International Journal of Molecular Ecology and Conservation, 2025, Vol.15, No.6, 277-285 http://ecoevopublisher.com/index.php/ijmec 283 In terms of model prediction, land surface models (such as CLM), snow energy balance models (such as SnowModel), and climate models (such as CMIP6) can all be used for snow cover simulation and are widely applied in future trend prediction and hydrological planning. However, the spatial heterogeneity of snow cover is high and the wind-blown snow process is difficult to simulate. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen data assimilation and regional model development (Royer et al., 2021). 6.2 Ecosystem management strategy To deal with the ecological changes caused by the loss of snow cover, management can start from several directions. The mountain snow source area is very important for water supply in downstream regions, so protected forest construction and land-use control need to be strengthened. In high-mountain or cold-temperate zones, keeping snow cover more stable can be helped by restoring vegetation and improving surface cover. Seasonal changes in runoff can also be handled by building ecological storage systems, improving reservoir regulation ability, and promoting water-saving techniques. In addition, long-term and cross-site ecological research networks play a key role, because they help record landscape changes at both local and global scales and provide useful information for management work. 6.3 Addressing climate change and policy recommendations At the policy level, several directions need more attention. One is to strengthen snow-cover monitoring systems and improve long-term data sharing. Another is to promote cross-regional management and early-warning systems for water resource risks. It is also important to include the ecological risks brought by snow cover changes in national climate adaptation strategies. Funding should support scientific research, encourage interdisciplinary cooperation, and improve related models. Under global warming, snow-related protection measures need to be part of global environmental governance, and international cooperation should be expanded. Related policies should help cold-region ecosystems stay resilient, protect key water sources, and support sustainable development in regions that depend on snow (Mitterwallner et al., 2024). 7 Concluding Remarks Snow cover, as an important interface connecting the atmosphere, cryosphere, hydrological system and ecological processes, plays an irreplaceable role in maintaining ecosystem stability, water resource regulation and regional climate balance. Its high albedo, water storage capacity and insulation function make it a fundamental element for the operation of ecosystems in cold regions. Snow not only protects the soil and root systems from damage caused by extreme low temperatures, but also provides necessary moisture for early spring vegetation, maintains the temperature gradient of the microhabitat, and ensures the rhythmicity of seasonal activities of animals and plants. Snow cover is the main source of water resources in many regions, and its melting rhythm directly affects river replenishment, groundwater replenishment, agricultural and pastoral production, as well as water security in downstream cities. With climate warming speeding up, the thickness, area, and duration of snow cover are all dropping, and the snow ecosystem is showing clear structural changes. These changes affect local ecological processes, and they may also create chain reactions across different systems. For example, when snow melts earlier, the spring runoff peak also arrives earlier, which can raise drought risks. The damage to small habitats under the snow makes it harder for many animals to survive the winter. The loss of stability in permafrost strongly affects carbon release and changes surface conditions. Over time, the climate feedback caused by snow cover decline may even speed up regional warming, creating a more complicated link between ecology and climate. In the future, it will be important to strengthen snow-cover monitoring, improve model prediction, and study cross-system effects to better understand and deal with related risks. Different ecosystems also need their own adaptive management plans, such as improving water resource allocation, protecting key habitats, and increasing ecosystem resilience. At the same time, a more complete ecological protection strategy and policy system is needed to handle the challenges that snow-cover reduction brings to regional ecological safety and water resource use. The stability of snow ecosystems is tied not only to the development of cold-region areas but also to global ecological balance and climate control. Therefore, studying and protecting these systems has both scientific value and practical importance.
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