Glacier and Snow Cover Dynamics and Their Affecting Factors on the Pamir Plateau Section of the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor

The China–Pakistan economic corridor (CPEC) traverses the ecologically fragile and geologically hazardous Pamir plateau (PP), where glacier dynamics are critical for water resources and ecological stability. This study analyzes glacier changes in the PP segment of CPEC from 2000 to 2022 using Google Earth engine (GEE) and an improved glacier and snow cover extraction method. Results show that before CPEC’s initiation (2000–2014), glacier area fluctuated with an annual increase of 422 km2, peaking in 2010. After 2015, glacier area declined continuously at 1000 km2 per year, reaching a minimum in 2022. Snow cover also declined, especially post-2015. Glacier retreat was most severe in low-altitude regions, particularly in the eastern and southern PP, while higher altitudes (5000–7000 m) exhibited slower retreat. Climatic analysis reveals a strengthening negative correlation between temperature, evapotranspiration, and glacier area, indicating accelerated retreat due to global warming. These findings provide scientific support for ecological protection, water resource management, and geological hazard mitigation along CPEC.