Introduction

Synthesis of the Physical and Socio-Political Aspects of Hydrological Research in the Páramo

The objective of this project is to synthesize the current status of knowledge regarding the effects of land cover and climate change on the hydrological functioning and linked social and economic outcomes in high elevation Andean páramo grasslands from Perú to Venezuela.

Synthesis of the Physical and Socio-Political Aspects of Hydrological Research in the Páramo

Páramo grasslands near Cuenca, Ecuador.

 

The Páramo is important for water as well as central for the livelihoods and culture of many communities in the Andes. This is a photo from community interviews in 2011. My binoculars were a hit.

SPONSOR:
Conéctate-A+ small grants program

PROJECT PERIOD:
2020 – 2021

PROJECT PI:
Giovanny Mosquera, CO-PIs: Leah Bremer, Patricio Crespo, Rolando Célleri, Ana Ochoa, and Jan Feyen

ABSTRACT:
Mountain regions around the world are recognized as providers of essential hydrological services to both surrounding and downstream human settlements. In the tropical Andes and the highlands of Central America, the páramo (or tropical alpine ecosystem) is the major—and in some cases the only—source of water that helps sustain the socio-economic development of the region. These tropical “water towers” situated above the tree line and below the snow line (3,000 and 5,000 m above sea level) support the provision of high-quality water that supplies domestic, industrial, agricultural, recreational, and hydropower energy demands for millions of people. Thus, obtaining a holistic understanding on the hydrological functioning of this ecosystem and how it controls the delivery of hydrological services will improve the conservation and management of the water resources in the region. The objective of this project is to synthesize the current status of knowledge regarding the hydrological functioning of the páramo and linked social and economic outcomes. The proposed synthesis will help support páramo protection and conservation, the development of improved water management policies, and the improvement of sanitation and the well-being of the region inhabitants through the sustainable provision of clean water.

Project Publications:

(from previous projects in the páramo):

Bremer, L.L., K.A. Farley, and D. Lopéz-Carr. 2014. Conservation and livelihood outcomes of payment for ecosystem services in the Ecuadorian Andes: what is the potential for win-win? Ecosystem Services 8:148–165.

Bremer, L.L., K.A. Farley, and D. Lopéz-Carr. 2014. What factors influence participation in Payment for Ecosystem Services programs? An evaluation of Ecuador’s SocioPáramo program. Land Use Policy, 36:122–133.

Bremer, L.L., K.A. Farley, N. Demaagd, E. Suárez, D.C. Tandalla, S. Vasco, T. Patricio, M. Vásconez. 2019. Biodiversity outcomes of payment for ecosystem services : lessons from páramo grasslands. Biodivers. Conserv. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-019-01700-3

Bremer, L.L., K.A. Farley, O.A. Chadwick, and C.P. Harden. 2016. Changes in carbon storage with land management promoted by payment for ecosystem services. Environmental Conservation 43:397–40

Farley K.A., L.L. Bremer, and C.P. Harden. 2012. Changes in carbon storage under alternative land uses in biodiverse Andean grasslands: implications for payment for ecosystem services. Conservation Letters 6(1): 21–27.

Farley K.A., W.G. Anderson, L.L. Bremer, and C.P. Harden. 2011. Compensation for ecosystem services: an evaluation of efforts to achieve conservation and development in Ecuadorian páramo grasslands. Environmental Conservation 38(4): 1–13.

Farley, K.A., and L.L. Bremer. 2017. “Water Is Life”: Local Perceptions of Páramo Grasslands and Land Management Strategies Associated with Payment for Ecosystem Services. Annals of the American Association of Geographers 4452:1–11.

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR