Changes in Glacial Meltwater Runoff and Its Response to Climate Change in the Tianshan Region Detected Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Satellite Remote Sensing

The Tianshan Mountains, known as the “water tower” of Central Asia, are major source water for most part Xinjiang and oasis region Asia. However, climate warming has amplified discharges glacial meltwater in Mountains. In this study, we calculated river discharge by integrating cross-sections mapped using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) velocity data collected field. Multiple remote sensing images, such Landsat Sentinel-2 imagery, were applied to estimate long-term 19 sections ungauged regions River variations under change also examined. Using our in-situ measured reference, UAV derived results have an NSE (Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency) 0.98, RMSE (root mean square error) 8.49 m3/s, average qualification rate 80%. monthly meltwater-dominated showed decrease 2.46% during 1989–2019. shrinking even disappearance mountain glaciers (approximately −4.98 km2/year) was main reasons trend. precipitation-dominated increase 2.27% same period. precipitation 1.93 mm/year) key cause tendency. This study highlights hydrological station technology its application prediction discharge, which is critical decision-making regarding integrated resource management alpine regions.