Evaluating the effectiveness of artificial covering in reducing glacier melt

To mitigate glacier melt, artificial covering methods, such as high-albedo geotextiles, have been employed, primarily in small-scale applications like ski resorts. However, their effectiveness and feasibility at larger scales remain poorly understood. This study simulates how full-coverage of glaciers with geotextiles influences mass balance across individual glacier (Urumqi Glacier No.1, UGN1) and the entire watershed of the Urumqi River in the Tianshan Mountains, combining the COupled Snowpack and Ice surface energy and mass-balance model in PYthon (COSIPY) simulations with long-term observational data covering the period 1988–2018. Modeling results indicate that, under idealized covering scenarios simulated for the period 1988‒2018, geotextiles could substantially reduce glacier ablation, with a simulated reduction of 28% at the UGN1 and 35% at the basin scale. These simulations assume continuous coverage with high-albedo geotextiles (albedo = 0.70) under present-day climatic conditions, without accounting for seasonal removal or material degradation. The simulated mitigation effect varies across sub-basins, with reductions ranging from 23%‒42%, influenced by local climatic and topographic conditions. Sensitivity analyses reveal that a 10% increase in geotextile albedo improved the simulated melt reduction by up to 48% at the basin scale, while a 10% decrease still retained a 20% mitigation effect at the glacier scale. Despite these benefits, large-scale deployment faces prohibitive economic costs, logistical challenges, and environmental risks. This study highlights the need for an integrated, multi-scale approach that combines global decarbonization efforts with targeted, science-based local interventions, rather than relying solely on artificial coverings. These findings provide a scientific basis for policymakers to balance immediate protective measures with long-term climate mitigation strategies.