“They are drying out” : social-ecological consequences of glacier recession on mountain peatlands in Huascarán National Park, Peru

Tropical mountain peatlands, such as those in Peru's Huascarán National Park, are undergoing significant ecological transformations due to glacier recession. A 23-year remote sensing analysis revealed that these ecosystems are losing area through fragmentation and isolation, driven by shrinking glaciers and reduced stream discharge. However, precipitation may become a more dominant factor in the future. The study also found high plant diversity, with vegetation heterogeneity influenced by abiotic factors like elevation and organic matter content. Ecological oral histories from local users corroborated these findings, highlighting the interconnected social and biophysical processes affecting peatlands. The research suggests that future stewardship should involve local communities, supported by national parks and NGOs, to address these changes effectively.

Polk, M. H. (2017). “They are drying out” : social-ecological consequences of glacier recession on mountain peatlands in Huascarán National Park, Peru. University of Texas at Austin. https://doi.org/10.15781/T2Q23R50R