GOCE-036952 BrahmaTWinn Field Trip Tibet 2006
Report BrahmaTWinn Field Trip Tibet Sept 11-27, 2006
M. PRASCH, I. STEYL, G. JANAUER, S. LANG, L. DENG, Z. BUKALOWA, L. BHARATI, P. ZEIL
Disclaimer. This report has been written as a contribution by the participants of the BrahmaTWinn Field Trip to Tibet. Regarding its nature, it is neither a deliverable nor any other official document of the project. It contains compilation of notes recorded during the field trip and some valuable background information on results, findings, and experiences but also addresses open questions. This comprehensive summary report provides a condensed view of the field work carried by the project team in Tibet and reflects on both the discussions among the participants and the interviews held with local people and stakeholders. For further information please consult the respective project deliverables which offer a more detailed picture on what the single working groups have achieved.
Page 1 of 38 GOCE-036952 BrahmaTWinn Field Trip Tibet 2006
Table of Contents
1. Groups organisation and itineraries ...... 3 1.1. Group A...... 4 1.2. Group B...... 4 1.3. Group C...... 5 2. Main issues ...... 6 2.1. Water resources management...... 6 2.2. Institutional / legal framework ...... 6 2.3. Snow & glacier...... 8 2.4. Meterological stations ...... 9 2.5. Discharge ...... 9 2.6. Soils...... 10 2.7. Permafrost & slope instability ...... 12 2.8. Land use / land cover practices ...... 12 2.8.1. Lhasa – Nyangtri – Phelung ...... 15 2.8.2. Lhasa – Phodo Dzong - Nyingdrong...... 19 2.8.3. Lhasa – Nakartse ...... 21 2.8.4. Nakartse - Shigatse...... 23 2.8.5. Lhasa – Nam Tso ...... 25 2.9. Wetlands function and groundwater recharge...... 27 2.10. Vulnerability mapping...... 27 3. Discussion and amendment of workplan...... 28 4. Data needs...... 28 5. Recommended follow-up activities...... 29 5.1. Consensus on two reference sites in the Lhasa River Basin...... 29 5.2. Scales and level of details ...... 29 5.3. Taxonomical determination of aquatic and reed species ...... 29 6. References ...... 29 7. Annexes ...... 30 7.1. Annex 1 – Parameters of meteorological stations, runoff and soil (M Prasch) ...... 31 7.2. Biodiversity and Ecohydrology (Georg Janauer) ...... 38
Page 2 of 38 GOCE-036952 BrahmaTWinn Field Trip Tibet 2006
1. Groups organisation and itineraries The first BrahmaTWinn Field Trip took place in Tibet from 9/11 to 9/27, 2006. It has been organised and conducted by Partner 14, the Institute for Tibetan Plateau Research (ITP). The field trip was arranged according to the three (four) thematic groups (TG) of BrahmTWinn. Note that this report is a compiled product from notes taken by the different groups during the field trip. Since sometimes the groups have been merged, or have visited the same sites after each other, the report is structured topic-, but not group- wise. The three groups were assigned a primary thematic focus and a specific route. They were named and guided accordingly as listed below: Route A (TG1): Hydrological Assessment of the Basin – led by Prof. Jingshi Liu Route B (TG2): Hydrobiology and Geohydrology of Wetlands – led by Prof. Shichang Kang Route C (TG3/TG4): Human Dimension and Vulnerability Mapping & Present IWRM and Stakeholder Process – led by Prof. Liping Zhu Figure 1 shows the general routing for all three groups, which have followed these routes in different portions and during different phases of the trip. The idea was to see as much and become acquainted as much as possible with the catchment of the Yarlung Tsangpo (=Upper Brahmaputra) and especially with the sub-catchment of the Kyi Chu (Lhasa River), indicated by the white outline. More specifically, the main routes led to (1) Nam Tso crossing Laken La Pass towards the North, (2) Nyangtri and Nyingdrong towards the East, (3) Nakartse and Yamdruk Yamtso crossing Kamba La Pass towards the South, and finally (4) Shigatse towards the West. The routes thus have covered a considerable part of the Central and Southeastern part of the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR), mainly within the provinces of Ü and Tsang. This part of TAR is the political, historical and agricultural heartland of Tibet. Flanked by the Nyenchen Tanglha mountain range to the North-East, which marks the entrance to the high-altitude plains of the Changtang, the area of Ütsang (the combined provinces of Ü and Tsang) trip is characterised by fertile valleys and a relatively mild climate.
Page 3 of 38 GOCE-036952 BrahmaTWinn Field Trip Tibet 2006
Figure 1. routes of the BrahmatWinn Tibet Field Trip. Map compiled by M Prasch; data sources: SRTM 90 m, Landsat ETM mosaic 30(15) m, GPS tracklogs recorded by S Lang.
1.1. Group A Group A has been attended by Partner 2 (LMU), Partner 4 (Z_GIS) and Partner 14 (ITP) (Tab.1).
Tab 1: Participants of the field trip in group A.
Name Partner Monika Prasch 2 LMU Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Germany Peter Zeil 4 Z_GIS University of Salzburg, Austria Stefan Lang 4 Z_GIS University of Salzburg, Austria Prof. Jingshi Liu 14 ITP Institute for Tibetan Plateau Research, Beijing, China Feng Chen 14 ITP Institute for Tibetan Plateau Research, Beijing, China Tian Keming 14 ITP Institute for Tibetan Plateau Research, Beijing, China
The main focus of partner 2 (LMU) was on the input data for the hydrological model like land use / land cover, soil texture and meteorological data. For modelling hydrographs of the rivers, information about the river bed is required. Furthermore, gauging stations provide measurements for the validation of the model outputs. Under the guidance of ITP, the main objective of Partner 2 was to collect sample data about soils and landcover critical for selecting modelling parameters. Partner 4 (Z_GIS) has focused on land use, land cover issues, ground truth sampling for remote sensing applications and LULC classifications, GPS readings and track-logging. Tab. 2: Detailed plan of the routes of group A
Date Route Sept 12 Flight from Beijing to Lhasa Sept 13 Lhasa Meeting; meteorological and gauging station of Lhasa Sept 14 Trip to the east, to Nyangtri Conditions in the eastern region Sept 15 Nyangtri to Phelung ITP forest institute, small turn of ParlungTsangpo Sept 16 Nyangtri to Basong Tso and back to Lhasa Glacier lake, gauging stations Sept 17 Lhasa Meeting Sept 18 Lhasa to Phodo Dzong and back Catchment of the Kyi Chu (Lhasa River) Sept 19 Lhasa to Yamdruk Yamtso to Nakartse Lake and glacier Sept 20 Nakartse to Shigatse Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) valley Sept 21 Shigatse to Gyantse and back to Lhasa “Granary” of Tibet, Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) valley Sept 22 Lhasa Meeting Sept 23 Lhasa to Nam Tso Gauging and meteorological stations, ITP Nam Tso station Sept 24 Nam Tso to Lhasa Sept 25 Flight from Lhasa to Beijing Final discussion
1.2. Group B Group B has been attended by the following partners (Tab.3).
Page 4 of 38 GOCE-036952 BrahmaTWinn Field Trip Tibet 2006
Tab 3: Participants of the field trip in group B.
Name Partner Prof. Georg Janauer 5 UniVie University of Vienna Zuzana Bukalova 18 Vodni VODNÍ ZDROJE Ivo Cerny 18 Vodni VODNÍ ZDROJE Luna Bharati 12 ICIMOD International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development Prof. Kang Shichang 14 ITP Institute for Tibetan Plateau Research
Tab. 4: Detailed plan of the routes of group B
Date Route Sept 12 Flight from Beijing to Lhasa Sept 13 Lhasa Meeting; meteorological and gauging station of Lhasa Sept 14-17 Trip to Nam Tso led over Laken Several day trips (see 2.8.5 for details) La Pass to Nam Co Station Sept 18 Lhasa and Wetland Visit to historical sites. In Lhasa city the big wetland was given a brief visit. A comparison was made of aquatic species found there with species known from the Twinning Basin of the Danube. Sept 19-21 Yangzuo Yong Co (Yamdrok Yum Trip to the southern part of the Brahmaputra basin Co) (Sep. 19 to 21): Accomodation in Ngarzhag (Nangartse). Visit to the Glacier Lake near Monda Kangri. Travel back to the Brahmaputra valley and to Xigaze; river water samples were collected from the Brahmaputra. Visit to historical sites. Next day return to Lhasa. Sept 22 Lhasa Work in the city Sept 23 Lhasa River Valley Approach up the Kyi Chu part of the river close to Meldro Gongkar. Step-by-step return down the valley and stops at several wetlands. Photo panoramas were taken at each site, and soil and water samples were collected at respective sites. Sept 24 Lhasa Work in the city Sept 25 Flight from Lhasa to Beijing Final discussion
For further information see Annexes “Biodiversity and Ecohydrology” and Annex 2 – “Monitoring of wetlands, sampling of water and soil”.
1.3. Group C Group C has been attended by the following partners (Tab.5). Tab 5: Participants of the field trip in group C.
Name Partner Ilse Steyl 6 Geodan GeoData Institute, University of Southampton Jörg Pechstädt 1 FSU Friedrich Schiller University Jena Liang Chun (Albert) Deng 1 CARR Center for Agricultural Resources Research 5 Prof. Liping Zhu 1 ITP Institute for Tibetan Plateau Research 4
Page 5 of 38 GOCE-036952 BrahmaTWinn Field Trip Tibet 2006
[Beijing] → Lhasa → Yangzuoyong Co → Ngarzhag → Jiangzi → Xigaze → Lhasa → Dazi →Lhasa → Yambajan → Damxung → Nam Co → Lhasa [11days]
2. Main issues
2.1. Water resources management Water pollution in China is a major problem and despite the fact that the water quality in water courses in Tibet is not affected to a huge extent yet, the signs of decreasing quality are already apparent. There is a lack of institutionalized waste and sewage removal systems in Tibet, even though the local economy is growing quickly. The sources of contamination are varied: agricultural, human, and animal wastes as well as mining waste products. Copper, gold and chromites are the major mining activities and tailing from these mines are usually not treated before they get disposed of in rivers. Sulphuric acid, cyanide and heavy metals are the main pollutants expected in Tibet. In Central Tibet, only in Lhasa a garbage disposal plant is operational. Major urban centres, including Xigatse, Tsethang, Chamdo, Nagchu and Gyantse, have no method of handling garbage disposal. Other water resource management problems are related to issues as: the increasing development in irrigation requirements, hydropower developments and the deforestation in the mountain areas. The impact of medium-sized dams in the river catchments is also starting to become a significant issue by increasing river fragmentation (for example: Yarlung Tsangpo catchment). In the Lhasa catchment, the sudden intensification of grain production relies on heavy applications of chemical fertiliser and pesticides to achieve higher yields, which in turn leads to chemical pollution of the Yarlung Tsangpo. China's 2003 white paper admits to the presence of persistent organochlorine compounds in this fertile region, saying only that the problem is now being monitored and surveyed, yet without outlining any remedial measures. Our investigation in the September 2006 did not detect any dangerous contaminants in the surface and ground waters in the area, yet. However, the field experiences from Tibet and the discussion related to licensing and pollution control, as well as water conservancy and flood and drought control provide proof that IWRM within the Tibetan Plateau is not existing. Usually, most of the water related problems are solved through engineering solutions, without due consideration for the sustainability of the measures. Environmental concerns due to intensive grazing should also be studied. Most of the visited wetland sites were being used for grazing. The many green houses (see 2.8.1) along the rivers are fertilized with water being drained into the river without treatment. NPS pollution in surface waters through floodplain agriculture also needs to studied
2.2. Institutional / legal framework Water pollution in China is a major problem and although the water quality of the water courses in Tibet is not affected to the same extent yet, the signs of decreasing water quality are already apparent. This is clear from the apparent lack of a formal waste and sewage removal system, even though the local economy is growing at a fast pace and at a higher annual rate than the national average. The sources of pollution are varied – agricultural (nitrates), human and animal waste, as well as mining waste products. Copper, gold and chromites are the major mining activities and tailings from these mines are not treated before they get disposed of in rivers. Sulphuric acid, cyanide and heavy metals are the main pollutants. Other water resource management issues include the increasing development in irrigation requirements, hydropower developments and the deforestation in the mountainous areas. The impact of medium-sized dams in the catchment is also starting to become a significant issue by increasing river fragmentation. This is more of a concern in the eastern parts of the Yarlung Tsangpo catchment though. Although water shortage is currently not a problem in the Yarlung Tsangpo catchment, the increase in irrigation will impact on the available water resource. This, coupled with the decrease in precipitation, will have a considerable impact on agriculture in the area. Meanwhile, the lagging construction of the
Page 6 of 38 GOCE-036952 BrahmaTWinn Field Trip Tibet 2006 supporting and affiliated water conservancy projects has already, to a large extent, affected the comprehensive benefits of the primary project. It was hoped that a few institutions and organisations responsible for water management and agricultural and industrial activities could be visited during the fieldtrip. Unfortunately the arrangements for this were not made in advance of the trip and the people we could meet in the end were not involved in the activities we needed answers to. The only person that had enough knowledge on the water management situation on the Yarlung Tsangpo was Mr Zhou from the Department of Administrative Affairs of the Tibet Water Resource Bureau. The discussion touched on issues relating to licensing and pollution control, as well as water conservancy, and flood and drought control. The interview confirmed IWRM within the Yarlung Tsangpo (and Tibet in general) is non-existent. Concerns were raised by Mr Zhou regarding the lack of power the provincial WRB has on management of the water resource and that central government is pushing for economic development without due regard for the ecological and social impacts this will have within the catchment. Most of the water management problems are solved through engineering solutions, without due consideration for the sustainability of the measures. Water resources in China is owned by the State and governed by institutional and regulatory arrangements at both national and local levels. At the national level, the Ministry of Water Resources (MOWR) performs its administrative authority on water resource management and focus mainly on water quantity, while the State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA), takes charge of aquatic environmental protection. The State Council has overall responsibility for these institutions, but the regulatory authority comes from the laws enacted by the National People’s Congress, namely the Water Law (2002) and the Law on the Prevention and Control of Water Pollution (1996). Other water-related laws and regulations govern land use, flood and drought control, as well as soil and water conservation. Some of the water-related responsibilities are also shouldered by the Ministry of Construction (MOC), the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA), the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), and the Ministry of Land and Resources (MOLR), among others. At the local level, institutional arrangements conform to the state level framework, with an affiliated working organ under each ministry, commission or administration handling the local water-related responsibilities. The local People’s Congress promulgated Implementation Rules or Guidelines for the national laws and regulations, enforcing water resource management by legislative and institutional measures. However, intrinsic problems with water-related institutional and regulatory systems are witnessed at the local level in Tibet. The phrase Nine Dragons on One River is an appropriate way of describing water management in the region. Integration of the system through governance and management structures is not apparent and the result is a segmentation of all functions in the water management framework. The weaknesses in the institutional structure have led to management failures and even though the Tibetan Plateau is regarded as the “Water Tower” of Asia, changes in the amount of water available for use are becoming apparent in certain areas. An example of such a case is the groundwater table in Lhasa, which is reportedly declining, results in increased costs for extracting water and consequently threatening the livelihoods and safety of the people. The ineffective enforcement of laws and regulations worsens the water management situation in Tibet. Water resource verification, one of the most important administrative tools to assist in water management, is virtually non-existent in the Key Project feasibility studies conducted in Tibet. These Key Projects are part of the overall development of the Autonomous Region. The reporting of water extraction and permitting is not effectively enforced and this leniency will undermine the appropriate water management system. The subsequent increase in the vulnerability of water users will be most apparent under extreme meteorological and hydrological conditions, just like the impact of weather change on agriculture and animal husbandry during 2006. Water management in Tibet is not strategically prioritised in the master plan of the local economic and social development, which mostly caters for investment-centred development. In the past, the Tibetan economy has largely been dependent on investment from central government, which is in accordance with the national priority for stability in Tibet. Since 1980, the four Tibet Working Conferences have ensured a
Page 7 of 38 GOCE-036952 BrahmaTWinn Field Trip Tibet 2006 policy of long-term investment from the central budget. The gradually developed City Partnership between Tibet and other provinces strengthened the Key Project construction. With the local economy and infrastructure booming, the underdeveloped institutional and regulatory background will hamper sound governance and as a result increase the potential risk of adverse impact. During the fieldtrip, people responsible for legislation and policy related issues could not be contacted. However, contact details of relevant people have been obtained and interviews will be arranged during January. These people are: Within SEPA – o Secretary (Tel: 66556154); o Division of Policy Research (Tel: 66556159); o Division of Legislation (Tel: 66556165); o Division of Administrative Penalty and Review (Tel: 66556167) Within the Ministry of Water Resources – o Director-General: Mr. Zhao Wei (Department of Policy, Law and Regulations) Secretariat of Chinese National Committee on Large Dams (Tel. 68435228); China Water Resources Research Institute (Wang Hao); China GWP (Dr. Dong Zheren, Tel: 68458089)
2.3. Snow & glacier The snow and glacier terrains of the field area could not be surveyed directly within the available timeframe. Inspection at close range, were possible at the Kalurong Glacier Lake (Fig. 2). The etch of the side-moraine indicates the rate of glacier retreat.
Figure 2. Glacier lake of Kalurong glacier (90.225 long / 28.892 lat / 4867 m a.s.l. Photograph taken by S. Lang)
Page 8 of 38 GOCE-036952 BrahmaTWinn Field Trip Tibet 2006
2.4. Meterological stations During the field trip six meteorological stations were visited. On Fig. 3 the positions of these stations are marked with yellow symbols. The red triangles symbolise the meteorological stations of the WMO (World Meteorological Organization). Lhasa station is the only one among the WMO stations that was visited during the field trip. Tab. 1 / Annex 1 shows the name of the area, the exact geographical position, the measured values (not exhaustive), the existence of other stations and a few annotations. An estimation of the average annual rainfall or precipitation is also noted, if it was known by the guide. For two more locations, average values for climatic conditions were told to the Group. The average precipitation around the Mi La Pass (92,3471 long, 29,8264 lat) on the way from Lhasa to the east is approx. 800 mm. In the eastern region around Nyangtri (94,5343 long, 29,5723 lat) the climate is mild and with a precipitation about 1000 mm wet compared to the rest of Tibet, caused by the monsoon, that comes up the Brahmaputra valley from India.
Figure 3. Meteorological Stations of the WMO Network (red), visited during the field trip (yellow).
2.5. Discharge One of the most popular possibilities for modelling hydrographs with a minimum of available data is to estimate the mean velocity of the river with the Manning’s formula:
2/3 1/2 v = 1/n * R Se where v = mean velocity of flow [m/s] R = hydraulic radius [m] Se = slope of energy grade line [m/m]
Page 9 of 38 GOCE-036952 BrahmaTWinn Field Trip Tibet 2006
n = Manning’s roughness coefficient At a representative cross-section of the river bed the slope must be determined. By going through the steps according to the method of estimating roughness coefficients, developed by Woody L. Cowan, the roughness coefficient is estimated [National Engineering Handbook NEH 5 Hydraulics, Water Resources Publications, LLC, P.O.Box 260026, Highlands Ranch, Colorado 80163-0026, U.S.A. (National Engineering Publications from the United States Soil Conservation Service)]. The hydraulic radius R is determined by dividing the cross sectional area of flow [m²] by the length of the perimeter of the cross section in contact with the stream. During the field trip several gauging stations were visited. On Fig. 4 the locations and the names of these stations are shown. Furthermore the map presents points where parameters for the estimation of the runoff also were estimated. Tab. 4 gives detailed information about these places with the exact geographical position and the estimated river depth. The values for river width and slope are extracted from satellite images. Therefore they are not exactly. Furthermore the beginning of measurements (if known) and the existence of other stations are noted. The steps for estimating Manning’s Roughness Coefficient are listed in Tab. 5. Additional information of these locations delivers the annotations. If data were available, the average runoff and the average velocity are given.
Figure 4. Gauging station, visited during the field trip and places, where runoff parameters were determined.
2.6. Soils The texture class largely determines the velocity of water in or through a soil horizon and it’s water storage. It is the most important property of soil for the hydrological model.
Page 10 of 38 GOCE-036952 BrahmaTWinn Field Trip Tibet 2006
Therefore soil samples were taken (Fig. 4, yellow and white points) during the field trip. The yellow points symbolise samples, whose texture will be analysed by ITP. On the white points, the soil was analysed just by the “finger-feel-method”. All the information collected for these samples are listed in Tab. 4 /Annex 1.
Figure 5. Places where soil samples were taken (yellow = texture analysis is made by ITP, white = no texture analysis is made).
Figure 6. Soil sampling near Lhinzou (91.267 long / 29.98 lat / 3882 m a.s.l. Photograph taken by S. Lang).
Page 11 of 38 GOCE-036952 BrahmaTWinn Field Trip Tibet 2006
2.7. Permafrost & slope instability Retreating permafrost effects were observed at several locations. The evidence, however, has been collected indirect rather than direct. Vegetation changes (discussed at the Forest Research Station in Phelung) and several fresh landslides (various locations) can be related to permafrost changes. How far major slope instability events (e.g. at Basong Tso) are caused by melting permafrost remains to be studied.
2.8. Land use / land cover practices The high plateau of Tibet is one of the most extreme regions of the world with respect to its climatic conditions. In general there is a potential feedback between the climatic conditions and land use. Changing land use patterns may in turn influence the Asian monsoon system, which is mainly driven by the large continental mass and high temperature amplitudes of the Tibetan plateau. The main land use in Tibet is agriculture. Favourable areas for arable land and cultivations are rare; they are concentrated on the subtropical valleys between 3,500 and 3,900 m a.s.l. Depending on the altitude, this consists of pastoral areas, arable land or a combination of both. Main farming activities take place in the Yarlong Tsangpo valley, predominantly (about 75%) cultivated with local barley with some spring and winter wheats. Due to topographic conditions and seasonal flooding, cultivations are restricted to higher ground on terraces, debris fans and small upslope areas in the valley (exception: Xigaze basin). The prevailing thermal and solar conditions, which are quite favourable in the larger valleys, are compensated by low precipitations and high evapotransporation rates (Thomas & Shenbin, 2002). Forestry is dominant in the eastern areas of Tibet, but diminished in comparison what it used to be (see below). Industry is mostly concentrated around urban areas and mining activity can be found across the TAR. This discussion will focus on agriculture and forestry, which were the main activities visited during the field trip. Agriculture – Arable: China did significant national reforms on its land tenure system between 1978 and 1984. The country disposed of the collective system of farming and started contracting land to individual households under the Household Responsibility System (HRS) (Krusekopf, 2002). The HRS aimed to distribute farm land equally in quantity and quality to households according to their family size. Under this system, households keep the residual after paying the government procurement and tax. The result, at first, was an increase in agricultural production, but by the end of the 1980s and throughout most of the 1990s this increase diminished significantly. During the trip a number of communities were visited, which assisted in getting an understanding of the different agricultural livelihoods present in Tibet. A community close to Lhasa, Najin township was visited. This specific community of approximately 80 households were managing a cattle feedlot. The feedlot was set-up through national government funding support and it also included the building of a water reticulation system. This is a groundwater system pumping where water is pumped to a storage tank, which is then used within the feedlot area – households working on the feedlot enterprise also have access to this reticulation system. There is also a possibility that a larger part of the community will get access to the water, with an expansion of the system. A significant number of greenhouses are also present within this township. Tibetans do not farm the vegetables, but rent out the land to Han Chinese mostly from Sichuan Province. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the heavy use of fertiliser and pesticides within the greenhouses are having a detrimental impact on the soil fertility and also to the water quality in the area. Heavy use of underground water for irrigation also drains the ground water table, which increases the cost of water withdraws. Water usage in the areas where greenhouses are located are also increasing. This has been found in all the villages and towns visited, from Shigatse in the west to Nyingchi in the east.
Page 12 of 38 GOCE-036952 BrahmaTWinn Field Trip Tibet 2006
Fig. 7. Irrigation canal in Najin township, Lhasa (Photograph: I. Steyl)
Two communities in the Shigatse Prefecture, where arable and pastoral farming is practiced, were visited. Interviews were held with a family in the village of Shalu, busy harvesting their barley field. As we have noticed throughout the area, no machinery is used during this process. The reason given was that, although they had tractors before, the maintenance is costly and capacity demanding. It is therefore preferable to use the old methods of planting and harvesting. It took this family (about seven people) a whole day to harvest a field of approximately 400 m2. The Baza township in Bailang County was also visited. This township was part of the EU funded Integrated Rural Development Project, which included nine townships and two towns within the Shigatse Prefecture. The project was launched in 1992 and continued over a period of nine years. The intention of the project was initially, to improve the efficiency of the Chu Sun (One River Two Streams) irrigation system. However, it later also included assistance in agriculture, livestock, forestry, rural water supply and sanitation, education, health, as well as rural credit and capacity building. The project was quite controversial within the EU. The criticism mainly centred on the perception that local Tibetans were not included in the actual planning of the project and that the project was geared towards increasing the wheat production in the area, to allow for the migration of more Chinese to the area. South of Nyingchi, on the northern banks of the Yarlung Tsangpo, we visited a village known for its fruit produce. One of the residents with whom an interview was held, stated that her family has been resident in the village for the past four / five years. They rent seven greenhouses from local people (Tibetans) and grow watermelon, grapes and tomatoes. They also buy walnuts from other farmers and use the husks for dying clothes. They sell their produce to traders in Nyingchi as well as Lhasa.
Page 13 of 38 GOCE-036952 BrahmaTWinn Field Trip Tibet 2006
Fig. 8. Greenhouse in Najin township, Lhasa (Photograph: I. Steyl)
The largest agricultural land available in Tibet is around the Shigatse and Gyantse regions, west of Lhasa, often concentrated along the river valley, called the valley farming and regarded as the “Tibet Barn”. This is an area which has received significant amounts of government and international funding – many of them quite controversial in nature.
Fig. 9. Harvesters near Shalu village (Photograph: I. Steyl)
Page 14 of 38 GOCE-036952 BrahmaTWinn Field Trip Tibet 2006
Agriculture – nomadic: Throughout Tibet, especially in the higher plains and in areas not suitable for arable land, grassland animal husbandry can be considered an important component of the regional economy (Yaxing & Quangong, 2001). Nomads generally live on altitudes between 4,500 and 5,500 metres (Wu, 2001). The traditional pastoralism, which lasted over thousands of years, has been changed radically and abrupt during the 1950s and 1960s (Miller, 1999). With current pastoral development policies in place, traditional nomads are transformed into commercial livestock farmers. The propagated process of sedendarization not only questions the investment costs for buildings, fences and other farming infrastructures in the absence of viable markets, but also – and probably more important – threatens deep rooted knowledge and experiences of how to use the land in a sustainable way. Formerly considered rather a matter of randomness, today the movement patterns of nomads and the respective grazing patterns are considered a sophisticated system that adheres to complex social organizations and regulations (ibid.). Nomads have been encouraged to increase the number of livestock they have, to support the growing population in Tibet. This is resulting in over-grazing in many areas, having a significant impact on the sustainability of the livestock herds and the grassland areas (ibid.). The systematic culling of the pika in the high montane areas is also having an impact on the biodiversity of grasslands. It was considered a pest, which competes with livestock for forage and generally increase rangeland degradation. However, it is actually a keystone species that is very important to the biodiversity of the montane alpine areas (China Daily, 2004). We had interviews with a family of nomads living on the southern slopes of the Nyenchen Tanglha range. They were a small family unit with only a herd of approximately 50 yak. Their diet consists mostly of yak and sheep, while they trade for barley, other food sources and other necessities of life. They also collect medicinal plants during June, which they can use for trading. During the winter they move down to Damshung where they have a permanent house. Erosion and land degradation is a major problem in Tibet. This impacts not only the productivity of agricultural practices, but also has a negative impact on the biodiversity of the area, the sustainability of grazing land, as well as having an impact on the amount of sediment entering the river courses. This in turn also impacts on the sustainability of hydro-electric power generation. Forestry. Forestry in Tibet is today less widespread than it used to be. The main forests in Tibet can be found in the southeast, but there are also still a few patches of indigenous forests north of Lhasa, e.g. Reting sacred forest (Miehe, et al., 2003). Scientists believe that the Lhasa catchment area was previously much more forested than is currently the case (Winkler, 1998). Due to the extensive deforestation, erosion increased significantly and sediment load into the Yarlung Tsangpo has been amplified. Efforts to combat this are being implemented by planting willow and polar trees along the river banks, as well as on wetland areas. Both poplar and willow trees are fast growing, however they are also very thirsty trees, which could have a negative impact on the total water balance within the catchment. The sustainability of wetland areas are also at risk, since the poplar trees will eventually dry out these important water habitats. Tree planting activities along and even in the river valleys are basically the measures of local environment improvement by the government, which is initiated as early as 1991 as the “Yarlung Tsangpo River, Lhasa River and Nianchu River Integrated Development Campaign”. The project lasted over a decade with an annual central investment of about 100 million RMB.
2.8.1. Lhasa – Nyangtri – Phelung In the course of the agricultural reorganisation of Tibet a lot of greenhouses have been installed to provide vegetable supply for Chinese people in Tibet. In the summertime these constructions assure almost 30% of the consumption. A lot of greenhouses can be seen along the Kyi Chu (Lhasa River) valley in direction to the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra), on the way from Shigatse to Gyantse and around Nyangtri (Fig. 5).
Page 15 of 38 GOCE-036952 BrahmaTWinn Field Trip Tibet 2006
Figure 10. Greenhouses in the region of Nyangtri. (15.09.2006, Photograph: M. Prasch)
On the way along the Kyi Chu (Lhasa River) from Lhasa to the east, alpine grass is growing right to the top of the hills. In the valleys there are small barley fields. Barley is the food basis of the Tibetan People and is harvested in September (Fig. 6). Close to the river bed poplars are growing. It seems not to be a natural process, it might be reforestation. East of Gungkar the density of the vegetation is gradually arising. Shrubs are growing on the hills till the elevation reaches the tree line. Around the Mi La Pass the natural vegetation is alpine grass. Nomads are using it as pasture land (Fig. 8). In the eastern region after the Mi La Pass (meteorological divide) the vegetation cover gets lush because of the warmer and wetter climate compared to Lhasa. Through the monsoon, which comes along the Yarlung Tsangpo (Bramaputra) valley from India, there is more rain in the area around Lhasa. The vegetation is dens and taller. There are a lot of holm oaks (Fig. 7) growing in this region high upon the mountains. Along the river valleys barley is cultivated wherever it is possible. Besides the cultivation of vegetables and fruits, barley and some maize fields are around Nyangtri. As a result of the climatic conditions, this region is one of the main areas for food production.
Page 16 of 38 GOCE-036952 BrahmaTWinn Field Trip Tibet 2006
Fig. 11. Barley fields in the Kyi Chu (Lhasa River) valley (14.09.2006, Photograph: M. Prasch)
Fig. 12. Holm oaks on the way from the Mi La Pass to Nyangtri. (14.09.2006, Photograph: M. Prasch)
Page 17 of 38 GOCE-036952 BrahmaTWinn Field Trip Tibet 2006
Fig. 13. Tent of Nomads with Yaks near the Mi La Pass (16.09.2006, Photograph: M. Prasch)
Experts from the ITP forest station in Lunang explained, that the tree line lies between 4300 and 4500 m a.s.l.. They recognised changes, which are higher on southern exposed hills than on western exposed ones. On places where landslides occurred, juniper is growing as one of the first vegetation classes. Landslides are rising during the last years, eventually due to more precipitation. On the way to Phelung and the Small Turn of the Parlung Tsangpo mostly mixed forest is growing in high density (Fig.9).
Page 18 of 38 GOCE-036952 BrahmaTWinn Field Trip Tibet 2006
Fig. 14. Dense mixed forest in Phelung (15.09.2006, Photograph: M. Prasch).
2.8.2. Lhasa – Phodo Dzong - Nyingdrong On the way from Lhasa to Phodo Dzong in the northern part of the Kyi Chu (Lhasa River) Catchment sparse grass vegetation or small shrubs with thorns are growing on the hills. There are no trees. On the hills and mountains very huge alluvial cones can be found, which are consisting of a lot of boulders and stones, so that low agricultural use is occurring (Fig. 11).
Fig. 15. Erosion after the bridge crossing the Kyi Chu (Lhasa River) near Taktse/Dechen (18.09.2006, Photograph: M. Prasch).
Although a few maize fields could be seen, barley is cultivated wherever it is possible. Large fields are around Linzhou (Fig. 11). One of the reasons might be adequate soil. Watering for the fields is provided through canalisation (Fig. 12). On the way to Phodo Dzong over the Chak La Pass the vegetation is changing into pasture grass land, used by nomads. After the Pass the picture does not change very much. Predominantly grass is growing there. Just along the Kyi Chu (Lhasa River) small barley fields appear. (The mountains in this region seem to be of volcanic origin) (Fig. 13).
Page 19 of 38 GOCE-036952 BrahmaTWinn Field Trip Tibet 2006
Fig. 16. Large barley fields near Linzhou (18.09.2006, Photograph: M. Prasch).
Fig. 17.Irrigation canal near Linzhou (18.09.2006, Photograph: M. Prasch).
Page 20 of 38 GOCE-036952 BrahmaTWinn Field Trip Tibet 2006
Fig. 18. Phodo Dzong (18.09.2006, Photograph: M. Prasch).
2.8.3. Lhasa – Nakartse The way from Lhasa to Narkartse followed the Kyi Chu (Lhasa River) to its mouth in the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra). Many sand dunes can be seen on the mountains, exposed to the east. If possible, the land is used for agriculture, mostly along the river. The wetlands along the way were also seen to be used for grazing yaks. As with the horses, the yaks will also affect the wetland through compaction and grazing. One of the wetlands is used for the collection of burnable gas. Several known aquatic species found, but in the reed areas more species are different from their European relatives. Two other additions to the natural landscape were found in The planting of Poplar trees in flood plains, river banks and wetland areas. The purpose of planting these trees could be for stream bank stabilization and/or to drain the wetland areas. Poplars are fast growing trees and can be harvested for fuel wood or commercial products such as matches. However, they consume a lot of water and at certain places need to be irrigated during the dry season. Green houses are being built along the rivers for mainly vegetable production. Water is being pumped out of the river for the green houses. To reach Nakartse and the Yamdrok Yumtso Lake (Yangzuo Yong Co) it is necessary to cross the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) and go up the Kamba La Pass. The mountains in that region are covered by sparse alpine grassland. Extremely high erosion occurs on the mountains (Fig. 14). In higher regions many gentians and alpine roses are growing (Fig. 15). Around Yamdrok Yumtso the situation is similar. The mountains are covered by alpine grassland and wherever it is possible, barley is cultivated. These possibilities are on alluvial cones (Fig. 15). Rarely one finds any tree. At Yangzuo Yong Co plenty of aquatic and wetland vegetation can be found along the shores of the lake. The lake is situated 4,441 meters above sea level, south of the Lhasa River's mouth to the Brahmaputra. The lake’s water depth is 30 to 40 meters and its greatest known depth is located in the southeast of the
Page 21 of 38 GOCE-036952 BrahmaTWinn Field Trip Tibet 2006 lake at 58 meters. Most of the lake is not directly accessible without boat: the wetland is, in part, a floating meadow, which does not allow for stepping on it. Samples were taken from the lake water, from the wetlands close Nangartse, and soil sampling were collected from typical locations in the wetlands. Much of the wetland adjacent to the western shore of the lake is being used for grazing horses. This will definitely have an effect on the wetland through physical compaction. The natural species distribution could also be affected as horses will have a preference for certain species of plants.
Fig. 19. The Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) valley from the way up to Kamba La (20.09.2006, Photograph: M. Prasch)
Page 22 of 38 GOCE-036952 BrahmaTWinn Field Trip Tibet 2006
Fig. 20. View of the Kamba La Pass to a alluvial cone at Yamdruk Yamtso, gentians are growing on the Pass shoulder (19.09.2006, Photograph: M. Prasch).
2.8.4. Nakartse - Shigatse Along the Yarlung Tsanpgo (Brahmaputra) on the way to Shigatse the vegetation becomes sparse. Because of the dry climate, the growing conditions for the natural vegetation are bad, enforced by rocky soils. Furthermore, sand dunes and high erosion can also be found (Fig. 16). Nevertheless, the precipitation is enough for the cultivation of barely as it falls during the monsoon in spring. In the wide valleys near the Yarlung Tsanpgo (Brahmaputra) huge areas are cultivated with barley. Especially the region around Shigatse is a kind of “granary” of Tibet. The mouth of the Nyang Chu in the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) left a lot of alluvial soil, which makes the intensive barley cultivation possible. The production of bricks shows the clayey characteristics of the soil. Although the precipitation is about 200 mm per year, it is enough for the cultivation of barley. (Fig. 17)
Page 23 of 38 GOCE-036952 BrahmaTWinn Field Trip Tibet 2006
Fig. 21. Sand dunes along the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) on the way to Shigatse (20.09.2006, Photograph: M. Prasch)
Fig. 22. Brick production on the way form Shigatse to Gyantse. In the background you can see straw from the barley and new built greenhouses (21.09.2006, Photograph: M. Prasch).
Page 24 of 38 GOCE-036952 BrahmaTWinn Field Trip Tibet 2006
2.8.5. Lhasa – Nam Tso Nam Co (Nam Tso) is the largest inland lake in Tibet, situated at an elevation of 4718 meters. It covers an area of 1920 km2. The lake water is salinized with a mineral concentration of 1.7 – 2 g/l (of which sulphates make more than 1600 mg/l). As Nam Co is a tectonic lake without an outlet it is subsidized only by precipitation and melt water. Evaporation – and the mineral content of the melt water – are the source of the salinisation of the lake. Water samples were taken from the lake and from the well close the ITP station (groundwater). The trip to Nam Tso led over Laken La Pass to Nam Co Station. Single day trips were taken to: On the South shore to the West; upon return a trip to the large peninsula. Trip to the gauging station and wetlands; sampling of the water, discussion about making it a potential site for high resolution assessment. Most plant species are unknown and will need of help by Chinese partners. Boat trip on the Nam Co: some aquatic plants of known, and some of unknown taxonomic identity. Again help by Chinese partners needed for final determination (similarity with species found in Europe can be incidental and must be proved by local experts). Trip to the N shore and to large wetlands. Determination of plant species faces the problem mentioned before. Travel back to Brahmaputra catchment via Damshung valley, where several possible locations for high resolution assessment were discussed. Several aquatic and reed species found, but determination still to be verified. Return to Lhasa. The Nam Co is a very important Tibetan religious site. Many pilgrims visit the site and walk around the lake. Therefore, the lake has not only environmental value but also cultural and social value. The lake is not used for fishing as fish are considered holy in Tibet. On the way along the railway near the Nyenchen Tanglha mountains there are a lot of pasture grassland, used by nomads, but nearly no agriculture. Trees can be seen rarely (Fig. 18 and 20). After the La Ken La Pass to the Nam Tso the picture does not change. Because of the height, just grassland is growing there. It is used by the nomads for their yaks (Fig. 19).
Fig. 23. Railroad form Beijing to Lhasa near Danshung (23.09.2006, Photograph: M. Prasch).
Page 25 of 38 GOCE-036952 BrahmaTWinn Field Trip Tibet 2006
Fig. 24. Area around the Nam Tso (23.09.2006, Photograph: M. Prasch)
Fig. 25. Area around the Nam Tso (23.09.2006, Photograph: M. Prasch)
Additional information for the cultivation of barley: In 2006 the harvesting time was in the mid of September in the region around Lhasa, in higher regions at the end of September or the beginning of October, whereas in lower regions the harvest was at the beginning of September.
Page 26 of 38 GOCE-036952 BrahmaTWinn Field Trip Tibet 2006
About approx. 320 plants per m² are cultivated. They grow up to a height of 50cm. The row distance is approx. 10 cm.
2.9. Wetlands function and groundwater recharge
China's white paper refers to Tibet's wetlands: "The Tibet Autonomous Region has more than six million ha of wetland, ranking first in China". Despite the white paper saying: "A policy is implemented ensuring that no new construction, reconstruction and expansion projects shall be authorized unless an evaluation of their impact on the environment has been conducted", the reality is that the western route of the proposed south-north water diversion project has been approved without conducting such a study. Preliminary work on the project is already underway and major infrastructure construction is scheduled to begin in 2010. The project includes building at least three mega-dams and blasting a series of tunnels hundreds of kilometers long through the eastern Tibetan Plateau and mountain ranges, thereby diverting headwaters of the Yangtze into the overexploited Yellow River of north China. When completed, the canals will divert up to 20 billion cubic meters of water annually to meet mounting water demands in the central and north-eastern provinces of China. The benefits to Tibet are zero. The costs include: Disruption of river hydrology; destruction of pristine ecosystems due to large-scale construction work to build massive dams and the innumerable explosions necessary to build tunnels through the Bayan Ha mountains and a permanent disruption of the traditional livelihood of people living near the construction sites. The expected intensive migration of Chinese workers into the region will be a large source of potential contamination of the water in Tibet in the case that appropriate measures (waste waters management strategy) will not be taken.
In September 2006, the wetlands were monitored and sampled during the field trip and the results are added in Annex 2. Generally, the quality of the wetlands appears to be high, no major source of pollution were found. One exception was detected in the Kyi Chu part of the Lhasa river area close to Meldro Gongkar, where we monitored large wetlands with groundwater recharge, which were partially polluted by anthropogenic wastes (litter).
2.10. Vulnerability mapping The impacts of climate change and the parallel changes in socio-economic behaviour need to be studied and reviewed concurrently. This will prevent inconsistencies between climate change and socio-economic change scenarios. The vulnerability of people to cope and adapt to changing climatic conditions can be measured using indicators of vulnerability and then spatially representing the outcomes. Vulnerability mapping is implemented in a variety of situations to determine the sensitivity to change of a specific group or area. It should be used to provide a strategic overview to inform management decisions and prioritise resources. In this study it will be used to assess the vulnerability of communities to changes in environmental conditions, as well as how policy related decisions will have a further impact on these groups. The information necessary to assess vulnerability will be physical, social and economic in nature. The field work conducted in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) during September 2006 - hereafter referred to as Tibet - aimed to give the researchers the necessary appreciation for the livelihoods of the people in the area and the socio-economic issues relevant to water resource management. The intention was also to investigate the state of water resource policy and legislation and interview key stakeholders in relevant organisations and institutions. This section will therefore discuss the main observations made, contextualised using selective literature, during the visit and offer some practical way ahead for future work. The impacts of the issues discussed above, in combination with the climatic changes that will inevitably have an impact on the temperature and precipitation of the whole Tibetan Plateau, needs to be coupled with the policy and governance framework dealing with water management and legislation.
Page 27 of 38 GOCE-036952 BrahmaTWinn Field Trip Tibet 2006
This will be done through the mapping of socio-economic structures, analysing the implications of changes to livelihoods as a result if climatic changes. Geo-statistical methods will be employed during this process, which will allow for the spatial mapping of predicted impacts.
3. Discussion and amendment of workplan Further changes of WPs as outlined in the DOW and further amended during the Kick-off Meeting in Jena were not seen as required when the whole group met for a final wrap-up at the end of the fieldtrip. The operational plan has to be reviewed with respect to the distribution of the workload (such as carried out for the LULC with new tasks assigned for ICIMOD).
4. Data needs (as assessed during the fieldtrip and up to the date of the report production) The following data needs have been identified for WP4: Spatial Water infrastructure – reservoirs, hydropower stations, water points; Mining sites; Road networks; Land cover & use (to be supplied by ZGIS); Administrative boundaries / data – prefecture; county; and smaller is possible, e.g. town / villages Census boundaries (preferably down to enumerator area); River networks (to be supplied by ZGIS); Elevation (using SRTM data); Spatial distributions of the Stats Yearbook figures, e.g. the agricultural data, industry, etc.
Non-spatial Census data – down to enumerator area, if possible; village / town level (household surveys); Water use figures for crops (this is to assist in calculating the water balance) For the assessment of ecohydrological qualities of the selected wetlands we need cooperation with socio-economics group (Georg Janauer) We also need at least a vague general assessment of which hydrological changes are expected in the scenarios to be able to formulate changes in ecohydrological strategies and the possible ecosystem services (Georg Janauer). Series of the expeditions to Tibet (1973-76) - CAS 1984 all information on aquatic plant species and on species in wetlands which were found at, or near, the sites that are listed in the itinerary of Group B field trip, parts 1 to 3 (Georg Janauer). .Vegetation cover (1989-90, 2000) in case of vegetation cover assessments in the Nam Co area, the Yumdrok Yum Co littoral and in the wetlands of the Lhasa River down from Gongkar (River Kyi Chu) all available data are welcome (Georg Janauer) Glacier monitoring - several papers publ. by ITP (last one in 2002) Soil data base
Page 28 of 38 GOCE-036952 BrahmaTWinn Field Trip Tibet 2006
5. Recommended follow-up activities
5.1. Consensus on two reference sites in the Lhasa River Basin
For more details please refer to http://www.brahmatwinn.unijena.de/brahmatwinnwiki/index.php/Bounding_Boxes
5.2. Scales and level of details
Asia_CA: Climate AOI (DTED-0 data)
o UBRB: Upper Brahma river basin (from Wang Chu junction upwards) UBRB_C1: Catchments Lhasa river UBRB_C1_R1: Reference site; topics: socio, agriculture, tourism, wetlands UBRB_C1_R2: Reference site; topics: socio, agriculture, urban
For more details please refer to http://www.brahmatwinn.unijena.de/brahmatwinnwiki/index.php/Bounding_Boxes
5.3. Taxonomical determination of aquatic and reed species Photographs of habitats, plant stands and/or details of plant parts are provided in Annex 4 – Biodiversity and Ecohydrology. Chinese partners are cordially asked to either verify or help in determination of the species presented in photographs
6. References China Daily, 2004: Pika wrongly accused. Published on 20-05-2004 Krusekopf, CC 2002: Diversity in land tenure arrangements under the household responsibility system in China. China Economic Review, Vol. 13 (2-3). Miehe, G; Miehe, S, Koch, K & Will, M 2003: Sacred forests in Tibet. Using Geographical Information Systems for forest rehabilitation. Mountain Research and Development. Vol 23 (4), pp. 324 – 328. Miller, D.J. 1999: Nomads of the Tibetan Plateau Rangelands in Western China. Part three: pastoral development and future challenges. Rangelands, 21 (2), pp 17-20. Thomas, A; C. Shenbin 2002: Landwirtschaft und klimatische Trends im zentralen Yarlong Tsangpo-Tal, Tibet. Erdkunde 56, pp 371-384. Winkler, D 1998: Deforestation in Eastern Tibet – Past and Present In: Development, Society and Environment in Tibet, Proc. 7th Sem. Intern. Assoc. Tibetan Studies (IATS) 1995. Ed. GE Clarke, pp. 79 – 96. Vienna. Wu, T 2001: The Qinghai-Tibetan plateau: How high do Tibetans live? High altitude medicine & biology. Vol 2(4), pp. 489 – 499. Yaxing, W & C. Quangong 2001: Grassland classifiaciton and evaluation of grazing capacity in Naqu Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region, China. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, 44, pp 253-258
Page 29 of 38 GOCE-036952 BrahmaTWinn Field Trip Tibet 2006
7. Annexes
Page 30 of 38 GOCE-036952 BrahmaTWinn Field Trip Tibet 2006
7.1. Annex 1 – Parameters of meteorological stations, runoff and soil (M Prasch) Tab. 1: Information on the meteorological
measure- other average average evapo- area longitude latitude elevation ments measured values annotations stations precipitation transpiration since [degree] [degree] [m a.s.l.] (not exhaustive) stations, visited during[mm/year] the field trip. [mm/year] precipitation, minimum and precipitation form may to gauging maximum temperature, Lhasa 91,1520 29,6454 3660 1955 500 700-800 september, little snowfall, in station evaporation, wind velocity winter little precipitation 10m, humidity, pressure precipitation, minimum and highest gauging station of Phodo gauging maximum temperature, 91,3516 30,178 4030 1976 n n the Kyi Chu (Lhasa River) Dzong station evaporation, wind velocity Catchment 10m, humidity, pressure manual precipitation, minimum and lake level Yamdrok approx. maximum temperature, on the surrounding hills 90,4415 29,1284 4450 measurem 370 1200 Yamtso 1976 evaporation, wind velocity approx. 600-700 mm ents every 10m, humidity, pressure 6 hours precipitation, minimum and way to maximum temperature, glacier of 90,2988 28,8926 4670 n n n n glacier retreat evaporation, wind velocity Kalurong 10m, humidity, pressure precipitation, minimum and near gauging maximum temperature, Yang- 90,5519 30,0836 4270 1956 n n station evaporation, wind velocity pachen 10m, humidity, pressure precipitation, minimum and NamTso maximum temperature, wind ITP 90,9620 30,7732 4730 13. Jul 05 no speed 10m, wind direction, n n automatic weather station Station humidity, pressure, solar radiation n = no information
Page 31 of 38 GOCE-036952 BrahmaTWinn Field Trip Tibet 2006
Tab. 2: Detailed Information to the
Location longitude latitude elevation rivergauging name stations andriver the depth places, whereriver runoffwidth parametersslope weregauging determined. station data since other stations [degree] [degree] [m a.s.l.] [m] [m] [%] Lhasa Kyi Chu (Lhasa 3,5 80 approx. meteorological 91,1520 29,6454 3660 1,5 yes River) 1966 station Nangsel Zampa 93,6670 29,8643 3220 Draksum Chu 0,5-1 90 0,60 yes n no Ngapo Zampa 93,2410 29,8849 3420 Nyang Chu n 40 0,60 yes n no near Ngapo Zampa 93,1082 29,9732 3550 Nyang Chu 5 15 0,70 yes n no Phodo Dzong Kyi Chu (Lhasa 0,5-2? 50 meteorological 91,3517 30,1788 4030 1,90 yes 1976 River) station Yangpachen Toelung Chu 3,6-5 20 meteorological 90,5501 30,0824 4280 4 yes 1956 station Nyangtri 94,3326 29,7066 3010 Nyang Chu 1 to 4 ? 260-1000 0,30 no n no Phelung 94,7981 29,9481 2419 RongChu 3-4? 40 3,35 no n no Small Turn of Parlung Tsangpo n 110 95,0133 30,0402 2000 1,30 no n no Parlung Tsangpo close to Chak La tributary of the Kyi 0,5-1,5 10 91,2726 30,1734 4165 3 no n no Chu (Lhasa River) bridge over Brahma- Yarlung Tsangpo n 730 90,6841 29,3309 3590 0,06 no n no putra (Brahmaputra) way to glacier n n 15-20 90,2988 28,8926 4670 1,25 no n no Kalurong way to Shigatse Yarlung Tsangpo n 5to10 90,3573 29,3034 3725 0,50 no n no (Brahmaputra) Shigatse 89,1984 29,1733 3854 Nyang Chu n 50 0,20 no n no n = no information, ATTENTION: the value for the river depth is estimated, the values for river width and slope are extracted from maps or satellite images!
Page 32 of 38 GOCE-036952 BrahmaTWinn Field Trip Tibet 2006
Tab. 3: Estimation of Manning’s Roughness Coefficien
modifying variations in modifying modifying mannings value for shape and size meandering average average Location basicn value for value for roughness annotations surface of cross value runoff velocity obstructions vegetation coefficient irregularity sections t, average values (if avai [m³/s] [m/s] Lhasa gauging station near bridge, suspended solids about 40t/year, compared to other regions in lable) and annotations. Tibet low, accumulation or erosion different in years, after 300 - 0,028 0,008 0,005 0,020 0,005 0,000 0,066 n maximum runoff yearly corrected 400 river level for runoff calculations, monsoon has high influence on runoff, more than snowmelt, normally at that time runoff is more than 20% higher Nangsel glacier runoff and glacier lake 0,028 0,015 0,010 0,040 0,005 0,000 0,098 n n Zampa before station Ngapo 0,028 0,005 0,005 0,010 0,000 0,000 0,048 n n n Zampa near Ngapo 0,028 0,020 0,000 0,020 0,000 0,000 0,068 n n n Zampa Phodo daily water level measurements, Dzong plan for a reservoir are existing, 0,028 0,010 0,005 0,020 0,000 0,000 0,063 n n last gauging station of the Kyi Chu (Lhasa River) Yang- 0,028 0,015 0,010 0,020 0,000 0,000 0,073 n 3 n pachen Nyangtri 0,028 0,020 0,015 0,030 0,005 0,000 0,098 n n channels with islands Phelung mountain river, a lot of bolders, 0,028 0,005 0,000 0,000 0,000 0,000 0,033 n n high slope, highest runoff in july, high erosion Parlung Tsangpo in 2002 flood with enormous 0,028 0,010 0,005 0,010 0,000 0,150 0,008 n 7 Small erosion Turn close to 0,028 0,020 0,000 0,010 0,005 0,000 0,063 n n n
Page 33 of 38 GOCE-036952 BrahmaTWinn Field Trip Tibet 2006
ChakLa bridge over very wide, lots of islands with 0,024 0,000 0,015 0,050 0,025 0,000 0,114 n n Brahma- trees putra way to glacier 0,028 0,020 0,010 0,010 0,005 0,000 0,073 n n n Kalurong way to along Brahmaputra on the way shigatse to Shigatse, enormous erosion, 0,025 0,005 0,000 0,000 0,005 0,000 0,035 n n deeply cut river bed, very narrow valley, dry Shigatse 0,028 0,005 0,010 0,020 0,005 0,000 0,068 n n n n = no information
Page 34 of 38 GOCE-036952 BrahmaTWinn Field Trip Tibet 2006
Tab. 4: Detailed information abou
depth depth depth longi- ele- date of soil depth of vege- analysis location latitude texture colour horizon horizon of annotations tude vation sampling depth outcrop tation by ITP t the soil sample points (The notes for colour A B roots [degree] [degree] [m a.s.l.] [yyyymmdd] [cm] [cm] [cm] [cm] [cm]
sandy, no bottom of slope, Lhasa medium grass, 91,5767 29,8067 3760 20060914 silt, not >110 110 30 80 10 high variety in no River brown shrubs sticky, fine depth of A and texture are not measured values, texture is near 92,2475 29,6920 4415 20060914 fine, sandy n n 30-40 50-80 n grass valley no Rutok high, under alpine near Mi dark horizon A 92,3478 29,8047 4840 20060914 fine n n 10 n 5-10 grass, no La Pass brown boulders down pasture just received of the ”fingerfrom the feel hills method”) alpine boulders down after Mi boulders 92,4993 29,9033 4565 20060914 n n n 5 n 2-5 grass, from hill under no La Pass and stones pasture grass very deep soils shrubs, because of loess, loam, 100- 70- trees, warm and wet Nyangtri 94,6000 29,6022 4230 20060915 n n 10-30 70-160 no very fine 200 100 high climate, density changes with rock very deep soils shrubs, because of close to very fine, 100- trees, warm and wet Serkhyem 94,6476 29,6515 4530 20060915 n n 10 n 10-40 no dense 400 high climate, La Pass density changes with rock shrubs, a lot of sandy, lot of trees, around 100- 10-30- boulders, not so 95,0103 30,0442 2060 20060915 stones, n n 5-10 5-30 very no Phelung 200 200 fine, horizon A boulders high small density Lhasa in valley near tilled Catch- 91,3345 29,8670 3740 20060918 fine, no clay brown n n n n n river, mineral yes acre ment near content might
Page 35 of 38 GOCE-036952 BrahmaTWinn Field Trip Tibet 2006
Linzhou be high because of the Fe (also on the hills nearby)
small Lhasa thorn thin plates of Chatch- shrubs, hematite, soil 91,3408 29,9370 4125 20060918 thin plates red n n n n n yes ment near sparse everywhere Linzhou vege- reddish tation Lhasa outcrop of a Catch- 130- barley acre, 91,2673 29,9673 3860 20060918 middle brown 140 60 80 80 barley yes ment near 140 intensive barley Linzhou cultivation bottom of slope, near sandy with sparse very dry, Yamdrok 90,3909 29,0002 4455 20060920 n >140 140 2-5 130 10 yes platy stones grass horizon a very Yumtso thin,slate? bottom of slope, near sandy with sparse very dry, Yamdrok 90,3909 29,0002 4455 20060920 n 200 200 5 195 15 yes platy stones grass horizon a very Yumtso thin,slate? middle, near 89,3342 29,3435 3800 20060920 many n n n n n n barley intensive acre yes Chakdam stones near loamy, no Shigatse- 89,0725 29,1713 3860 20060921 n n n n n n barley intensive acre yes stones Gyantse Dam- silty, clay, green- pasture, near 91,1328 30,4969 4270 20060923 >30 17 n n 15 pasture yes shung fine grey river, wetland wetland, Nying- fine, sandy, pseudogley, 90,9208 30,3786 4220 20060923 grey >65 35 n n 35 pasture yes drong no clay sandy, more or less no clay small horizon A, way to pasture, rounded stones Basong 93,7936 29,9896 3410 20060916 lot of stones brown >75 75 15 60 15 no barley -> Tso riversediments
Page 36 of 38 GOCE-036952 BrahmaTWinn Field Trip Tibet 2006
between rounded stones, MiLaPass rounded 92,5979 29,8523 4705 20060916 n >200 200 10 190 10 pasture small brown no und stones horizon A Chimda way to rounded sandy, river glacier 90,3349 28,8856 4602 20060919 stones, light grey >300 300 30 270 10-30 cropland no sediment layers Kalurong sand way to sand, few sparse used for road glacier 90,2984 28,8936 4660 20060919 grey >200 n n n 10 no stones grass building Kalurong sparse too cold and around stones, 90,9722 30,7633 4740 20060923 n n n n n 10 grass, high for no NamTso sand pasture cropland sparse high, alpine after angular 91,0993 30,6489 5150 20060924 brown n n 10-20 n 5-10 grass, vegetation, no Lakenla stones pasture small horizon A n = no information
Page 37 of 38 GOCE-036952 BrahmaTWinn Field Trip Tibet 2006
7.2. Biodiversity and Ecohydrology (Georg Janauer) A sub-project within the eco-hydrology group to be completed by ICIMOD has been identified. The main objective of the work will be to simulate the hydrological processes of a meso-scale watershed (approx. 2000 km2) within the Lhasa catchment and calculate the water balances including water use at the sub- watershed outlet points. The distributed water use (total water requirement per sub-watershed ) to maintain the existing natural vegetation including riparian ecosystems and wetlands will be calculated. The J2K model will be applied. Some specific processes of wetland functions might not be included in the model yet. Therefore, it might be necessary to formulate them and add them to the model structure.
Page 38 of 38