The loss of mass from glaciers, ice caps, and polar ice sheets has accelerated over the last 3 decades as a result of climate change. This has made land ice the major contributor to sea level rise and the main cause of its acceleration. However, the evolution of the land-based cryosphere over the course of the 21st century and beyond adds considerable uncertainties to sea level rise projections, particularly if instability mechanisms are triggered, leading to rapid retreat of marine basins in Antarctica. Critical knowledge gaps pose challenges for predicting the land ice response to the evolution of climate and the resulting impact on sea level, from cryospheric process understanding, ice sheet and glacier modelling, and coupling with the atmosphere and ocean to bridging the gap with sea level and coastal-impact sciences.

Review process: This inter-journal special issue co-lists papers of different journals. Thereby, each paper was submitted to 1 particular journal and underwent the regular interactive peer-review process of that journal. Depending on the journal, the peer review was handled by regular members of the editorial board and/or by guest editors designated by the journal’s chief/executive editors.