the qanat, foggara, karez or falaj systems known from des- ert regions, and the zabo, pokhari, johad and pyne systems known from hilly regions.
Irrespective of the variation in glacial and snow melt, which normally contributes only a smaller share of the total river flow, future variability in timing and intensity of precipita- tion will contribute substantially to down-river impacts. In- deed, continuing land pressures, rapid urban development and settlement of the impoverished in exposed low-lying ar- eas greatly influence flood risks, health and livelihoods. More than 40% of the world’s floods takes place in Asia, and have affected near a billion people 1999–2008, and causing an estimated 20–25% of all deaths associated with natural di- sasters. In 2009, more than 56 million people were severely impacted by floods and over 1 million people by the smaller, but often dangerous flash floods.
Down-river regions also comprise critical food produc- tion centres. The combined actions of changes in timing and intensity in monsoons, other precipitation and land use will continue to often over-rule changes in glacial melt for downstream population centres, and provide major im- pacts not only on drought and flood risk and subsequent human exposure, but also on food security. This is particu- larly true for the Hindu-Kush Himalayas, Central Asia and parts of the Andes where large populations depend upon the mountains and predictable climate for food production and livelihoods.
Irrigation systems and pipelines from major rivers should also be developed, maintained and improved, also because deforestation frequently increases the rate and speed of the flow of water into major channels. Necessary training, revival of old knowledge and implementation of new greener irriga- tion technology will require funds and programmes directed towards adaptation. Storing excess water, adapting to floods
and developing and implementing more effective irrigation systems will become crucial to future food security in regions dependent upon mountains for their water supply.
Glacier melt inputs to rivers can affect the ecosystems in a number of ways, including habitat changes such as stream temperatures, sediment concentrations, water chemistry and nutrient availability, or through the release of pollutants de- posited and stored in the glaciers over many years, impacting fish and other organisms in glacier-fed systems.
Adaptation, mitigation and development should be seen as a continuum. Livelihood diversification will require signifi- cant policy and institutional support, and strategies must be sensitive to cultural contexts, norms and differences. Good governance and planning need to take climate change into account in order for infrastructure development to support water security.
Recommendations:
• Strengthen glacial research and trans-national collabora- tion with emphasis on mass calculation, monitoring and particularly the effects of glacial recession on water re- sources, biodiversity and availability downstream.
• Improve modeling on precipitation patterns and effects on water availability in particular in mountain regions of Asia and Latin America.
• Prioritize support to and development of adaptation to wa- ter-related disasters.
• Prioritize programmes and support to development and implementation of adaptation strategies for too much and too little water including strengthening the role of women.
• Urgently support the implementation and improvement of both small and large-scale water capture and storage systems and improve efficiency of current irrigation systems through the use of green technology and agricultural knowledge.
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