Climate Change and Water Resources in Arid Mountains: An Example from the Bolivian Andes

Abstract

Climate change is projected to have a strongly negative effect on water supplies in the arid mountains of South America, significantly impacting millions of people. As one of the poorest countries in the region, Bolivia is particularly vulnerable to such changes due to its limited capacity to adapt. Water security is threatened further by glacial recession with Bolivian glaciers losing nearly half their ice mass over the past 50 years raising serious water management concerns. This review examines current trends in water availability and glacier melt in the Bolivian Andes, assesses the driving factors of reduced water availability and identifies key gaps in our knowledge of the Andean cryosphere. The lack of research regarding permafrost water sources in the Bolivian Andes is addressed, with focus on the potential contribution to mountain water supplies provided by rock glaciers.

Future climate warming and changes to mountain permafrost in the Bolivian Andes

“…It will be critical to establish the impact of permafrost and rock glacier recession on water supply for large urban centres such as El Alto and La Paz, especially as they lie in a region already suffering acute water scarcity (Rangecroft et al 2013). As one of South America's fastest growing cities, water stresses are expected to be amplified in La Paz by glacier recession, population increase, and projected increases in rural-to-urban migration driven by climate change and westernization of lifestyles (Vanham and Rauch 2010;Buytaert and De Bièvre 2012;Rangecroft et al 2013). These projected changes in demand combined with changes to water supplies are expected to have critical negative impacts on water security, affecting environmental, economic and social systems (Bradley et al 2006;Rangecroft et al 2013).…”

“…Water supply deficiencies are particularly acute in the dry season, when the region is reliant on meltwater for domestic use, agriculture and energy generation. It is estimated that glacial melt water provides 12-40 % of the potable water for the Bolivian capital city, La Paz (Rangecroft et al 2013). Despite this vulnerability in Bolivia, and across South America as a whole, there has been no previous research examining the implications of projected warming for the continent's mountain permafrost.…”

New observations indicate the possible presence of permafrost in North Africa (Djebel Toubkal, High Atlas, Morocco)

“…Its influence can therefore be significant for ecosystems and biodiversity, and, in some mountain areas, permafrost may have impacts on agriculture and grazing. However, permafrost research in high remote mountain regions is still in its early stages (see Rangecroft et al, 2013). In rapidly changing and sensitive mountain environments, permafrost niches can also provide special conditions allowing for the occurrence of biological refugia, which may include endemics and extremophiles of scientific significance (Hu et al, 2015;Jansson and Taş, 2014).…”

Role of Hydrological Studies for the Development of the TDPS System

“…In addition, the under-developed water infrastructure (leaking pipes and illegal water distribution pipes) and low storage capacity reduce water availability [57]. Furthermore, water sustainability and management in arid regions face new challenges, caused by climate change and glacier recession.…”

“…Surrounding the TDPS system, the Occidental and Oriental Cordilleras represent numerous glaciers at an altitude higher than 5000 m amsl, (e.g., Palomani Grande (5330 m), Illampu (6383 m), Huayna Potosí (6094 m), and Illimani (6490 m) [25]. The glacier meltwater is generally used in agriculture, water consumption, and electricity generation [57]. Glaciers in the Andes have been retreating at an increasing rate since the late 1970s.…”