An open source WebGIS approach to empower glacier research with scalability and reproducibility

Abstract. Glacier monitoring is a key component in understanding climate change, especially for small and rapidly retreating glaciers in regions like the Alps. These ice bodies, though limited in size, play a crucial role in local water resources, ecosystem stability, and natural hazard management. However, their fragmented terrain poses significant challenges for data collection and interpretation. This study presents a WebGIS platform developed for the Belvedere Glacier (Italian Alps), designed to enhance data accessibility, visualization, and analysis through a low-cost, open-source solution. The platform integrates heterogeneous datasets — including GNSS measurements, displacement, velocities and acceleration time series — using CesiumJS for 3D geospatial visualization and PostgreSQL/PostGIS for spatial data management. It allows users to explore monitoring points, visualize glacier dynamics, and perform comparative temporal analyses via an intuitive interface. Built entirely with Free and Open Source Software for Geospatial, the system supports both data upload and export, promoting collaborative workflows and reproducibility. Designed with usability in mind, the platform targets a broad audience, from researchers to policymakers, and demonstrates the potential of WebGIS to support long-term glacier monitoring. The proposed architecture is transferable to other environmental applications, contributing to the digital transition in climate impact documentation.