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82-607: Mt Harmukh (originally "Haramukuta") is a mountain with a peak elevation of 5,142 metres (16,870 ft), in Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir in India . Harmukh is part of the Himalayas Range and is located between Sind River in the south and Kishanganga River in the north, rising above Gangabal Lake in the vicinity of Kashmir valley . It is mostly climbed from the northwestern side of Arin, via Kudara, Bandipore . Harmukh

164-405: A "safe operational state". Alkalinity can be defined as the acid neutralizing capability of a body of water. Alkalinity in natural waters is largely due to bicarbonate , the strong conjugate base of the weak carbonic acid, that is the product of rock weathering. Bicarbonate has the ability to act as an acid or a base in water, making it a buffer to resist change from acidic or basic inputs into

246-480: A 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) track upslope. Shallabugh Wetland, situated in the Shallabugh village of Kashmir valley, is a haven of natural beauty and ecological significance. It was declared as a Ramsar Site recently. Spanning across acres of marshy terrain, this wetland plays a crucial role in maintaining environmental equilibrium. It serves as a vital habitat for numerous species of migratory birds , offering them

328-525: A body of water. Alkalinity is measured in the unit μeq L which is determined by the concentration of an ion per liter of water multiplied by the charge of the ion or by titration . Alpine lakes have been well studied in regard to acidification since the 1980s largely because of the seasonal patterns of alkalinity and pH changes that they naturally exhibit from precipitation and snowmelt. These lakes experience seasonally low alkalinity (and thus low pH), making them highly susceptible to acid precipitation as

410-680: A bright blue or brown color. The turbidity of alpine lakes plays a significant role in determining light availability for primary productivity and is heavily dependent on each lake's unique watershed. Circulation in alpine lakes can be caused by wind, river inflows, density currents , convection , and basin-scale waves. Steep topography characteristic of alpine lakes can partially shield them from wind generated by regional weather patterns. Therefore, smaller scale wind patterns generated by local topography, such as diurnal mountain breeze and katabatic wind , can be important in forcing circulation in alpine lakes. Wind patterns which vary spatially over

492-518: A deep layer of the lake never mixes with surface water) exist. Lake Cadagno , located in the Swiss Alps, is meromictic due to natural springs which constantly feed the bottom of the lake with dense, saline water. Other alpine lakes, such as Traunsee in Austria, have become meromictic due to salinization from anthropogenic activities such as mining. Recent studies suggest that climate change may impact

574-400: A distinction between clear alpine lakes and glacier-fed alpine lakes (lakes with inflow from melting glaciers). Clear alpine lakes have low concentrations of suspended sediment and turbidity which can be caused by a lack of erosion in the watershed. Glacier-fed lakes have much higher suspended sediment concentrations and turbidity due to inflow of glacial flour , resulting in opaqueness and

656-430: A glacier scours and depresses the bedrock as it moves downhill, and when the glacier retreats, the depressions are filled with glacier meltwater and run-off. These lakes are usually quite deep for this reason and some lakes that are several hundred meters deep may be caused by a process called overdeepening . In mountain valleys where glacier movement has formed circular depressions, cirque lakes (or tarns) may form when

738-453: A hermit tried to reach the summit of Harmukh to see Shiva face to face. For twelve long years, he tried to scale the summit but failed until one day he saw a Gujar descending the summit. When the Gujar approached him, the hermit enquired as to what he had seen there. The Gujar said he had been searching for a stray goat, and that while searching he saw a couple milking a cow and drinking the milk from

820-407: A human skull. The couple had offered him some milk, which he refused to drink; when they departed they rubbed a little of the milk on his forehead. When the Gujar indicated the spot where the milk was rubbed, the hermit was extremely joyful and rushed to lick his forehead. This pilgrimage takes place every year on the eve of Ganga Ashtami. The yatris begin their yatra from Naranag . Harmukh lies in

902-560: A large seasonal cycle due to precipitation falling as snow and low glacier melt over the watershed in the winter contrasted with rainfall and increased glacier melt in summer. Alpine lakes are often situated in mountainous regions near or above the treeline which leads to steep watersheds with underdeveloped soil and sparse vegetation. A combination of cold climate over alpine watersheds, shading from steep topography, and low nutrient concentrations in runoff make alpine lakes predominantly oligotrophic . Different watershed characteristics create

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984-414: A number of panchayats . Ganderbal District has 2 assembly constituencies: Kangan and Ganderbal. Languages of Ganderbal district (2011) At the time of the 2011 census, 68.92% of the population spoke Kashmiri , 20.21% Gojri , 3.49% Pashto , 2.61% Pahari and 1.31% Hindi as their first language. Balti and Shina are also spoken by small populations in the high mountains. The Ganderbal district

1066-565: A pH less than 5.3 was characterized as having reached severe acidification. This analysis was repeated on 107 alpine lakes in the Central Alps with bedrock of silicic and ultrabasic rocks. These lakes had an alkalinity range from 155 to -23 microequiavlents per liter, suggesting how sensitive alpine lakes with similar bedrock might be to acidic rain. The Cascade Mountain Range extends from Northern California through Oregon and Washington. This region

1148-424: A range from 7.93–4.80 with 21% of the lakes having a pH below 6.00. The pH in this region was also found to be independent of altitude. A similar analysis was done on 207 lakes, resulting in an alkalinity range from -23 to 1372 μeq L and an average of 145 μeq L . The pH was also determined for these lakes, ranging from 4.6 to 9.2. Alpine lakes with a pH less than 6.0 had shown acidic effects on micro-organisms and

1230-446: A result of atmospheric pollutants . The water chemistry of alpine lakes is dominated by atmospheric deposition (transport of particles between the atmosphere) and catchment processes (drainage of precipitation). The weather patterns of alpine lakes include large periods of snowmelt which has extended contact with soil and rock resulting in increased alkalinity. Weathering of rocks that are calcareous or carbonate based ( limestone ) are

1312-542: A seasonal refuge during their journeys. The wetland's diverse flora and fauna contribute to the rich biodiversity of the region. The villages of Ganderbal district include: The colleges and universities located in the District of Ganderbal include: Alpine lake Alpine lakes are some of the most abundant types of lakes on Earth. In the Swiss Alps alone, there are nearly 1,000 alpine lakes, most of which formed after

1394-443: A significant role in determining vertical distribution of heat, dissolved chemicals, and biological communities. Most alpine lakes exist in temperate or cold climates characteristic of their high elevation, leading to a dimictic mixing regime. Dimictic lakes fully mix twice a year between periods of vertical stratification in the summer and winter. Summer stratification is caused by heating of surface waters, and winter stratification

1476-578: A steep path through the hill-side settlements and fields of Lar and Chount Waliwar before the 'Marg' opens out across the mountain side giving views of the Sindh Valley far below in one direction and the Valley of Kashmir in the other. Harmukh (also known as Mount Haramukh or Harmukh mountain) is a mountain with a peak elevation of 16,890 ft (5,148 metres), in Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir . Harmukh

1558-607: A stocking event between 1884 and 1941 of 1.8 million salmonids, mainly Rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss ) and kokanee salmon ( O. nerka ). Other species introduced included brown trout ( Salmo trutta ), coho salmon ( O. kisutch ), cutthroat trout ( O. clarkii ), and steelhead salmon ( O. mykiss ). Introduced fish impact the limnetic and benthic communities, as they are the primary prey of non-native fish. Salamanders and newts found at Crater Lake also experienced encroachment on their native habitats and have been reduced or eliminated in numbers. These amphibians were also found in

1640-400: A unique diversity of invertebrates that are highly adapted to the colder and generally harsher conditions of these environments compared to lakes at lower altitudes. A few dominating species have adapted to the oligotrophic conditions and intense UV radiation, with chironomidae and oligochaeta comprising almost 70% of the community in two well-studied alpine lakes in northern Italy, and also

1722-412: Is 12 kilometres far from the central hub (beehama) of district Ganderbal, towards the east. Srinagar-Leh National Highway (NH 1D) passes right through the middle of this village. This village falls under the jurisdiction of tehsil Kangan. The Prang garden used to be the picnic spot in 1990's before army came and established the base camp there. However, the army camp was later evacuated from the garden in

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1804-500: Is a tourist destination known for its scenery and wildlife. Spanning 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) long and 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) wide. It is located in the Jhelum valley, north of Srinagar city. Named after Lake Manasarovar . it is encircled by three villages: Jarokbal, Kondabal and Ganderbal with a depth of 13 m or 43 ft one of the deepest lakes in the Kashmir valley. The lake

1886-473: Is an alpine meadow in the Lar tehsil . In summer it is a tourist destination for trekking and camping. Sir Aurel Stein was the first person to explore the place, pitching his camp in the summer of 1895. It is hidden in the mountains to the north of Srinagar at the foot of Haramukh Peaks about 25 kilometers from Srinagar via the Ganderbal road towards Leh. From the road it is accessed via 5 kilometer trek up

1968-400: Is an efficient means for mixing in lakes and may play a significant role in homogenizing the water column between periods of stratification. Basin-scale waves, such as internal waves and seiches , can also drive circulation in alpine lakes. Internal seiches in an alpine lake have been observed with attendant velocities on the order of a few centimeters per second. Alpine lakes are home to

2050-527: Is caused by cooling of surface waters below the freshwater temperature of maximum density (approximately 4 °C (39 °F)). Seasonal ice cover reinforces the dimictic stratification cycle of alpine lakes by insulating the lake from wind and warm air in the spring when stratification is generally weaker. Some shallow alpine lakes can become fully mixed multiple times per year through episodic wind or cold inflow events and are therefore considered cold polymictic . A number of meromictic alpine lakes (in which

2132-604: Is composed of sedimentary and volcanic rocks, has heavy seasonal precipitation, and coniferous forests. The Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area in the Washington Cascades has over 700 lakes. Alkalinity for lakes in the Cascade region vary from as high as 400 μeq L-1 to as low as 57 μeq L , all of which are considered to be low alkalinity, and suggestive that they might be susceptible to acidification. The pH of these lakes ranged from 7.83 to 5.62, and in this region an acidified lake

2214-563: Is considered having a pH below 4.7. The Cascade Range was further evaluated by subregions since the environments vary greatly. Lower alkalinity, 50–100 μeq L , was observed in regions with little soil and granite rocks, like that of Glacier Peak Wilderness and Mt. Rainier. Higher alkalinity, 200–400 μeq L , was observed in regions composed of basalt and andesite such as the Western Cascades. Paleoproxies are chemical or biological sources that serve as indicator data for some aspect of

2296-486: Is considered sacred in Hinduism . Harmukh derives from Haramukuta, meaning "the diadem of Hara (Shiva)". The entire region of Harmukh is also known as Ramaradhan , as it is believed that Parashurama had meditated near lakes on this mountain range. Harmukh, with Gangbal Lake at its foot, is considered a sacred mountain by Hindus . It is also known as 'Kailash of Kashmir' According to the legend of "Hurmukhuk Gosoni", once

2378-620: Is located in valley of the Sindh River , also known as Nallah Sindh. It is rich in landscape and is often called the District of Lakes, as it possesses the highest number of lakes in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Sonamarg, a hill station located 80 kilometers from Srinagar . At an altitude of 2,800 meters, it has views of snow-clad mountains, alpine meadows, and the Sindh River. Hosting the International Championships of Rafting on

2460-582: Is part of the Himalaya Range , and is located between Sindh River to its south and Kishanganga River to its north. It rises above the Gangabal Lake in the vicinity of Kashmir Valley . It is more hazardous to reach Mount Haramukh from the east and south side of Ganderbal and has never been climbed from these sides; thus, it is mostly climbed in the north-west from the Arin Bandipore side. Harmukh

2542-464: Is renowned for its large growth of lotus plants, which bloom during July and August, enhancing the beauty of its clear waters. Additionally, the Mughal garden known as Garoka, built by Nur Jahan , offers stunning views of the lake. Manasbal Lake is a haven for birdwatchers, boasting one of the largest natural habitats for aquatic birds in Kashmir. Despite its natural beauty and ecological significance,

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2624-449: Is the brown trout . The lake has a maximum length of 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) and maximum width of 1 kilometre (0.62 mi). It is fed by precipitation, glaciers and springs. The lake water outflows to a nearby small lake (Nundkol) and then via Wangath nullah to Sindh River. The trout fishes are present in the lake. Gangabal lake is approached from Srinagar 45 kilometres (28 mi) by road via Ganderbal up to Naranag and then

2706-400: Is used as an offering, and the goddess it is offered to. The Naranag Temple located near Harmukh Mountain, holds historical significance as an ancient pilgrimage site dedicated to Lord Shiva. Historians suggest that it was commissioned by the eighth-century ruler Lalithdatiya Muktapid and has been associated with religious practices for centuries. While its impressive architecture reflects

2788-917: The Andean lapwing . Another important alpine lake, Crater Lake located in Oregon, is home to several introduced fish species, native amphibians, and reptiles. The amphibians and reptiles that can be found in Crater Lake are the mazama newt , northwestern salamander , northwestern ribbed frog , northwestern toad, cascade frog, pacific tree frog , northern mountain lizard , pigmy horned toad , northern alligator lizard , and northwestern garter snake . Some alpine lakes do not hold any native vertebrate species and instead have grown their vertebrate communities through introduced species. Fish are commonly introduced by humans stocking lakes for recreational and competitive fishing. Crater Lake did not hold any vertebrate species before

2870-500: The Little Ice Age . As global temperatures continue to rise, more alpine lakes will be formed as glaciers recede and provide more run-off to surrounding areas, and existing lakes will see more biogeochemical changes and ecosystem shifts. An alpine lake's trophic state (i.e., level of biological productivity ) progresses with age (e.g., low productivity after formation and increased productivity with vegetation and soil maturity in

2952-460: The Ganderbal district both plain and alpine varieties, which include over 100 alpine lakes . Plain lakes: Alpine lakes: Furthermore, Durinar Lake III (located at an elevation of 4,650 meters above sea level) is the highest altitude alpine lake in Kashmir, while Manasbal Lake (with a depth of 13 meters or 43 feet) is the deepest plain lake in Kashmir . Both lakes fall within the jurisdiction of

3034-612: The Ganderbal district, playing a vital role in the region's agriculture and water supply. Lar town stands out for its grape cultivation, yielding the highest production in the entire valley. This has given Ganderbal the title of the Grape Town of Kashmir. The Ganderbal district, particularly the Sherpathri belt, is renowned as the Wicker Hub of Kashmir due to its distinctive wicker artisans. Spanning nearly 25 small hamlets , most of

3116-626: The Ganderbal district. The rivers flowing within the jurisdiction of the Ganderbal district are: 1. Sind River - The primary river flowing through the district, originating from the Zoji La pass and running throughout Ganderbal. 2. Kishanganga / Neelum River - This river originates in vicinity of Sonamarg and flows onward across the Line of Control and enters the Pakistan . 3. Jhelum River - The major river of Kashmir that flows through some villages in

3198-639: The Great Lakes of the U.S. and Canada are formed by the retreat of the Laurentide Ice Sheet during the last Ice Age which scoured the flat rock surface but are not in the alpine. Conversely, Lake Louise located in the Rocky Mountains was formed from glacial debris damming meltwater (i.e., a moraine lake) from the Victoria Glacier. The annual cycle of stratification and mixing in lakes plays

3280-550: The Serveyer's mark K2 continues to be the name. Gangabal Lake, also called Gangbal Lake, is a lake situated at the foothills of Mount Haramukh (one of the highest mountain peak in the vicinity of Kashmir valley) in Ganderbal district, north of Srinagar city in Jammu and Kashmir in India. It is an alpine high altitude oligotrophic lake , and is home to many types of fishes of which one

3362-435: The Sindh River, it attracts adventure enthusiasts from around the world. The area has seen some development in the form of private hotels offering modern amenities for visitors. Additionally, Sonamarg serves as a starting point for treks to high altitude lakes like Vishansar, Krishansar, Gadsar and Gangabal, known for their abundant trout populations. Manasbal Lake, located 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) north west of Ganderbal,

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3444-536: The annual cycles of stratification in alpine lakes. High altitude regions are experiencing changing seasonal weather patterns and faster warming than the global average. The duration of ice cover on alpine lakes is sensitive to these factors, and shorter ice cover duration has the potential to shift the mixing regime of lakes from dimictic to monomictic (one stratified and one fully mixed period each year). A change in mixing regime could fundamentally alter chemical and biological conditions such as nutrient availability and

3526-434: The base of Harmukh. Another trek leads from Naranag to the base of Harmukh at Gangabal Lake , but it is a steep climb at some places. Ganderbal district The Ganderbal district , is an Indian -administered district in Jammu and Kashmir in the disputed Kashmir region. It was formed in 2007 and has 6 subdistricts (tehsils): Kangan , Ganderbal , Tullamulla, Wakura , Lar , and Gund. There are many lakes in

3608-409: The base of food webs, are the primary accumulators of trace elements, which are then transferred up the food chain to fish or birds via predation. The seminal study that used chironomids as bioindicators due to their abundance in alpine lakes and variety of feeding habits (collectors, shredders, and predators) found that most trace element concentrations are within limits of sediment quality targets, with

3690-486: The climate and can help reconstruct past regional climates and the future fate of alpine environments. Alpine lakes themselves are unique reservoirs of paleoclimate data, particularly for understanding climate in the late Quaternary , as they collect and store geomorphological and ecological data in their sediment . These records of the past allow for a better understanding of how alpine lakes have responded to climate variability. Thus, by understanding these mechanisms of

3772-485: The consumption of fossil fuels, has accelerated their rate of accumulation into alpine lake environments. Though essential to life in low concentrations, some trace elements begin to function as contaminants with over-accumulation. After being released into the atmosphere, trace elements can become soluble through biogeochemical processes and end up in sediment and then mobilized through weathering and runoff to enter alpine lake ecosystems. Benthic macroinvertebrates often at

3854-640: The craftsmanship of its builders from the eighth century, the temple currently faces challenges of preservation and maintenance. Despite recent efforts by the government to construct protective walls, the site remains in a state of disrepair, with only faint traces of its former glory surviving. While acknowledging its cultural and historical importance, it's essential to recognize the need for ongoing efforts to ensure its preservation and relevance for future generations. Ganderbal district, has its district headquarters located at 33°44′N 75°09′E  /  33.73°N 75.15°E  / 33.73; 75.15 in

3936-404: The exception of lead in both study lakes and zinc in one, and also concluded that trace element concentrations reflected the relative levels of pollution impacting each alpine lake in the study region of northern Italy. Another study, upon assessing the composition through time of chosen bioindicators and finding evidence for degraded water quality, concluded that the lake ecosystem had moved out of

4018-416: The extent of the lake may create regions of upwelling and downwelling . River inflow can induce circulation in alpine lakes through momentum carried directly into the lake by rivers or streams and through density currents. If the inflowing water is denser than the water at the surface of the lake (due to differences in temperature or sediment concentration), buoyancy drives the heavier inflowing water down

4100-594: The food web in Lake Tahoe. Nearby Cascade Lake in California, which is often closely studied with Lake Tahoe, does not have any introduced species due to highly restricted public access. Fish were also stocked in Lake Titicaca following the decimation of a native fish population after a fishing competition. Some studies have noted that recreational fishing of introduced species in alpine lakes may have negative effects on

4182-632: The high Andes is one species that is endemic, while others were introduced. Lake Titicaca is home to a wide variety of vertebrates, including the Titicaca water frog ( Telmatobious culeous) , and the endangered Titicaca grebe ( Rollandia microptera ) found only in the Titicaca basin. The basin is also home to a variety of bird species and is considered a Ramsar Site due to its ecological importance. Waterbird species include Chilean flamingo , greater yellowlegs , snowy egret , Andean coot , Andean gull , and

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4264-401: The lake faces challenges such as environmental degradation and tourism-related pressures. Accessing the lake from Srinagar involves a 30-kilometer road journey via Shadipur, Nasim, and Ganderbal. The road to Wular Lake , Kashmir's largest lake, passes through Manasbal, providing visitors with an opportunity to explore the region's diverse water bodies and natural landscapes. Prang village

4346-428: The lake's physical features, including size and substrate, and environmental parameters, including temperature and ice-cover, define community composition and structure, with one study suggesting that temperature and altitude are the primary drivers, and another presenting evidence instead for heterogeneity in lake morphometry and substrate as the primary drivers. The latter, in particular an increase in rocky substratum,

4428-684: The largest mountain range in Europe and home to some of the most well-known lakes. The bedrock in the Alps varies greatly and can be composed of granite, quartz, slate, dolomite, marble, limestone and much more. This diverse geological structure plays a role in the diverse alkalinity of each alpine lake. A study of 73 alpine lakes in the Eastern Alps determined that 85% of the lakes had low alkalinity values (< 200 μeq L ) with only two lakes having an alkalinity above 500 μeq L . This study also determined pH and found

4510-647: The magnetic properties of the lake sediments match those of the bedrock, it can be deduced that there was more glacier movement, i.e., cooler temperatures. Along with the sediments being "detrital" (bedrock weathering), the sediments are more coarse-grained indicating high glacial activity associated with the Pleistocene . Diatom assemblages reveal changes in benthic conditions and alkalinity which help infer changes in temperature and carbon dioxide concentrations over time. During periods of warmer temperatures, extended growing seasons led to more benthic plant growth which

4592-506: The major contributors of alkalinity to alpine lakes whereas alpine lakes in regions of granite and other igneous rocks have lower alkalinity due to slower kinetics of the weathering. Lower alkalinity indicates a lower ability to buffer the water from acidic or basic inputs so alpine lakes with low alkalinity are susceptible to acidic pollutants in the atmosphere. It is generally accepted that alpine lakes with alkalinity less than 200 unit μeq L are susceptible to acidification. The Alps are

4674-475: The more extreme temperature regimes characteristic of smaller bodies of water, selecting for a small subset of more robust species that end up thriving from less overall competition. Altitude may also affect community composition due to the change in availability of food resources. For example, at higher altitudes, alpine lakes experience shorter ice-free periods which places a limit on the amount of primary production and subsequent growth of food. In conclusion, both

4756-416: The northwestern Himalayan Range . The Kashmir Valley lies to its south. Water from melting glaciers form Gangabal Lake which lies at its foot to the north east side and contribute significantly to the regional fresh-water supply, supporting irrigation through Sind River . It is notable for its local relief as it is a consistently steep pyramid, dropping sharply to the east and south, with the eastern slope

4838-443: The only way to fix the problem is to completely eradicate the non-native fish species in the lakes in any way possible. These included using gill nets, electrofishing, and continued aggressive recreational fishing. Alpine lake invertebrates are arguably one of the most vulnerable communities of invertebrates to increasing temperatures associated with human-induced climate change, due to the expected increase in ice-free periods and to

4920-405: The overall ecosystem. Bringing in non-native species, especially to fishless lakes, can also carry pathogens and bacteria, negatively impacting the invertebrate community already there. Studies of two fishless Italian alpine lakes, Dimon Lake and Balma Lake, found that introduced fish brought new viruses and bacteria that were harmful to the native amphibians in the water. The studies also showed that

5002-443: The past, better predictions can be made about the future response of alpine ecosystems to present-day climate change. The fraction of mineral phosphorus (P) to organic P within lake sediments can be used to determine if the sediment deposits are sourced from glaciers (higher mineral to organic P ratio) or debris slopes (lower mineral to organic P ratio). Therefore, the sediment P content can inform glacial activity and thus climate at

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5084-437: The population of the district is engaged with farming. The river sand (bajri), often mixed with cement, it produces is of high value. Harmukh is the highest peak in the region and Gangbal the largest alpine lake. The district currently has six subdistricts ( tehsils ): It is further divided into nine CD blocks: Ganderbal, Wakura , Lar , Kangan , Gund, Sherpathri , Phaag, Manigam and Batwina. Each block consists of

5166-470: The population in this area is associated with the craft of wickerwork . These craftsmen create a variety of items, including chairs, sofas, baskets, flower vases, and kitchen essentials, using locally sourced willow reeds . Kheer Bhawani is a temple dedicated to the goddess Bhavani , constructed over a spring in Tulmul village. The name of the temple is derived from both the rice pudding ( kheer ) that

5248-404: The receding glacier, causes a depression, and then melts. Some alpine lakes reside in depressions formed from glaciers that existed during the last Ice Age yet are no longer proximate to any glaciers and are being sourced from snow, rain, or groundwater. Glacial alpine lakes have dramatically increased in number in recent years. From 1990 to 2018, the number of glacial lakes increased by 53% and

5330-422: The relatively small impact of human-changed land cover that other similar terrestrial-aquatic systems have already been subjected to. Cold- stenothermal species uniquely adapted to survive in only a small range of cold temperatures, and larger sexual reproducing species slower to reproduce than smaller, asexual species under perturbations, could both be negatively impacted. Melting glaciers are presumed to increase

5412-602: The size of the photic zone . Alpine lake ecosystems are undergoing unprecedented rates of change in community composition in relation to recent temperature increases and nutrient loading. Consistent monitoring can help identify, quantify and characterize this ecological impact. One such monitoring technique employs macroinvertebrates as bioindicators primarily to analyze the accumulation of trace elements associated with pollution and to, more generally, track changes in biological communities due to climate change. Trace elements can occur naturally, but industrialization, including

5494-458: The sizes of the alpine lakes that are glacier-fed, impacting the evidence size effect on community composition. Also, habitat structure could change in response to an increase in erosion from thawing permafrost, and lastly, an uptick in the frequency and magnitude of extreme weather events would increase water column turbidity, which is well-known to impact the processes of photosynthesis and respiration by increasing light attenuation and decreasing

5576-444: The slope of the lake bed or into the lake interior. Such density-driven flows have been recorded in alpine lakes with velocities reaching nearly 1 m/s. Heating and cooling of alpine lakes can cause surface waters to become more dense than the water in the interior of the lake. This results in a gravitationally unstable water column, and the dense water is pulled downward from the surface causing convection. This vertical circulation

5658-583: The steepest. The Harmukh mountain massif has several summits, the Station Peak being the lowest with a peak elevation of 4,698 metres (15,413 ft) was first climbed by members of the Great Trigonometric Survey of British India led by Thomas Montgomerie in 1856. Montgomerie made the first survey of the Karakoram range which lies some 210 km (130 miles) to the north from here and sketched

5740-492: The stomach contents of fish stocked in Crater Lake, which has further reduced populations. Lake Tahoe , located between California and Nevada, also has several introduced fish species established in the basin due to recreational fishing, including lake trout ( Salvelinus namaycush ), rainbow trout, brown trout, bluegill ( Lepomis macrochirus ), carp ( Cyprinus caprio ), and others. Lake trout, along with an introduced freshwater shrimp, Mysis relicta , have drastically changed

5822-789: The surrounding watershed), but anthropogenic effects such as agriculture and climate change are rapidly affecting productivity levels in some lakes. These lakes are sensitive ecosystems and are particularly vulnerable to climate change due to the highly pronounced changes to ice and snow cover. Due to the importance of alpine lakes as sources of freshwater for agricultural and human use, the physical, chemical, and biological responses to climate change are being extensively studied. Commonly, alpine lakes are formed from current or previous glacial activity (called glacial lakes ) but could also be formed from other geological processes such as damming of water due to volcanic lava flows or debris, volcanic crater collapse, or landslides . Glacial lakes form when

5904-511: The time the sediment was deposited. For instance, an alpine lake in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia revealed cooler and wetter conditions due to the increased trend in mineral-rich (glacial-derived) P sediments which agrees with other findings of cooling in the Holocene . Magnetic properties of the sediment in alpine lakes can also help infer glacial activity at a high resolution. When

5986-465: The timing and duration of hypoxia in alpine lakes. In addition, the relatively small size and high altitude of alpine lakes may make them especially susceptible to changes in climate. The hydrology of an alpine lake's watershed plays a large role in determining chemical characteristics and nutrient availability. Sources of water inflow into alpine lakes include precipitation, melting snow and glaciers, and groundwater. Alpine lake inflow often has

6068-418: The total glacial lake area increased by 51% due to global warming . Alpine lakes adjacent to glaciers may also result in a positive feedback due to decreased albedo of water relative to ice, creating larger lakes and causing more glacial melt. Glacial alpine lakes differ from other glacier-formed lakes in that they occur at higher altitudes and mountainous terrain usually at or above timberline. For example,

6150-515: The town of Ganderbal , is at an average elevation of 1,950 metres (6,400 ft) above mean sea level. The town is at a distance of 21 kilometres (13 mi) from Srinagar city. The total geographical area of Ganderbal district is 259 km2. The mountainous Ganderbal district is spread across the Sind River . It is the only river in Jammu and Kashmir on which three hydroelectric power stations are functional, and provides water for irrigation. 80% of

6232-531: The two most prominent peaks, labeling them K1 (also called Masherbrum ) and K2, which is the world's second-highest mountain. The highest eastern peak 5,142 metres (16,870 ft) was summited by Dr Ernest Neve and Geoffrey Millais in 1899. The mountain has since become popular among climbers and mountaineers. The easiest route among the different routes of Harmukh is via Erin, Bandipore , 47 km (29 mi) motorable road from Srinagar to Erin and 18 km (11 mi) of high altitude alpine trek leads to

6314-466: The two most prominent species (66% and 28%, respectively) in 28 alpine lakes in Austria. Phytoplankton populations are dominated by nanoplanktonic, mobile species including chrysophytes, dinoflagellates, and cryptophytes in the water column, with important contributions to photosynthesis also coming from the algae community attached to substrates, epilithon and epipelon. Viruses are also observed in alpine lakes at abundances of up to 3 x 10 ml , which nears

6396-439: The upper range of the general observed abundances from 10 to 10 ml in aquatic systems. A study of 28 alpine lakes found that with increasing elevation, macroinvertebrate abundances increase in small lakes but decrease in larger lakes and community composition shifts with increasing elevation, towards a small number of specialized species. The increasing abundances in smaller lakes as elevation increases are thought to be due to

6478-454: The water becomes dammed. When damming occurs due to debris from the glacier movement, these lakes are called moraine lakes. These dams of debris can be very resilient or may burst, causing extreme flooding which poses significant hazards to communities in the alpine, especially in the Himalayas . Kettle lakes also form from glacier recession but are formed when a section of ice breaks off from

6560-461: The year 2008. This garden is situated on the banks of the famous Sindh River, and forested slopes are on the other side of the garden adding more charm to its beauty. The famous Environmental park (usually known as the "dumping park") is in the adjacent village of Prang. This village is considered as the main hub for its adjacent areas. The adjacent areas of this village are "Lari Prang, Check Prang, Herra Prang, Pati Prang and dragtung". Mohand Marg

6642-454: Was first climbed by the Great Trigonometric Survey 's Thomas Montgomerie in 1856 and made the first survey of the Karakoram some 210 km (130 miles) to the south, and sketched the two most prominent peaks, labelling them K1 and K2. Harmukh was later climbed by many other climbers. Therefore, Harmukh is the mountain from which the world's second highest mountain peak K2 was discovered and

6724-776: Was found to negatively impact abundance and species richness. All of these environmental parameters are likely to be impacted by climate change, with cascading effects on alpine lake invertebrate and microbial communities. The vertebrate community of alpine lakes is much more limited than invertebrate communities as harsh conditions have an increased impact on the organisms, but can include fish, amphibians, reptiles, and birds. Despite this, many alpine lakes can still host diverse species at these high elevations. These organisms have arrived in several ways through human introductions, ecological introductions, and some are endemic to their respective lakes. The Titicaca water frog in Lake Titicaca in

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