Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Risk analysis of snow disaster in the pastoral areas of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

  • Published:
Journal of Geographical Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Snow disaster is one of the top ten natural disasters worldwide, and the most severe natural disaster to affect the pastoral areas of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Based on the hazard harmfulness data collected from historical records and data collected from entities affected by this hazard in 2010, a comprehensive analysis of the 18 indexes of snow disaster on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau was conducted, encompassing the hazard harmfulness, the amount of physical exposure the hazard-bearing entities face, the sensitivity to the hazard, and the capacity to respond to the disaster. The analysis indicates that: (1) areas at high-risk of snow disaster on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau are located in certain areas of the counties of Yecheng and Pishan in the Xinjiang region; (2) areas at medium-risk of snow disaster are found between the Gangdise Mountains and the Himalayas in the central-western part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and the southeastern part of the southern Qinghai Plateau; (3) the risk of snow disaster is generally low throughout the large area to the south of 30°N and the region on the border of the eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Overall, the risk of snow disaster in high-altitude areas of the central Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is higher than that at the edge of the plateau.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Birkmann J et al., 2006. Measuring Vulnerability to Natural Hazards: Towards Disaster Resilient Societies. Tokyo: UNU Press, 6–45.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen Lieting, Yan Zhixin, 1978. Influence of snow cover over the Tibetan Plateau in winter and spring on general circulation and precipitation in flood period of southern China. In: Hydrometeorological Forecast Discussion Corpus (First Set). Beijing: Water Resources and Electric Power Press, 185–194. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen Qianjin, Gao Bo, Li Weijing et al., 2000. Studies on relationships among snow cover winter over the Tibetan Plateau and droughts/floods during Meiyu season in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River as well as atmosphere/ocean. Acta Meteorologica Sinica, 58(5): 582–595. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen Yanqing, Yang Jianyu, Su Wei et al., 2010. Risk assessment of snow disaster on county scale. Transactions of the CSAE, 26(Suppl.2): 307–311. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • China’s County (city) Socio-economic Statistical Yearbook Editorial Committee, 2010. China’s County (city) Socio-economic Statistical Yearbook (2010). Beijing: China Statistics Press. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dong Anxiang, Wen Kegang, 2005. Chinese Meteorological Disasters Ceremony (Gansu Volume). Beijing: China Meteorological Press, 3–450. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dong Wenjie, Wei Zhigang, Fan Lijun, 2001. Climatic character analyses of snow disasters in East Qinghai-Xizang Plateau livestock farm. Plateau Meteorology, 20(4): 402–406. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Fu Yang, Xiao Jianshe, Xiao Ruixiang et al., 2010. Risk assessment model of snow disaster in Qinghai Province based on GIS. Transactions of the CSAE, 26(Supp.1): 197–205. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gansu Development Yearbook Editorial Committee, 2011. Gansu Development Yearbook (2011). Beijing: China Statistics Press. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gao Rong, Wei Zhigang, Dong Wenjie et al., 2003. Variation of the snow and frozen soil over Qinghai-Xizang Plateau in the late twentieth century and their relations to climatic change. Plateau Meteorology, 22(2): 191–196. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ge Quansheng, Zou Min, Zheng Jingyun et al., 2008. Integrated Assessment of Natural Disaster Risks in China. Beijing: Science Press, 156–325. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Geriving S, 2006a. Multi-risk assessment of Europe’s regions. In: Birkmann J (ed). Measuring Vulnerability to Hazards of National Origin. Tokyo: UNU Press, 210–226.

    Google Scholar 

  • Greiving S, 2006b. Integrated risk assessment of multi-hazards: A new methodology. In: Schmidt-Thomé P (ed.). Natural and technological hazards and risks affecting the spatial development of European regions. Geological Survey of Finland, Special Paper, 42: 75–82.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hao Lu, Wang Jingai, Man Su’er et al., 2002. Spatio-temporal change of snow disaster and analysis of vulnerability of animal husbandry in China. Journal of Natural Disasters, 11(4): 43–48. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • He Yongqing, Zhou Bingrong, Zhang Haijing et al., 2010. Assessment model on risk degree of snow disaster and its risk division in Qinghai Plateau. Pratacultural Science, 27(11): 37–42. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lanzhou Central Meteorological Observatory, 2003. Gansu Province Climate Bulletin. Gansu Meteorology, 14(3): 23–38. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Li Hongmei, Li Lin, Gao Ge et al., 2013. Snow disaster in Qinghai Plateau: Risk division and countermeasure. Journal of Glaciology and Geocryology, 35(3): 656–661. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Li Peiji, 1993. The dynamic characteristic of snow cover in western China. Acta Geographica Sinica, 48(6): 503–515. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu Guangxuan, Wen Kegang, 2008. Chinese Meteorological Disasters Ceremony (Tibet Volume). Beijing: China Meteorological Press, 10–217. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu Jianhua, Wen Kegang, 2006. Chinese Meteorological Disasters Ceremony (Yunnan Volume). Beijing: China Meteorological Press, 1–540. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu Xingyuan, Liang Tiangang, Guo Zhenggang et al., 2008. Early warning and risk assessment of snow disaster in pastoral area of northern Xinjiang. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology, 19(1): 133–138. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ma Zongjin, Fang Weiqing, Gao Wenxue et al., 1992. Research on Major Issues of Disasters Reduction in China. Beijing: Seismological Press, 78–176. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Natural Disasters in Qinghai Compilation Committee, 2003. Natural Disasters in Qinghai. Xining: Qinghai People’s Press, 58–478. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Niu Zhiren, 1990. Some problems about disaster system. Journal of Catastrophology, 5(3): 1–5. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Qinghai Province Climatic Data Center, 2006. Qinghai Province climate bulletin. Qinghai Meteorology, 16(3): 56–60. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Qinghai Statistical Yearbook Editorial Committee, 2011. Qinghai Statistical Yearbook (2011). Beijing: China Statistics Press. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sa Chula, Liu Guixiang, Bao Gang et al., 2013. Spatial-temporal changes of snow cover in Xinjiang in recent 10 years. Science of Surveying and Mapping, 38(1): 72–74. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Shi Yugang, Wen Kegang, 2006. Chinese Meteorological Disasters Ceremony (Xinjiang Volume). Beijing: China Meteorological Press, 5–340. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sichuan Province Meteorological Observatory, 2004. Sichuan Province climate bulletin. Sichuan Meteorology, 24(1): 60–63. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sichuan Statistical Yearbook Editorial Committee, 2011. Sichuan Statistical Yearbook (2011). Beijing: China Statistics Press. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Stocker T F, Qin D, Plattner G-K et al., 2013. Climate Change 2013: The Physical Science Basis Working Group I Contribution to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (Summary for Policymakers). Printed October 2013 by the IPCC, Switzerland.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tachiiri K, Shinoda M, Klinkenberg B et al., 2008. Assessing Mongolian snow disaster risk using livestock and satellite data. Journal of Arid Environments, 72(12): 2251–2263.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tibet Statistical Yearbook Editorial Committee, 2011. Tibet Statistical Yearbook (2011). Beijing: China Statistics Press. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • United Nations, Department of Humanitarian Affairs (UNDHA), 1991. Mitigating Natural Disasters: Phenomena, Effects and Options: A Manual for Policy Makers and Planners. New York: United Nations, 1–164.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang Xin, Wen Kegang, 2007. Chinese Meteorological Disasters Ceremony (Qinghai Volume). Beijing: China Meteorological Press 256. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang Yetang, He Yong, Hou Shugui, 2007. Analysis of the temporal and spatial variations of snow cover over the Tibetan Plateau based on MODIS. Journal of Glaciology and Geocryology, 29(6): 855–861. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang Zengyan, Che Tao, 2012. Spatiotemporal distribution of snow cover in arid regions in China. Arid Zone Research, 29(3): 464–471. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wei Zhigang, 2001. Persistence of the snow anomalies on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Journal of Glaciology and Geocryology, 23(3): 225–230. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wei Zhigang, Huang Ronghui, Chen Wen et al., 2002. Spatial distributions and interdecadal variations of the snow at the Tibetan Plateau weather stations. Chinese Journal of Atmospheric Sciences, 26(4): 496–508. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wei Zhigang, Huang Ronghui, Chen Wen, 2005. The causes of the interannual variation of snow cover over the Tibetan Plateau. Journal of Glaciology and Geocryology, 27(4): 491–497. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wei Zhigang, Luo Siwei, Dong Wenjie et al., 1998. Snow cover data on Qinghai-Xizang Plateau and its correlation with summer rainfall in China. Quarterly Journal of Applied Meteorology, 9(Suppl.): 39–46. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wei Zhigang, Lv Shihua, 1995. Distribution of snow cover on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau and its influence on surface albedo. Plateau Meteorology, 14(2): 67–73. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wohl E E, 2000. Inland Flood Hazards. Cambridge University Press, 1–10.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Wu Jidong, Li Ning, Yang Huijuan et al., 2008. Risk evaluation of heavy snow disasters using BP artificial neural network: The case of Xilingol in Inner Mongolia. Stochastic Environmental Research and Risk Assessment, 22: 719–725.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xinjiang Autonomous Region Climate Center, 2011. Xinjiang climate bulletin and impact assessment. Desert and Oasis Meteorology, 11(4): 9–11. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Xinjiang Statistical Yearbook Editorial Committee, 2011. Xinjiang Statistical Yearbook (2011). Beijing: China Statistics Press, 2011. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang Xiuqun, Zhang Linna, 2001. An investigation of temporal and spatial variations of 1988–1998 snow cover over the Northern Hemisphere. Chinese Journal of Atmospheric Sciences, 25(6): 757–766. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yunnan Province Climate Center, 2010. Yunnan Province Climate Bulletin. Yunnan Province Climate Center, 1–17. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yunnan Statistical Yearbook Editorial Committee, 2011. Yunnan Statistical Yearbook (2011). Beijing: China Statistics Press, (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhan Zhaoyu, Wen Kegang, 2006. Chinese Meteorological Disasters Ceremony (Sichuan Volume). Beijing: China Meteorological Press, 1–602. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Guosheng, Fu Yang, Yan Liangdong et al., 2009. Study on warning indicator system of snow disaster and risk management in headwaters region. Pratacultural Science, 26(5): 144–150. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Yili, Li Bingyuan, Zheng Du, 2002. A discussion on the boundary and area of the Tibetan Plateau in China. Geographical Research, 21(1): 1–8. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhao Zhilong, Zhang Yili, Liu Fenggui et al., 2013. Drought disaster risk of Tibetan Plateau. Journal of Mountain Science, 31(6): 672–684.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Life and Geographic Science, Qinghai Normal University, Xining, 810008, China

    Fenggui Liu, Xufeng Mao, Yili Zhang, Qiong Chen, Pei Liu & Zhilong Zhao

  2. Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, CAS, Beijing, 100101, China

    Fenggui Liu & Zhilong Zhao

Authors
  1. Fenggui Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Xufeng Mao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Yili Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Qiong Chen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Pei Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Zhilong Zhao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yili Zhang.

Additional information

Foundation: National Basic Research Program of China, No.2010CB951704; National Natural Science Foundation of China, No.40761003, No.41271123

Author: Liu Fenggui (1966–), PhD and Professor, specialized in regional geography related to the Tibetan Plateau.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Liu, F., Mao, X., Zhang, Y. et al. Risk analysis of snow disaster in the pastoral areas of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. J. Geogr. Sci. 24, 411–426 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11442-014-1097-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11442-014-1097-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation