**A Review on the Little Ice Age and Factors to Glacier Changes in the Tian Shan, Central Asia Changes in the Tian Shan, Central Asia**

**A Review on the Little Ice Age and Factors to Glacier** 

DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.70044

Yanan Li, Xiaoyu Lu and Yingkui Li Yanan Li, Xiaoyu Lu and Yingkui Li Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.70044

#### **Abstract**

[79] Stibal M, Tranter M. Laboratory investigation of inorganic carbon uptake by cryoconite debris from Werenskioldbreen, Svalbard. Journal of Geophysical Research. 2007;112:9;

[80] Taurisano A, Schuler TV, Hagen JO, Eiken T, Loe E, Melvold K, Kohler J. The distribution of snow accumulation across the Austfonna ice cap, Svalbard: Direct measurements and

[81] Kääb A. Glacier volume changes using ASTER satellite stereo and ICESat GLAS laser altimetry. A test study on edgeoya, eastern svalbard. In: Paper presented at IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS); Jul 23–27; Barcelona,

[82] Rolstad C, Norland R. Ground-based interferometric radar for velocity and calving-rate measurements of the tidewater glacier at Kronebreen, Svalbard. Annals of Glaciology.

[83] Sund M, Eiken T, Hagen JO, Kääb A. Svalbard surge dynamics derived from geometric

[84] Moholdt G, Hagen JO, Eiken T, Schuler TV. Geometric changes and mass balance of the Austfonna ice cap, Svalbard. The Cryosphere. 2010;4:21–34. DOI: 10.5194/tc-4-21-2010 [85] Schuler TV, Loe E, Taurisano A, Eiken T, Hagen JO, Kohler J. Calibrating a surface massbalance model for Austfonna ice cap, Svalbard. Annals of Glaciology. 2007;46(1):241–248

[86] Norheim G, Kjos-Hanssen B. Persistent chlorinated hydrocarbons and mercury in birds caught off the west coast of Spitsbergen. Environmental Pollution Series A. 1984;33

[87] Vieweg I, Hop H, Brey T, Huber S, Ambrose Jr WG, Locke VWL, Gabrielsen GW. Persistent organic pollutants in four bivalve species from Svalbard waters. Environmental

[88] Lehmann S, Gajek G, Chmiel S, Polkowska Ż. Do morphometric parameters and geological conditions determine chemistry of glacier surface ice? Spatial distribution of contaminants present in the surface ice of Spitsbergen glaciers (European Arctic). Environmental

Spain. IEEE-Instrumentation Electrical Electronics Engineers Inc; 2008

G04S33. DOI: 10.1029/2007JG000429

2009;50:47–54

36 Glacier Evolution in a Changing World

(2):143–152

Pollution. 2012;161:134–142

modelling. Polar Research. 2007;26(1):7–13

changes. Annals of Glaciology. 2009;50(52):50–60

Science and Pollution Research. 2016;23(23):23385–23405

Mountain glaciers are a reliable and unequivocal indicator of climate change due to their sensitive response to changes in temperature and precipitation. The importance of mountain glaciers is best reflected in regions with limited precipitation, such as arid and semi-arid central Asia. High concentration of glaciers and meltwater from the Tian Shan contribute considerably to the freshwater resource in Xinjiang (China), Kyrgyzstan and nearby countries. Documenting glacier distribution and research on glacier changes can provide insights and scientific support for water management in central Asia. As the most recent glacial event, the Little Ice Age (LIA, approximately AD 1300–1850) signifies the cold periods prior to the warming trend in the twentieth century. Here we present an overview of topics recently studied on the modern and LIA glaciers in the Tian Shan of the central Asia. With data sets of the Glacier Inventory of China and the presumed LIA glacial extents, we applied statistical models in a case study of the eastern Tian Shan to examine the impact of local topographic and geometric factors on glacier area changes. The findings of glacier size and elevation as key local factors are representative and consistent with other studies.

**Keywords:** glacier datasets, chronological dating, driving factors, random forest
