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Environmental and glaciological studies
Reference: prof. Claudio
Smiraglia
Guglielmina Diolaiuti
Nakileza Bob
Gregorio Mannucci
Theme of the research
Environmental research is an emergent issue in Uganda. The huge decrease of the water level in Lake Victoria (about 4 meters), is creating serious problems of water supply and production of hydroelectric power in the entire region.
To have a clearer vision of what is taking place at regional level concerning the climate, is becoming then more and more urgent. The possibility of having high altitude climate stations as well as the possibility of studying the recent evolution of the glacial systems (evident climate indicators) is in this sense of paramount importance.
The definition of the guidelines and scientific objectives sees the collaboration of Prof. Georg Kaser, director of the work group on tropical glaciology of the University of Studies of Innsbruck, and some researchers of Geography Department of Makerere University, namely the director Dr. J. B. Nyakaana and the coordinator of the Mountain Resource Centre, Mr. Bob Nakileza.
A characteristic element of the Rwenzori landscape are indeed the glacial apparatus situated on the peaks slopes. The glacier represent an extraordinary indicator of the climate change and the estimation of the volume variations of such apparatus is of great utility for assessing the climate change in process in the zone.
During the year 2006 the project foresee to measure, through laser scanner, the front of Speeke glacier and the geometry of the valley that in the previous years was occupied by the same glacier. This will be realised with the collaboration of the technicians of the consortium for technologic innovation InnTec, based in the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Brescia. The comparison of the actual measurement with the cartography of 1955, should allow the estimate of the mass of ice lost in this period by the glacier itself.
Meteorological station
Near to the Speeke glacier will be installed by Comitato Ev-K2-CNR, for the whole year 2006, an automatic meteorological station. The station will be installed under the supervision of the University of studies of Milan and with the technical support of doctor Gregorio Mannucci, responsible of the landslide sector of the Regional Agency for the environment of Lombardia (ARPA) - Italy.
The station will obviously be installed only after an agreement with Rwenzori Park Officials.
The project will also provide, in case of need, training to the RNP staff for the running of the met station.
Still in year 2006 some classical measurements of some glacial fronts will be carried out, together with the photographic documentation.
Future developments
After the first explorative year, in the year 2007-2008 the researchers of L'Umana Dimora will be seconded by the ones of Prof. Smiraglia work group, from the University of Studies of Milan.
These ones will measure the withdrawal value of the glacial fronts, reachable also with satellite GPS instruments.
This program will start in 2006. The resources for the full program have been asked to italian foundations and to international research programs.
Example of measurement of glacial front in a mountain environment. Year 2005: three-dimensional model surveyed with laser scanner techniques of the San Matteo glacier (Valtellina - Italy) (Picture from Vassena)
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