Abstract: Global warming leads to increased melting of snow and glaciers and thawing of permafrost, and thus affects the overall water balance. The mountain cryosphere is already changing and will continue to change considerably towards the end of this century, depending on emission pathways.
These changes will dramatically alter the resource bases of the communities and societies depending on water availability from glaciers, snow and permafrost. In the predominantly dry climate conditions of Central Asia, the role of the cryosphere is particularly important for water resources.