This project will generate and publish open ultra-high-resolution Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)-derived Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) and orthophoto plans for benchmark debris-covered glacier and moraine systems in the Almaty region. By providing a training programme for early career researchers and technical specialists, the project aims to enhance regional technical capacity for glacier monitoring, hazard assessment, and climate adaptation planning.
Mountain glaciers in Central Asia are retreating rapidly, with significant implications for downstream water availability, glacier-related hazard risks, and coupled socio-ecological systems. Despite long-term glaciological and geodetic mass balance observations in the region, critical knowledge gaps persist in understanding glacier ablation processes and water resource variability in densely populated downstream regions.
To address this, the project will train early career researchers and technical specialists from national operational agencies and publish ultra-high-resolution (up to 10 cm) UAV-derived DEMs and orthophoto plans for benchmark debris-covered glacier and moraine systems within the Kishi Almaty, Ulken Almaty, and Talgar river basins, including the Tuyuksu Glacier. Surveys will be georeferenced using a high-precision Differential Global Positioning System with RTX positioning, to enable robust elevation change detection and volumetric assessment of debris-covered and buried ice bodies.
Key Activities & Outputs
The targeted training will focus on the complete mountain data lifecycle, including UAV survey planning, photogrammetric processing, quality assurance, metadata documentation, and open data publication, thereby strengthening regional technical capacity for glacier monitoring, hazard assessment, and climate adaptation planning. Planned outputs include:
- Hands-on training workshop for Early Career Researchers
- Open-Access publication of curated mountain dataset: Ultra-high-resolution geospatial data
- Transferable methodological workflow for glacier monitoring (including detailed user guidelines and technical documentation)
- Outreach and knowledge dissemination, including a comprehensive summary report and a brochure about the Glaciers of Kishi Almaty for broader audiences and decision-makers
Contact
Zarina Saidaliyeva, Central Asian Regional Glaciological Centre under the auspices of UNESCO, z.saidaliyeva@outlook.com
This project is supported by GEO Mountains under the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) to GEO Mountains under its Adaptation at Altitude Programme (project number 7F-10208.01.02) and by the Mountain Research Initiative (SCNAT project numbers FNW0009_004-2023-01 and FNW0015_004-2026-01).
Cover image by Dmitry Sumskoy