Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the health of glaciers in the Tibetan Plateau, particularly focusing on the Dongkemadi Glacier, and the ongoing research to monitor and understand the impacts of climate change on these glaciers [1][9]. Group 1: Glacier Characteristics - The Dongkemadi Glacier is a compound valley glacier formed by a main glacier flowing south and a tributary glacier flowing southwest, with the main glacier's terminus at an elevation exceeding 5000 meters [2]. - The glacier has over 35 years of continuous observation records, which are crucial for analyzing the evolution of glaciers in the Yangtze River source region [2]. Group 2: Research Methodology - To assess the glacier's health, researchers measure its area and thickness, estimating the glacier's volume and annual changes [4]. - Remote sensing satellites and drones are utilized to monitor changes in glacier area, while ground-based photography captures changes at the glacier's terminus [4]. - For measuring glacier thickness, researchers employ ground-penetrating radar, which allows them to scan approximately 40 meters of the glacier, revealing a maximum thickness of around 15 meters [6][8]. Group 3: Climate Change Impact - The Dongkemadi Glacier is experiencing a retreat trend due to climate warming, with a noticeable acceleration in the rate of retreat in recent years [9]. - The retreat of glaciers may temporarily increase river water supply, but this trend is unsustainable, leading to potential river and lake shrinkage and ecological degradation in cold region ecosystems [9]. - The increasing difficulty in accessing the glacier due to melting ice and changing terrain poses challenges for researchers [10]. Group 4: Long-term Observations - A permanent observation station at an altitude of 5200 meters has been established to monitor various environmental factors, providing essential data for studying water cycle evolution and ecological responses in the Yangtze River source area [12]. - The presence of vegetation, such as the resilient Rhodiola, highlights the ecological significance of glaciers, while areas of degraded soil illustrate the adverse effects of glacier retreat [13].