Andean Land Use and Biodiversity: Humanized Landscapes in a Time of Change

Young, Kenneth R.

doi:10.3417/2008035

Cited by 98 publications

(76 citation statements)

References 145 publications

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“…Glacial melt water is critical to the diverse ecosystems of the region and supports unique landscape mosaics that are the result of millennia of complex biophysical, ecological and human interaction (Young 2009). At least ten biological life zones have been identified in the region, which include subtropical and tropical zones, and puna, or high alpine tundra (Pulgar Vidal 1981).…”

Section: Glacier Recession In the Cordillera Blanca Perumentioning

confidence: 99%

Glacier recession and human vulnerability in the Yanamarey watershed of the Cordillera Blanca, Peru

et al. 2010

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Glaciers in the Cordillera Blanca, Peru, are undergoing rapid retreat, in large part due to climate change. These changes are significantly altering water availability in the region and pose critical risks to local populations that are highly dependent on these resources for livelihoods. We examine these issues through an interdisciplinary and linked evaluation of hydrological change and livelihood vulnerability in the Yanamarey watershed. Physical observations of the Yanamarey glacier show acceleration in frontal retreat at a rate of 8 m decade −1 since 1970, accompanied by total volume loss on the order of 0.022 km 3 . Hydrological and hydrochemical analyses document a possible transformation of stream flow over the past decade as the seasonal storage capacity of the glacier has degraded. Recent stream discharge measurements from the proglacial lake below the glacier are more coincident with the highly variable seasonal precipitation than they were during the 1998-1999 hydrological year. Local household perceptions of glacier recession and seasonal hydrological variability agree with this trend, which is increasing human vulnerability in the watershed. Household case-study survey results demonstrate that shifting water resources, increasing weather extremes and climate-related threats to tourism are all new vectors of vulnerability for household livelihoods.

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Section: Glacier Recession In the Cordillera Blanca Perumentioning

confidence: 99%

Glacier recession and human vulnerability in the Yanamarey watershed of the Cordillera Blanca, Peru

et al. 2010

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“…Similarly, Racoviteanu et al (2008) calculated a 22.4 % glacier area reduction from 1970 to 2003, during which time the mean glacier terminus elevation increased by 113 m. Glacier changes are altering downstream hydrology, changing water supply in terms of quantity, quality and timing (Baraer et al, 2009(Baraer et al, , 2012Chevallier et al, 2011;Condom et al, 2011;Juen et al, 2007;Kaser et al, 2003;Rabatel et al, 2013). These changes have profound impacts on downstream communities, livelihoods and ecology (Bury et al, 2013(Bury et al, , 2011Carey et al, 2014;Mark et al, 2010;Postigo et al, 2008;Young, 2009Young, , 2014. Additionally, rapidly melting glaciers are increasing the number and volume of unstable proglacial lakes that present a serious natural hazard through potential glacier lake outburst floods (GLOFs) (Carey, 2008;Carey et al, 2012;Huggel et al, 2002;Lliboutry et al, 1977; O.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Monitoring tropical debris-covered glacier dynamics from high-resolution unmanned aerial vehicle photogrammetry, Cordillera Blanca, Peru

Wigmore

Mark

2017

The Cryosphere

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Abstract. The glaciers of the Cordillera Blanca, Peru, are rapidly retreating and thinning as a result of climate change, altering the timing, quantity and quality of water available to downstream users. Furthermore, increases in the number and size of proglacial lakes associated with these melting glaciers is increasing potential exposure to glacier lake outburst floods (GLOFs). Understanding how these glaciers are changing and their connection to proglacial lake systems is thus of critical importance. Most satellite data are too coarse for studying small mountain glaciers and are often affected by cloud cover, while traditional airborne photogrammetry and lidar are costly. Recent developments have made unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) a viable and potentially transformative method for studying glacier change at high spatial resolution, on demand and at relatively low cost.Using a custom designed hexacopter built for high-altitude (4000-6000 m a.s.l.) operation, we completed repeat aerial surveys (2014 and 2015) of the debris-covered Llaca Glacier tongue and proglacial lake system. High-resolution orthomosaics (5 cm) and digital elevation models (DEMs) (10 cm) were produced and their accuracy assessed. Analysis of these datasets reveals highly heterogeneous patterns of glacier change. The most rapid areas of ice loss were associated with exposed ice cliffs and meltwater ponds on the glacier surface. Considerable subsidence and low surface velocities were also measured on the sediments within the pro-glacial lake, indicating the presence of extensive regions of buried ice and continued connection to the glacier tongue. Only limited horizontal retreat of the glacier tongue was observed, indicating that measurements of changes in aerial extent alone are inadequate for monitoring changes in glacier ice quantity.

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“…The present vegetation pattern in the tropical high Andes is generally determined by human impact, particularly through the use of fire, leading to the destruction of woody vegetation usually on all but the most sheltered sites (Hofstede, 1995;Verweij, 1995;Hofstede et al, 2002;Young, 2009;Cuesta et al, 2012). Thus, few examples of what could be construed as a natural upper forest boundary now exist.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Broad Transition from Cloud Forest to Páramo Characterizes an Undisturbed Treeline in Parque Nacional Llanganates, Ecuador

Hofstede

Dickinson

Mark

et al. 2014

Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research

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Andean Land Use and Biodiversity: Humanized Landscapes in a Time of Change

Cited by 98 publications

References 145 publications

Glacier recession and human vulnerability in the Yanamarey watershed of the Cordillera Blanca, Peru

Glacier recession and human vulnerability in the Yanamarey watershed of the Cordillera Blanca, Peru

Monitoring tropical debris-covered glacier dynamics from high-resolution unmanned aerial vehicle photogrammetry, Cordillera Blanca, Peru

A Broad Transition from Cloud Forest to Páramo Characterizes an Undisturbed Treeline in Parque Nacional Llanganates, Ecuador

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