There are serious concerns of rise in temperatures over snowy and glacierized Himalayan region that may eventually affect future river flows of Indus river system.It is therefore necessary to predict snow and glacier ...There are serious concerns of rise in temperatures over snowy and glacierized Himalayan region that may eventually affect future river flows of Indus river system.It is therefore necessary to predict snow and glacier melt runoff to manage future water resource of Upper Indus Basin(UIB).The snowmelt runoff model(SRM)coupled with MODIS remote sensing data was employed in this study to predict daily discharges of Gilgit River in the Karakoram Range.The SRM was calibrated successfully and then simulation was made over four years i.e.2007,2008,2009 and 2010 achieving coefficient of model efficiency of 0.96,0.86,0.9 and 0.94 respectively.The scenarios of precipitation and mean temperature developed from regional climate model PRECIS were used in SRM model to predict future flows of Gilgit River.The increase of 3 C in mean annual temperature by the end of 21 th century may result in increase of 35-40%in Gilgit River flows.The expected increase in the surface runoff from the snow and glacier melt demands better water conservation and management for irrigation and hydel-power generation in the Indus basin in future.展开更多
Watershed morphometric analysis of a basin is key to understand the hydrological processes. The Gilgit river basin is situated in the Hindu Kush and Karakoram Mountains of Pakistan. The provincial capital of Gilgit-Ba...Watershed morphometric analysis of a basin is key to understand the hydrological processes. The Gilgit river basin is situated in the Hindu Kush and Karakoram Mountains of Pakistan. The provincial capital of Gilgit-Baltistan is located in the lower part of the basin. Morphometric evaluation of the Gilgit river basin was carried out to study its drainage characteristics and overall water resource potential. The entire Gilgit river basin has been divided into six sub-basins to calculate and analyze the selected morphometric parameters. Morphometric parameters have been classified into linear, aerial and relief aspect. Geographic Information System (GIS) provides a viable method to extract and evaluate the characteristic of hydrological response behaviour of the basin. In the present study the utilization of remote sensing data such as Thermal Topography Mission and Global Elevation Model (ASTER-GDEM), Sentinel 2A image, coupled with geological and field data into GIS environment for morphometric analysis of Gilgit Basin. The drainage area of the basin is 13,538 km2 and shows a dendritic drainage pattern for all sub-basins. The analysis reveals that drainage network of entire Gilgit river basin constitutes a 7th order basin. Out of six sub-basins, Gilgit-Gahkuch (B1), Ishkoman (B2) and Phunder (B4) are 6th order sub-basins. Yasin (B3) and Gupis (B5) are 5th order sub-basins, while Bagrot (B6) is a 4th order sub-basin. The Gilgit Basin drainage density value is 0.50 km/km2, which indicates a well-drained basin. Morphometric parameters like stream number, order, length, bifurcation ratio, drainage density, stream frequency, elongation ratio, circularity ratio, form factor, relief and relative relief, slope, length of overland flow, ruggedness number, and hypsometric integral are calculated. The results indicate that the entire drainage basin area reflects youthful to early mature stage of the fluvial geomorphic cycle and high potential of stream discharge which is dominated by high relief, rainfall, glacier and snow fed order streams.展开更多
The Gilgit-Baltistan Province and Azad Kashmir regions are rich in mineral and natural resources. The gemstones, marbles and many other economic mineralizations are significant but these regions are relatively far fro...The Gilgit-Baltistan Province and Azad Kashmir regions are rich in mineral and natural resources. The gemstones, marbles and many other economic mineralizations are significant but these regions are relatively far from central and southern commercial areas of Pakistan. The gemstones of Gilgit-Baltistan Province are famous worldwide especially from Hunza and Skardu regions. The Azad Kashmir region also has a share of gemstone especially from the upper approaches of Neelam valley and marble, construction materials, coal, clays and other minerals found from different areas of Azad Kashmir. There is no common previous availability of comprehensive papers providing mineral data of Gilgit-Baltistan Province and Azad Kashmir regions. This report provides a quick view of mineral resources occurred in the Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir regions.展开更多
Marble is widely used in construction industry mainly in interior & exterior design of buildings due to its resilient physical, chemical & mechanical properties. The diverse geology of Gilgit Baltistan has nat...Marble is widely used in construction industry mainly in interior & exterior design of buildings due to its resilient physical, chemical & mechanical properties. The diverse geology of Gilgit Baltistan has naturally endowed this region with different varieties of marble deposits. These marble deposits need proper characterization to ensure their proper use in the construction industry. This research aims to conduct a preliminary study for the characterization of the Nasir Abad Hunza marble deposit. Samples from said deposit were subjected to different tests to study its chemical, physical and mechanical properties. Results of XRF analysis reveal that the deposit under study is dolomitic. The comparison of different physical properties of deposits with standard values confirms its originality. However, high variation in the strength of core samples was observed, which could result from incomplete crystallization by metamorphism. This variation in the strength of samples suggests strength-based definitions of deposit domains to propose the use of each domain separately.展开更多
Soil integrity and fertility is on high risk due to water erosion, it’s not only disturbed cropping practices but also damages the ecosystem of the land. In this study, the combination of GIS and RUSLE modeling are u...Soil integrity and fertility is on high risk due to water erosion, it’s not only disturbed cropping practices but also damages the ecosystem of the land. In this study, the combination of GIS and RUSLE modeling are used to compute average yearly soil erosion rate in Baltistan Division of Gilgit. R, K, LS C & P Factors were computed to determine average Annual Soil Loss (ASL) which came out to be 6.68 tons/hectare/year. Higher altitudes, which are primarily covered in glaciers and watersheds, depicts maximum value of ASL when compared with lower altitude. Study area may witness a rise in soil loss due to soil texture and change in rain pattern (due to climate change). The maps developed during the study can also be referred to develop planning of land management strategy against soil erosion.展开更多
As part of the Sino-Pak trans-boundary cooperation for conservation and sustainable development in Pamir border region, World Wild Fund （WWF）-Pakistan conducted a preliminary social, economic and ecological survey i...As part of the Sino-Pak trans-boundary cooperation for conservation and sustainable development in Pamir border region, World Wild Fund （WWF）-Pakistan conducted a preliminary social, economic and ecological survey in the ShimshaI-Pamir Lakes area in July 2009. The purpose of the study was to explore potentials and opportunities for future collaborative conservation of some species, habitats and high altitude ecosystems in the border region between China and Pakistan. The two-week herpetological study in the Shimshal Pamir area of Khunjerab National Park （KNP） along Pakistan-China border was an integral part of the survey, conducted exclu- sively to document reptilian fauna with a special emphasis on investigating their occurrence, distribution and status in the study area. Field investigations were performed during daytime when it was hot enough and reptiles were active, basking or feeding. A total of 15 specimens belonging to four species of the Agamidae family were captured by striking stones and beating bushes with sticks. Collected specimens were preserved using 10% formalin solution, tagged with field information and stored in Zoological Survey Department, Karachi for future reference. Laboratory investigations were carried out for pholidosic counts and morphometric measurements. A detailed review of relevant literature, habitat characteristics and laboratory investigations revealed the occurrence of Laudakia himalayana, L. pakistanica, L. tuberculata and L. badakhshana at 4,082 m, 4,172 m, 4,005 m and 4,240 m asl, respectively, which are much higher altitudes as compared to the previously reported heights of 3,353 m, 3,200 m, 2,500 m and 2,400 m asl. The terrain offers a variety of ecological barriers, in the form of fast and freezing running waters and massive glaciers with peculiar harsh climatic conditions prevailing for nine months of the year, which restricts species migration and thus increases endemism. Although one of the four species recorded from the study area, i.e.L, pakistanica is endemic to Pakistan, L. tuberculata and L. badakhshana are new records from Shimshal, Pakistan, so a detailed investigation is suggested for further herpetological records from the study area.展开更多
The role of the leaves of Robinia pseudoacacia L., which is widely distributed in the arid lands, on improving soil physical and chemical properties was analyzed at various incubation periods. The incubated soils adde...The role of the leaves of Robinia pseudoacacia L., which is widely distributed in the arid lands, on improving soil physical and chemical properties was analyzed at various incubation periods. The incubated soils added with 0, 25, 50 and 75 g Robinia pseudoacacia leaves were tested after consecutive incubation intervals of 6, 8 and 10 months and the different soil parameters were measured. The results showed the increases in organic matter (OM), extractable K, cation exchange capacity (CEC), aggregate stability and water holding capacity, but the decreases in pH value and bulk density after 6 months’ incubation. The gradual decrease in change rates of soil properties indicated less microbial population and organic residual mineralization under acidic conditions, which were resulted from fast decomposition of leaves after the first 6 months incubation. The increases in soil organic matter content, extractable K, CEC, aggregate stability and water holding capacity and the decreases in soil pH and bulk density provide favorable conditions for crop’s growth.展开更多
文摘There are serious concerns of rise in temperatures over snowy and glacierized Himalayan region that may eventually affect future river flows of Indus river system.It is therefore necessary to predict snow and glacier melt runoff to manage future water resource of Upper Indus Basin(UIB).The snowmelt runoff model(SRM)coupled with MODIS remote sensing data was employed in this study to predict daily discharges of Gilgit River in the Karakoram Range.The SRM was calibrated successfully and then simulation was made over four years i.e.2007,2008,2009 and 2010 achieving coefficient of model efficiency of 0.96,0.86,0.9 and 0.94 respectively.The scenarios of precipitation and mean temperature developed from regional climate model PRECIS were used in SRM model to predict future flows of Gilgit River.The increase of 3 C in mean annual temperature by the end of 21 th century may result in increase of 35-40%in Gilgit River flows.The expected increase in the surface runoff from the snow and glacier melt demands better water conservation and management for irrigation and hydel-power generation in the Indus basin in future.
文摘Watershed morphometric analysis of a basin is key to understand the hydrological processes. The Gilgit river basin is situated in the Hindu Kush and Karakoram Mountains of Pakistan. The provincial capital of Gilgit-Baltistan is located in the lower part of the basin. Morphometric evaluation of the Gilgit river basin was carried out to study its drainage characteristics and overall water resource potential. The entire Gilgit river basin has been divided into six sub-basins to calculate and analyze the selected morphometric parameters. Morphometric parameters have been classified into linear, aerial and relief aspect. Geographic Information System (GIS) provides a viable method to extract and evaluate the characteristic of hydrological response behaviour of the basin. In the present study the utilization of remote sensing data such as Thermal Topography Mission and Global Elevation Model (ASTER-GDEM), Sentinel 2A image, coupled with geological and field data into GIS environment for morphometric analysis of Gilgit Basin. The drainage area of the basin is 13,538 km2 and shows a dendritic drainage pattern for all sub-basins. The analysis reveals that drainage network of entire Gilgit river basin constitutes a 7th order basin. Out of six sub-basins, Gilgit-Gahkuch (B1), Ishkoman (B2) and Phunder (B4) are 6th order sub-basins. Yasin (B3) and Gupis (B5) are 5th order sub-basins, while Bagrot (B6) is a 4th order sub-basin. The Gilgit Basin drainage density value is 0.50 km/km2, which indicates a well-drained basin. Morphometric parameters like stream number, order, length, bifurcation ratio, drainage density, stream frequency, elongation ratio, circularity ratio, form factor, relief and relative relief, slope, length of overland flow, ruggedness number, and hypsometric integral are calculated. The results indicate that the entire drainage basin area reflects youthful to early mature stage of the fluvial geomorphic cycle and high potential of stream discharge which is dominated by high relief, rainfall, glacier and snow fed order streams.
文摘The Gilgit-Baltistan Province and Azad Kashmir regions are rich in mineral and natural resources. The gemstones, marbles and many other economic mineralizations are significant but these regions are relatively far from central and southern commercial areas of Pakistan. The gemstones of Gilgit-Baltistan Province are famous worldwide especially from Hunza and Skardu regions. The Azad Kashmir region also has a share of gemstone especially from the upper approaches of Neelam valley and marble, construction materials, coal, clays and other minerals found from different areas of Azad Kashmir. There is no common previous availability of comprehensive papers providing mineral data of Gilgit-Baltistan Province and Azad Kashmir regions. This report provides a quick view of mineral resources occurred in the Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir regions.
文摘Marble is widely used in construction industry mainly in interior & exterior design of buildings due to its resilient physical, chemical & mechanical properties. The diverse geology of Gilgit Baltistan has naturally endowed this region with different varieties of marble deposits. These marble deposits need proper characterization to ensure their proper use in the construction industry. This research aims to conduct a preliminary study for the characterization of the Nasir Abad Hunza marble deposit. Samples from said deposit were subjected to different tests to study its chemical, physical and mechanical properties. Results of XRF analysis reveal that the deposit under study is dolomitic. The comparison of different physical properties of deposits with standard values confirms its originality. However, high variation in the strength of core samples was observed, which could result from incomplete crystallization by metamorphism. This variation in the strength of samples suggests strength-based definitions of deposit domains to propose the use of each domain separately.
文摘Soil integrity and fertility is on high risk due to water erosion, it’s not only disturbed cropping practices but also damages the ecosystem of the land. In this study, the combination of GIS and RUSLE modeling are used to compute average yearly soil erosion rate in Baltistan Division of Gilgit. R, K, LS C & P Factors were computed to determine average Annual Soil Loss (ASL) which came out to be 6.68 tons/hectare/year. Higher altitudes, which are primarily covered in glaciers and watersheds, depicts maximum value of ASL when compared with lower altitude. Study area may witness a rise in soil loss due to soil texture and change in rain pattern (due to climate change). The maps developed during the study can also be referred to develop planning of land management strategy against soil erosion.
基金the WWF Netherlands for funding the study through Saving Wetlands Sky High programme
文摘As part of the Sino-Pak trans-boundary cooperation for conservation and sustainable development in Pamir border region, World Wild Fund （WWF）-Pakistan conducted a preliminary social, economic and ecological survey in the ShimshaI-Pamir Lakes area in July 2009. The purpose of the study was to explore potentials and opportunities for future collaborative conservation of some species, habitats and high altitude ecosystems in the border region between China and Pakistan. The two-week herpetological study in the Shimshal Pamir area of Khunjerab National Park （KNP） along Pakistan-China border was an integral part of the survey, conducted exclu- sively to document reptilian fauna with a special emphasis on investigating their occurrence, distribution and status in the study area. Field investigations were performed during daytime when it was hot enough and reptiles were active, basking or feeding. A total of 15 specimens belonging to four species of the Agamidae family were captured by striking stones and beating bushes with sticks. Collected specimens were preserved using 10% formalin solution, tagged with field information and stored in Zoological Survey Department, Karachi for future reference. Laboratory investigations were carried out for pholidosic counts and morphometric measurements. A detailed review of relevant literature, habitat characteristics and laboratory investigations revealed the occurrence of Laudakia himalayana, L. pakistanica, L. tuberculata and L. badakhshana at 4,082 m, 4,172 m, 4,005 m and 4,240 m asl, respectively, which are much higher altitudes as compared to the previously reported heights of 3,353 m, 3,200 m, 2,500 m and 2,400 m asl. The terrain offers a variety of ecological barriers, in the form of fast and freezing running waters and massive glaciers with peculiar harsh climatic conditions prevailing for nine months of the year, which restricts species migration and thus increases endemism. Although one of the four species recorded from the study area, i.e.L, pakistanica is endemic to Pakistan, L. tuberculata and L. badakhshana are new records from Shimshal, Pakistan, so a detailed investigation is suggested for further herpetological records from the study area.
文摘The role of the leaves of Robinia pseudoacacia L., which is widely distributed in the arid lands, on improving soil physical and chemical properties was analyzed at various incubation periods. The incubated soils added with 0, 25, 50 and 75 g Robinia pseudoacacia leaves were tested after consecutive incubation intervals of 6, 8 and 10 months and the different soil parameters were measured. The results showed the increases in organic matter (OM), extractable K, cation exchange capacity (CEC), aggregate stability and water holding capacity, but the decreases in pH value and bulk density after 6 months’ incubation. The gradual decrease in change rates of soil properties indicated less microbial population and organic residual mineralization under acidic conditions, which were resulted from fast decomposition of leaves after the first 6 months incubation. The increases in soil organic matter content, extractable K, CEC, aggregate stability and water holding capacity and the decreases in soil pH and bulk density provide favorable conditions for crop’s growth.
