Chapter 4: Effects of a changing cryosphere on biodiversity and ecosystem services, and response options in the Hindu Kush Himalaya

Chapter 4 of the Water, ice, society, and ecosystems in the HKH (HI-WISE) assessment report assesses the scientific literature on the impacts of the changing cryosphere on biodiversity and ecosystem services in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) as well as response options.

The cryosphere supports a region of vast, interconnected biodiversity, with 40% of the HKH under environmental protection.  As the cryosphere changes, serious impacts on biodiversity at the ecosystem, genetic, and species levels mean an overwhelming majority of animal and plant species are negatively affected, sometimes to extinction.

Even if global warming is limited to 1.5°C, the HKH is likely to face serious impacts in terms of species loss, ecosystem structure, and productivity, resulting in lowered ecosystem services flows.