Andean peatlands at risk? Spatiotemporal patterns of extreme NDVI anomalies, water extraction and drought severity in a large-scale mining area of Atacama, northern Chile

The Quebrada Negra wetland study: An approach to understand plant diversity, hydrology, and hydrogeology of high‐Andean wetlands

“…Other investigations also suggest that delays between productivity response to alterations in water availability are typical in semi‐arid regions (Sala et al, 2012), and that these delays typically occur over longer timescales compared to humid and extremely arid regions (Vicente‐Serrano et al, 2013). These results were also confirmed by Chávez et al (2023), in which the standardized precipitation‐evapotranspiration index (SPEI) was correlated with NDVI in peatlands subject to water extraction by the mining industry.…”

“…Despite the recent increase in research on high‐Andean wetlands, driven by their ecological and social significance (Chimner et al, 2019; Cooper et al, 2019; Valois et al, 2020, 2021), a lack of adequate hydrogeological characterization and understanding of their ecosystem features and functions persists, for example, carbon storage, forage provisioning, and water regulation (Monge‐Salazar et al, 2022). This is particularly true in those wetlands occurring in the arid high‐Andes of northern Chile (Anderson et al, 2021; Chávez et al, 2019, 2023), which are oases in one of the driest deserts in the world.…”

“…These sensitive ecosystems are prone to the effects of climate change, as a decrease in vegetation cover can result in increased runoff and reduced groundwater recharge, leading to water stress in wetland plants (Cochi Machaca et al, 2018; Hartman et al, 2016). Moreover, overgrazing and mining activities in wetlands also contribute to a reduction in water availability, negatively affecting the biogeochemical functions such as water flow and organic matter accumulation (Chávez et al, 2023; Cochi Machaca et al, 2018; Cooper et al, 2010; Hartman et al, 2016; Salvador et al, 2014; Squeo et al, 2006). Therefore, various efforts to assess spatiotemporal peatland productivity, mainly using remotely sensed data, have been carried out (Anderson et al, 2021; Chávez et al, 2019, 2023).…”

“…Moreover, overgrazing and mining activities in wetlands also contribute to a reduction in water availability, negatively affecting the biogeochemical functions such as water flow and organic matter accumulation (Chávez et al, 2023; Cochi Machaca et al, 2018; Cooper et al, 2010; Hartman et al, 2016; Salvador et al, 2014; Squeo et al, 2006). Therefore, various efforts to assess spatiotemporal peatland productivity, mainly using remotely sensed data, have been carried out (Anderson et al, 2021; Chávez et al, 2019, 2023).…”

Accuracy of TIP4P/2005 and SPC/Fw Water Models

“…Water is abundant in liquid/solid forms in our planet, and it exhibits several thermodynamic, dynamic, and structural anomalous behaviors. − From agriculture to travel and public health to commerce, water’s properties shape human activity and define the geography, topography, and environment in which we live. − Water is so central to life on Earth that it conditions the search for the possibility of life elsewhere . Many living beings can survive for only a few days without water because it is involved in most biological processes, such as nutrient metabolism catalyzed by enzymes, and it serves as medium for cell communication.…”