Energy exchanges between atmosphere and glacier surface control the net energy available for snow and ice melt. Based on the meteorological records in Urumqi River Glacier No.1 (URGN1) in the Chinese Tien Shan during the period of 2012–2015, an energy-mass balance model was run to assess the sensitivity of glacier mass balance to air temperature (T), precipitation (P), incoming shortwave radiation (S_in), relative humidity (RH), and wind speed (u) in the URGN1, respectively. The results showed that the glacier melting was mainly controlled by the net shortwave radiation. The glacier mass balance was very sensitivity to albedo for snow and the time scale determining how long the snow albedo approaches the albedo for firn after a snowfall. The net annual mass balance of URGN1 was decreased by 0.44 m w.e. when increased by 1 K in air temperature, while it was increased 0.30 m w.e. when decreased by 1 K. The net total mass balance increased by 0.55 m w.e. when increased precipitation by 10%, while it was decreased by 0.61 m w.e. when decreased precipitation by 10%. We also found that the change in glacier mass balance was non-linear when increased or decreased input condition of climate change. The sensitivity of mass balance to increase in S_in, u, and RH were at −0.015 m w.e.%⁻¹, −0.020 m w.e.%⁻¹, and −0.018 m w.e.%⁻¹, respectively, while they were at 0.012 m w.e.%⁻¹, 0.027 m w.e.%⁻¹, and 0.017 m w.e.%⁻¹ when decreasing in those conditions, respectively. In addition, the simulations of coupled perturbation for temperature and precipitation indicated that the precipitation needed to increase by 23% could justly compensate to the additional mass loss due to increase by 1 K in air temperature. We also found that the sensitivities of glacier mass balance in response to climate change were different in different mountain ranges, which were mainly resulted from the discrepancies in the ratio of snowfall to precipitation during the ablation season, the amount of melt energy during the ablation season, and precipitation seasonality in the different local regions.

The Yulong Snow Mountain (YSM) is a region of temperate glaciers in the southeast Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. The present study systematically assessed the glacier changes during the past several decades using ground-based and remotely sensed observations and referencing topographic maps. The images and maps revealed that the glaciers area in the YSM retreated by 64.02% from 1957 to 2017. The length of Baishui River Glacier No. 1 decreased by 12.5 m/year during this period, whereas the front elevation of this glacier increased by 10.83 m/year. The mean annual mass balance of this glacier was at − 0.42 metre water equivalent from 1957 to 2017, and its accumulative mass balance was − 27.45 metre water equivalent. The glacier retreats of glacier area, glacier front, and mass balance in the YSM primarily resulted from the increasing air temperature. These glacier retreats not only will have a negative impact on glacier tourism in the future, e.g., the retreat or disappearance of glaciers will reduce the attractiveness of mountainous scenic spots, but also will create new opportunities for the development of local tourism, e.g., “last chance” will simulate tourists’ curiosity. Hence, the findings of our present study help to understand the mechanism between accelerated ablation of temperate glaciers and climate change in southeast regions of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and provide references for local tourism administrations.

Glacier mass balance is a key idea in understanding the relationship between glaciers and climate. In this study, Landsat images, Shuttle Radar Topography Mission, and Advance Land Operation Satellite digital elevation models, and ground observation records for 2000–2010 and 2019–2020 were used to analyze a mass balance of the Baishui River Glacier No. 1 (BRG1) in Yulong Snow Mountain, southeastern Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. Both glaciological and geodetic methods were used to understand the spatial pattern of the mass balance. A mass balance contour line map of the glacier was created for the first time. From 2000 to 2010, the mean annual mass balance of the BRG1 was calculated to be -0.99 m w.e., -1.01 m w.e., and −1.18 m w.e. using the contour line, profile curve, and geodetic methods, respectively. In addition, the analysis revealed that strong melting of the glacier occurred from July 27 to 15 September 2019, with an averaged glacier mass balance of -1.75 m w.e. and a mean daily melting rate of 35 mm w.e. The annual mass balance was assessed to be −1.31 m w.e. during 2019/20 using the contour line method. In addition, the spatial patterns on the mass balance contour maps for 2000–2010 and the summer of 2019, and the climate change in this region were analyzed. The results indicate that the increased air temperature was the main cause of the accelerated glacial melting.