Shiying Yu , Jiayao Zhou

Institute of Life Science, Jiyang College of Zhejiang A&F University, Zhuji, 311800, China
Author    Correspondence author
Biological Evidence, 2024, Vol. 14, No. 4   doi: 10.5376/be.2024.14.0018
Received: 16 Jun., 2024    Accepted: 22 Jul., 2024    Published: 08 Aug., 2024

This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Yu S.Y., and Zhou J.Y., 2024, Winter snowpack and its role in water resource management and ecosystem function, Bioscience Evidence, 14(4): 161-171 (doi: 10.5376/be.2024.14.0018)

Winter snowpack plays a crucial role as a key water resource storage form in many regions worldwide, significantly impacting the water cycle, agriculture, industry, and ecosystem health. However, climate change is profoundly affecting the formation processes, characteristics, and regional distribution of snowpacks, posing new challenges for water resource management and ecosystem functions. This study reviews current research on winter snowpack, exploring its essential role in water storage and release, soil moisture maintenance, habitat provision, and nutrient cycling, with case studies illustrating the effectiveness of snowpack-dependent management systems. Additionally, the study analyzes the impact of climate change on snowpack dynamics, presents the latest advancements in monitoring and modeling technologies, and proposes sustainable management strategies and policy recommendations. The research aims to provide scientific evidence and strategic guidance for more effective water resource management and ecological conservation in the future.

Winter snowpack; Water resource management; Ecosystem function; Climate change; Monitoring and modeling