Cryospheric Science: Research framework and disciplinary system

Abstract

Cryospheric changes and their impacts have received increasing concern, extending the research to include the interactions between earth spheres and the impacts of and social adaptation to cryospheric changes. As a result, Cryospheric Science is rapidly developing. However, the research framework of Cryospheric Science has not completely been set up, and the intension and extension of Cryospheric Science are unclear. Following a literature review, the research framework for Cryospheric Science and the discipline components are analysed in this paper. We consider that Cryospheric Science is an inevitable product of international research on the earth and environmental changes as well as on human sustainable development. It will not only strengthen the linkage between the cryosphere and other earth spheres by deepening traditional research areas, but will also bring more focus on the critical roles of the cryosphere in interactions between earth spheres, and will enhance the relationship between cryospheric change and climate, ecology, hydrology, surface environment and sustainable development. The disciplinary tree of Cryospheric Science is developed following the mainstream of change-impacts adaptation. The disciplines of Cryospheric Science were teased out against characteristics of traditional branches and the developing interdisciplinary branches of cryosphere elements, which will provide reference to Cryospheric Science as it systematically grows to maturity.