Enquiry question four Flashcards
How can glaciers form in tropical areas?
due to the high altitude
Why is run off from glaciers important in some areas of the world? (semi arid)
- it helps ensure supplies of drinking water, HEP, and the needs of the ecosystems
- it plays a critical role in mountain ecosystem integrity
- semi arid mountainous ecosystems are highly vulnerable to disruption of local hydrological patterns, placing subsistence agriculture and rural livelihoods at risk
CASE STUDY: Peru
holds 68% of the worlds tropical glaciers
creation of new mountain lagoons that risk flooding
growing demand of water may outstrip supply during seasonal dry periods
leading to potential socioeconomic conflicts
high andes have lost nearly 50% of glacial mass
COTACACHI GLACIER
by early 2000s —> glacier on top of this dormant volcano had disappeared
once reached 16,200 feet
one of the first Andean mountains in the past half century to completely lose its glacier (due to accelerated global warming)
final disappearance: 2005/6
CHACALTAYA GLACIER
due to impacts of climate change
in 1940 —> area of 0.22km^2
by 2007 this had been reduced to 0.01km^2
disappeared in 2009
what are the impacts on the hydrological cycle?
short term: this rapid melting has led to unsustainable net increases in runoff
issue of falling biodiversity
declines in agriculture and tourism
many almost waterless streams
seasonal water and HEP will be affected
CS: bolivian urban centers such as La Paz, El Alto rely on glacier meltwater for around 40% of their drinking supply
Quito in Ecuador has a worst situation as glacial meltwater contributes to 50% of their water supply for 2 million people
How will glacier retreat impact HEP generation?
HEP output will decrease
Ecuador relies on 50% of their power from HEP and 80% in Peru
What have modeling scenarios included?
additional streams may need to be diverted to urban areas
What are the economic costs?
-increased cost of electricity
-potential rationing of supplies
-impact of agricultural communities who depend on water
-need for a change in energy mix
-increase cost of building reservoirs for drinking water
-new types of power stations will need building
What are the social and cultural costs?
-The Andean mountains are often held as religious icons by the people
-Old methods of farming will need to be changed
-people will need to adapt to the new environments
-impacts on indigenous tribes who live in the mountains
CASE STIDY: HUARAZ, PERU
Glacier meltwater has not caused a national crisis in peru YET
rising temps and changes in water supply over last 40yrs have decimated crops, killed fish sticks and made villages question how they will survive for another generation
Peru is home to 70% of the worlds tropical glaciers, which are also found in bolivia, ecuador and chile
peru’s 18 mountain glaciers - including the worlds largest tropical ice mass - are critical to the regions water sources for drinking, irrigation and electricity
Peru has lost 56% of its tropical glaciers in the last 6 decades due to climate change 1962-2020
CASE STIDY: HUARAZ, PERU
Glacier meltwater has not caused a national crisis in peru YET
rising temps and changes in water supply over last 40yrs have decimated crops, killed fish sticks and made villages question how they will survive for another generation
Peru is home to 70% of the worlds tropical glaciers, which are also found in bolivia, ecuador and chile
peru’s 18 mountain glaciers - including the worlds largest tropical ice mass - are critical to the regions water sources for drinking, irrigation and electricity
Peru has lost 56% of its tropical glaciers in the last 6 decades due to climate change 1962-2020
