Abstract
Glaciers are among the coldest ecosystems that support psychrophilic taxa, and also act as water sources that shape downstream ecosystems. Tropical glaciers have gained special attention due to their unusual geography and rapid melting, which has major biological, economical and cultural consequences. These glaciers are located between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, and within the influence of the Intertropical Convergence Zone. Such “cold islands” in a tropical climate, which are rapidly losing ice volume and surface area, seem to be a forgotten habitat for unique taxa and ecological communities. According to rules of the IUCN ecosystems red list, tropical glaciers should be classified as critically endangered. The consequences of losing these fragile ecosystems are dire, in the context of natural and urban systems.
| Original language | American English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Imperiled |
| Subtitle of host publication | The Encyclopedia of Conservation: Volume 1-3 |
| Publisher | Elsevier |
| Pages | 559-563 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Volume | 1-3 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9780128211397 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 1 2022 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Agricultural and Biological Sciences
- General Environmental Science
Keywords
- African glaciers
- Andes
- Biodiversity
- Cold-adapted taxa
- Cryoconite
- Disappearing ecosystems
- Endangered species
- Equatorial glaciers
- Mountain streams
- Psychrophiles
- Tropical economy
- Tropical glaciers