desert River Indus Gobi Bay of River Desert Bengal Yellow Indian Sea of Sea Ocean Japan Korean South China India Peninsula Sea China Indonesia Vietnam North South Japan Korea Korea Southern & Eastern Asia Physical Features and Countries Matching Activity Southern & Eastern Asia Physical Features and Countries Matching Activity Southern & Eastern Asia Physical Features and Countries Matching Activity Asia’s largest desert that stretches across southern Mongolia and northern China Largest and longest river in China’s second largest river China; very important that causes devastating because it provides floods. It is named for the hydroelectric power, water for muddy yellow silt it carries. irrigation, and transportation for cargo ships. Flows through China, Starts in the Himalayan Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Mountains; most important river in Laos, Cambodia, and India because it runs through the Vietnam. One of the region’s most fertile and highly populated most important crops, rice, is areas; considered sacred by the grown in the river basin. Hindu religion. World’s highest mountain range that sits along the Located in northwestern northern edge of India; China between two mountain includes Mount Everest, the ranges highest mountain in the world. Begins high in the Himalayas and slowly runs through India Third largest
    [Show full text]
  • ABSTRACT LU, CHI. Natural and Human Impacts on Recent
    ABSTRACT LU, CHI. Natural and Human Impacts on Recent Development of Yangtze River and Mekong River Deltas. (Under the direction of Dr. Paul Liu). The Yangtze River Delta is the largest delta in China and is also a highly populated delta where metropolitan cities such as Shanghai are located. The evolution of Yangtze River Delta will directly influence the economics and environment in this area. The sediment flux from Yangtze into the delta decreased during the past three decades and the operation of world’s largest hydropower project, Three Gorges Dam, made this situation much more severe. In the delta area, another large project called Deep Water Navigation Channel was also completed in recent years. Mekong River Delta is another major delta in Asia and also has a lot of dams in the river basin. To document the relationship between human impacts on the large river basin and coastal evolution, in this study, we used Jiuduan Island of Yangtze River Delta and two islands of Mekong River Delta as examples and utilized Landsat data to show how these island’s shoreline changed with the trend of decreased sediment discharge. In Mekong River Delta, the shoreline change agreed well with the sediment flux, eroding from 1989 to 1996 and prograding from 1996 to 2002. In Yangtze River Delta, shoreline kept growing before Three Gorges Dams was operating, eroded from 2003 to 2009 and then prograded again from 2011 to 2013. The main reason for the shoreline progradation from 2011 to 2013 was the impact of the Deep Water Navigation Channel project which totally changed the sediment transport process around Jiuduan Island.
    [Show full text]
  • Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the Estuaries of Two Rivers of the Sea of Japan
    International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Article Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the Estuaries of Two Rivers of the Sea of Japan Tatiana Chizhova 1,*, Yuliya Koudryashova 1, Natalia Prokuda 2, Pavel Tishchenko 1 and Kazuichi Hayakawa 3 1 V.I.Il’ichev Pacific Oceanological Institute FEB RAS, 43 Baltiyskaya Str., Vladivostok 690041, Russia; [email protected] (Y.K.); [email protected] (P.T.) 2 Institute of Chemistry FEB RAS, 159 Prospect 100-let Vladivostoku, Vladivostok 690022, Russia; [email protected] 3 Institute of Nature and Environmental Technology, Kanazawa University, Kakuma, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +7-914-332-40-50 Received: 11 June 2020; Accepted: 16 August 2020; Published: 19 August 2020 Abstract: The seasonal polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) variability was studied in the estuaries of the Partizanskaya River and the Tumen River, the largest transboundary river of the Sea of Japan. The PAH levels were generally low over the year; however, the PAH concentrations increased according to one of two seasonal trends, which were either an increase in PAHs during the cold period, influenced by heating, or a PAH enrichment during the wet period due to higher run-off inputs. The major PAH source was the combustion of fossil fuels and biomass, but a minor input of petrogenic PAHs in some seasons was observed. Higher PAH concentrations were observed in fresh and brackish water compared to the saline waters in the Tumen River estuary, while the PAH concentrations in both types of water were similar in the Partizanskaya River estuary, suggesting different pathways of PAH input into the estuaries.
    [Show full text]
  • Spatial Distribution of Nematode Communities Along the Salinity Gradient in the Two Estuaries of the Sea of Japan
    Russian Journal of Nematology, 2019, 27 (1), 1 – 12 Spatial distribution of nematode communities along the salinity gradient in the two estuaries of the Sea of Japan Alexandra A. Milovankina and Natalia P. Fadeeva Far Eastern Federal University, Sukhanov Street 8, 690950, Vladivostok, Russia e-mail: [email protected] Accepted for publication 15 May 2019 Summary. Spatial distribution and structure of nematode assemblages in two estuaries (long lowland Razdolnaya and mountain Sukhodol rivers, the Sea of Japan) were investigated. Sampling was conducted from freshwater to marine benthic habitats. The meiobenthic community was strongly dominated by nematodes. In both estuaries, the spatial distribution of nematode density, composition and feeding types related to the salinity gradient. From a total of 57 nematode species, 42 and 40 nematode species were identified in each estuary, respectively. The changes in the taxonomic structure of nematode fauna were found along the salinity gradient. Differences in nematodes community observed along each estuarine gradient were much lower than between the two estuaries. Only four species Anoplostoma cuticularia, Axonolaimus seticaudatus, Cyatholaimus sp. and Parodontophora timmica, were present in all sampling zones of both estuaries. Most of the recorded species were euryhaline, described previously in shallow coastal bays; only five freshwater species have been described previously from the freshwater habitat of Primorsky Krai. Key words: community structure, euryhaline nematodes, free-living nematodes, Razdolnaya River estuary, Sukhodol River estuary. Free-living nematodes are an important are available from several estuaries (Fadeeva, 2005; component of both marine and estuarine ecosystems Shornikov & Zenina, 2014; Milovankina et al., (Giere, 2009; Mokievsky, 2009). It has been shown 2018).
    [Show full text]
  • China's Looming Water Crisis
    CHINADIALOGUE APRIL 2018 (IMAGE: ZHAOJIANKANG) CHINA’S LOOMING WATER CRISIS Charlie Parton Editors Chris Davy Tang Damin Charlotte Middlehurst Production Huang Lushan Translation Estelle With special thanks to China Water Risk CHINADIALOGUE Suite 306 Grayston Centre 28 Charles Square, London, N1 6HT, UK www.chinadialogue.net CONTENTS Introduction 5 How serious is the problem? 6 The problem is exacerbated by pollution and inefficient use 9 Technical solutions are not sufficient to solve shortages 10 What are the consequences and when might they hit? 14 What is the government doing? 16 What is the government not doing and should be doing? 19 Can Xi Jinping stave off a water crisis? 25 Global implications 28 Global opportunities 30 Annex - Some facts about the water situation in China 32 About the author 37 4 | CHINA’S LOOMING WATER CRISIS SOUTH-NORTH WATER TRANSFER PROJECT (IMAGE: SNWTP OFFICIAL SITE) 5 | CHINA’S LOOMING WATER CRISIS INTRODUCTION Optimism or pessimism about the future success of Xi Jinping’s new era may be in the mind of the beholder. The optimist will point to the Party’s past record of adaptability and problem solving; the pessimist will point out that no longer are the interests of reform pointing in the same directions as the interests of Party cadres, and certainly not of some still powerful vested interests. But whether China muddles or triumphs through, few are predict- ing that problems such as debt, overcapacity, housing bubbles, economic rebalancing, the sheer cost of providing social security and services to 1.4 billion people will cause severe economic disruption or the collapse of Chi- na.
    [Show full text]
  • Transboundary River Basin Overview – Salween
    0 [Type here] Irrigation in Africa in figures - AQUASTAT Survey - 2016 Transboundary River Basin Overview – Salween Version 2011 Recommended citation: FAO. 2011. AQUASTAT Transboundary River Basins – Salween River Basin. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Rome, Italy The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) concerning the legal or development status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The mention of specific companies or products of manufacturers, whether or not these have been patented, does not imply that these have been endorsed or recommended by FAO in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned. The views expressed in this information product are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of FAO. FAO encourages the use, reproduction and dissemination of material in this information product. Except where otherwise indicated, material may be copied, downloaded and printed for private study, research and teaching purposes, or for use in non-commercial products or services, provided that appropriate acknowledgement of FAO as the source and copyright holder is given and that FAO’s endorsement of users’ views, products or services is not implied in any way. All requests for translation and adaptation rights, and for resale and other commercial use rights should be made via www.fao.org/contact-us/licencerequest or addressed to [email protected].
    [Show full text]
  • Annex 1 INVENTORY of TRANSBOUNDARY RIVERS and LAKES
    362 363 ANNEXES 364 Annex 1 INVENTORY OF TRANSBOUNDARY RIVERS AND LAKES 372 Annex 2 LIST OF COUNTRY CODES 373 Annex 3 LIST OF ACRONYMS AND UNITS OF MEASUREMENT Annex 1 364 INVENTORY OF TRANSBOUNDARY RIVERS AND LAKES INVENTORY OF TRANSBOUNDARY RIVERS AND LAKES This inventory contains major transboundary rivers, including their major transboundary tributaries, discharging into the basins of the following seas: the White Sea, the Barents Sea and the Kara Sea; the Sea of Okhotsk and the Sea of Japan; the Aral Sea and other transboundary surface waters in Central Asia; the Caspian Sea; the Black Sea; the Mediterranean Sea; the North Sea and Eastern Atlantic; and the Baltic Sea. The inventory also includes lakes located within the basins of these seas. The selection of water bodies included in this inventory and analysed in this first Assessment was made on the basis of submissions by the concerned countries and reflects countries’ priorities. The first order rivers are presented in bold. The assessment of water bodies in italics was not included in the present publi- cation due to lack of available information. TRANSBOUNDARY WATERS IN THE BASINS OF THE BARENTS SEA, THE WHITE SEA AND THE KARA SEA Basin/sub-basin(s) Total area (km2) Recipient Riparian countries Lakes in the basin Oulanka …1 White Sea FI, RU … Kola Fjord > Tuloma 21,140 FI, RU … Barents Sea Jacobselv 400 Barents Sea NO, RU … Paatsjoki 18,403 Barents Sea FI, NO, RU Lake Inari Näätämö 2,962 Barents Sea FI, NO, RU … Teno 16,386 Barents Sea FI, NO … Yenisey 2,580,000 Kara Sea MN, RU … Lake Baikal > - Selenga 447,000 Angara > Yenisey > MN, RU Kara Sea Ob 2,972,493 Kara Sea CN, KZ, MN, RU - Irtysh 1,643,000 Ob CN, KZ, MN, RU - Tobol 426,000 Irtysh KZ, RU - Ishim 176,000 Irtysh KZ, RU 1 5,566 km2 to Lake Paanajärvi and 18,800 km2 to the White Sea.
    [Show full text]
  • Mekong River Waters: Our Is Ours, Yours Is Ours Too
    CENTRE FOR LAND WARFARE STUDIES ISSUE BRIEF No. 101 May 2017 Mekong River Waters: Our is Ours, Yours is Ours Too Praggya Surana is a Research Assistant at the Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS), New Delhi. She completed her BA, LLB (Hons.) from National Law School of India University, Bangalore. Her research interests include Chinese military modernization and political strategy. hina is the point of origin for over ten major China and the South-East Asian Nations trans-boundary rivers1 and shares 110 rivers The Mekong river is the longest river in South-East Asia and lakes which flow into 18 downstream and the twelfth longest in the world.7 The Lankang Jiang C 2 countries. China has 14 land neighbours out of which (as it is known in China) originates in the Tanggula Shan 13 are riparian neighbours.3 This upper riparian position Mountains of Tibet, and flows through the eastern part of gives it immense strategic power. It has not entered the Tibet Autonomous Region and the Yunnan province into a single water sharing agreement.4 After saturating before forming the international border between exploitation of its internal rivers, China has shifted Myanmar and Laos and then a large part of the border focus towards the trans-boundary rivers. Despite the between Laos and Thailand. After that, the river flows environmental backlash faced after the construction of through Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam before draining the Three Gorges Dam on the Yellow River, it is going into the South China Sea. The river is often divided into ahead with
    [Show full text]
  • Asia 24 Supplementary Material
    Asia 24 Supplementary Material Coordinating Lead Authors: Yasuaki Hijioka (Japan), Erda Lin (China), Joy Jacqueline Pereira (Malaysia) Lead Authors: Richard T. Corlett (China), Xuefeng Cui (China), Gregory Insarov (Russian Federation), Rodel Lasco (Philippines), Elisabet Lindgren (Sweden), Akhilesh Surjan (India) Contributing Authors: Elena M. Aizen (USA), Vladimir B. Aizen (USA), Rawshan Ara Begum (Bangladesh), Kenshi Baba (Japan), Monalisa Chatterjee (USA/India), J. Graham Cogley (Canada), Noah Diffenbaugh (USA), Li Ding (Singapore), Qingxian Gao (China), Matthias Garschagen (Germany), Masahiro Hashizume (Japan), Manmohan Kapshe (India), Andrey G. Kostianoy (Russia), Kathleen McInnes (Australia), Sreeja Nair (India), S.V.R.K. Prabhakar (India), Yoshiki Saito (Japan), Andreas Schaffer (Singapore), Rajib Shaw (Japan), Dáithí Stone (Canada/South Africa /USA), Reiner Wassman (Philippines), Thomas J. Wilbanks (USA), Shaohong Wu (China) Review Editors: Rosa Perez (Philippines), Kazuhiko Takeuchi (Japan) Volunteer Chapter Scientists: Yuko Onishi (Japan), Wen Wang (China) This chapter on-line supplementary material should be cited as: Hijioka , Y., E. Lin, J.J. Pereira, R.T. Corlett, X. Cui, G.E. Insarov, R.D. Lasco, E. Lindgren, and A. Surjan, 2014: Asia – supplementary material. In: Climate Change 2014: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability. Part B: Regional Aspects. Contribution of Working Group II to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmen tal Panel on Climate Change [Barros, V.R., C.B. Field, D.J. Dokken, M.D. Mastrandrea, K.J. Mach, T.E. Bilir, M. Chatterjee, K.L. Ebi, Y.O. Estrada, R.C. Genova, B. Girma, E.S. Kissel, A.N. Levy, S. MacCracken, P.R. Mastrandrea, and L.L. White (eds.)]. Available from www.ipcc-wg2.gov/AR5 and www.ipcc.ch.
    [Show full text]