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Ítem Acceso Abierto Could artificial reoxygenation revitalize dying coastal seas?(IOP Publishing, 2026-04-24) Slomp, C. P.; Oschlies, A.; Altieri, A. H.; Bach, L. T.; Bopp, L.; Breitburg, D.; Canning, A.; Conley, D. J.; Dai, M.; Dewitte, B.; Enevoldsen, H.; Ferrer, E. M.; Galán, A.; Garcon, V.,; Gregoire, M.; Gustafsson, B.; Gutierrez, D.; Handmann, P.; Hylén, A.; Isensee, k.; Lamond, R.; Li, M.; Limburg, K.; Montes Torres, Ivonne; Sterling, J.; Tan Shau Hwai, A.; Testa, J. M.; Wallace, D.; Waniek, J. J.; Yasuhara, M.Eutrophication and global warming are key drivers of oxygen loss, also termed deoxygenation, in coastal ecosystems worldwide. Artificial reoxygenation has been suggested as a local or regional solution to increase oxygen concentrations and improve water quality by various parties, including water managers and industry. Three main approaches have been proposed: (1) bubbling with air with the aim to destratify and mix the water column (2) injection of pure oxygen and (3) pumping of oxygenated water to greater water depths (downwelling). In this review, we summarize the results of recent field trials and other implementations of artificial reoxygenation in coastal systems, which, to date, only involve small bays and estuaries. We also discuss potential benefits and risks. While the recent trials indicate that reoxygenation of the water column can be achieved, low oxygen conditions returned rapidly within days to months of discontinuing operations. This illustrates that artificial reoxygenation typically only provides a temporary solution to deoxygenation. Potential side effects of artificial reoxygenation could include enhanced emissions of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide and, upon bubbling and destratification in shallow waters, also of methane. Additionally, downwelling could lead to warming and an associated increased oxygen demand near the seafloor. Reoxygenation will not necessarily reduce the nutrient availability for phytoplankton, implying that water quality may remain poor. We recommend a careful, case-by-case assessment of the suitability of artificial reoxygenation in coastal systems prior to implementation and monitoring before, during and after each intervention. Any field trials should involve all relevant parties, including scientists and local communities, and results should be reported with full transparency. While in the short-term, artificial reoxygenation may be useful to alleviate oxygen loss in some coastal systems, long-term improvements in the oxygen levels and quality of coastal waters require reductions in nutrient inputs and greenhouse gas emissions.Ítem Acceso Abierto Knowing with the river: Situated risks of riverine communities in the Peruvian Amazon(Springer, 2026-05-26) Mendoza, Heidi D.; Valenzuela, Jonathan; Armijos Cardenas, Elisa Natalia; Van Loon, Anne F.; Rohse, Melanie; Koehler, Johanna K. L.; Mariano, Bryan Joel; Gonzalo, Bruno T. C.; Diaz, Paulo F. S.; Vasquez, Cesar P. A.; Souza, Carlos J. A.; Izaguirre, Elsa A. V.; Bazo, Juan; Anicama, JahirDominant approaches to drought and flood risk often marginalize the social and temporal dimensions of how communities experience environmental change. This study explores how three riverine communities in the Peruvian Amazon—Bajo Belén, Tamshiyacu, and El Chino—generate and act on knowledge of river dynamics to sustain livelihoods amid increasing hydrological variability. Using storytelling with 45 participants (2023–2024), and co-produced seasonal calendars, we identified risk windows or periods of heightened vulnerability when river levels misalign with local expectations. These windows provide a situated lens into how risks are interpreted and navigated through embodied, relational, and adaptive strategies. Our findings highlight the centrality of place-based knowledge and temporal attunement to sustainable adaptation, challenging technocratic risk frameworks. By reframing hydrological extremes as relational and embedded in local rhythms, the study calls for more inclusive governance that reflects the socio-cultural and ecological specificities of hydrological risks.Ítem Acceso Abierto Impacts of the future Amazon deforestation on the precipitation over the Peruvian central Andes and related atmospheric features(Elsevier, 2026-05-13) Saavedra Huanca, Miguel; Junquas, Clementine; Takahashi, Ken; Silva Vidal, Yamina; Espinoza, Jhan-Carlo; Sierra, Juan-PabloThis study investigates the impact of a 40% Amazon deforestation scenario (projected for 2050) on precipitation over the central Peruvian Andes during five austral summer seasons (DJF 2001–2006) using high-resolution (1 km) WRF simulations. While a widespread rainfall reduction pattern is observed over the Amazon-Andes transition zone, statistically significant decreases (p < 0.10) at the gridpoint level are primarily concentrated near rainfall hotspots in the Amazon-Andes transitions zone, reaching an average reduction of 12% (− 1.4 mm day− 1 ). This drying signal is physically associated with a weakening of the South American Low-Level Jet (LLJ) and reduced moisture influx, which specifically inhibits convective activity during the morning peak hours (23–11 LT). In the high-altitude Mantaro Basin, we observe a consistent drying pattern (− 5%) that extends from the transition zone; although these changes are not statistically significant due to high interannual variability, the physical signal of precipitation reduction and dry air advection remains clear. Conversely, the western Andean ridges exhibit a localized precipitation increase (up to 20%) linked to intensified cross-barrier easterly wind anomalies reinforcing diurnal anabatic circulation. We further find that while 5 km resolution captures broad basin-scale patterns, convection-permitting scales (1 km) are essential for resolving these complex topographic effects. These findings highlight a critical vulnerability concentrated along the eastern slopes and the high Andes. The identified drying patterns, which are particularly pronounced in the Andes-Amazon transition zone (a global biodiversity hotspot) and extend into the highlands, pose a significant threat to endemic ecosystems and regional water security, specifically through reservoir inflow reduction and negative impacts on agriculture.Ítem Restringido Peatland responses to climate change in the Central Peruvian Andes(Elsevier, 2026-04-06) Huaman-Navarro, Yizet E.; Turcq, Bruno; Moreira-Turcq, Patricia; Apaéstegui Campos, James Emiliano ; Garcia, Jorge Luis; Billy, Isabelle; Llanos, Romina; Willems, BramThe high central Andes have undergone significant hydroclimatic changes in recent decades, affecting ecosystems through glacier retreat, temperature variations, and shifts in precipitation type (e.g., rain, snow, and hail). Andean peatlands play a crucial role in water regulation and biogeochemical cycles and are highly sensitive to climate change. Here we reconstruct Late Holocene changes in organic matter (OM) accumulation and preservation over the last ~2500 years in a peatland of the south-central Peruvian Andes (4210 m a.s.l.) using the 96- cm APA01 core. We integrate bulk organic geochemistry with continuous X-ray fluorescence (XRF) core scanning, centered log-ratio (clr) transformation, principal component analysis (PCA), and accumulation-rate estimates. A key finding is the close temporal coherence between peat PC1-clr (a proxy for OM dynamics) and the decadal snow accumulation record from Quelccaya Ice Cap, indicating that peat carbon dynamics closely track the regional high-elevation moisture balance. Dry phases such as the Medieval Climate Anomaly (MCA) coincide with reduced OM accumulation, whereas cooler and wetter conditions during the Little Ice Age (LIA) favor enhanced OM preservation. Warming phases, such as the MCA, after LIA, and recent decades, showed high clastic mineral input possibly linked to an increased proportion of rain-to-snow precipitation and land use. These results highlight the sensitivity of Andean peatlands to hydroclimatic variability and underscore the vulnerability of their carbon storage and hydrological functions under ongoing climate change.Ítem Acceso Abierto A Machine Learning‐Based Dynamic SST Index for Long‐ Lead Malaria Prediction in the Peruvian Amazon(Wiley, 2026-01) Pan, Mengxin; Hu, Shineng; Janko, Mark M.; Zaitchik, Benjamin F.; Takahashi, Ken; Lescano, Andres G.; Munayco, Cesar V.; Pan, William K.Malaria imposes a major health burden in the Peruvian Amazon, and its early warning is essential for effective disease prevention. The tropical sea surface temperature (SST) variability, fundamentally shaping the global weather patterns, may also alter malaria transmission and potentially improve its long‐lead predictability. In this study, we propose a machine learning‐based methodology that leverages comprehensive tropical SST variability for malaria prediction in the Peruvian Amazon. First, we demonstrate that significant correlations broadly exist between tropical SST anomalies and Peruvian malaria occurrence across different seasons and time lags, confirming the potential predictability from the tropical ocean. Then, we apply the self‐ organizing map to synthesize the spatiotemporally varying SST‐malaria relationship and identify a unique dynamic SST index for Peruvian malaria. The dynamic SST index provides better performance (higher correlation coefficients and lower root mean square errors) in the generalized linear model, compared to the traditional El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) index, with lead times exceeding 3 months. Furthermore, the dynamic SST index captures the evolution of the ENSO life cycle from its precursor climate mode (Pacific Meridional Mode) and appears to influence Peruvian malaria by altering the local near‐surface air temperature and specific humidity. Such underlying mechanisms provide the physically plausible basis for the long‐lead predictability of Peruvian malaria using a machine learning‐based remote predictor. Last but not least, we provide open‐source code for broad applications in linking tropical SST variability and vector‐borne disease transmission, or other climate‐sensitive socioeconomic issues.Ítem Acceso Abierto Superficial Urban Heat Island in the City of Santos, Brazil(Technoscience Publications, 2025-12-01) Angeles Suazo, Julio; Angeles Vasquez, Roberto; Lavado Meza, Carmencita; Angeles Suazo, Nataly; de la Cruz Cerrón, Leonel; Meza Mitma, Pabel; Flores Rojas, José Luis; Abi Karam, HugoThis contribution estimates the intensity of Urban Heat Island (UHI) during the period 2001 - 2020 for the city of Santos (CS), located in São Paulo, Brazil. The formation of the Surface Urban Heat Island (SUHI) was quantified from 2 methods: the first was Streutker’s method, which adjusts the surface soil temperature (LST) (urban and rural surface) to a Gaussian surface. The second, the quantile method proposed by Jose Flores, uses the difference between the 0.95 quantile of the LST of the urban area and the median of the LST of the rural area. Both methods use remote sensing data of LST at 0.05° resolution, obtained from the MODIS sensor on board the TERRA and AQUA satellites. In general, the quantile method can be used as a complementary analysis to the Streutker method for cities with high LST. The results of the CS analysis, during diurnal periods, indicate maximum values in May (5.09°C) and minimum values in August (3.87°C). During the night period, it presented maximum values in February (3.94°C) and minimum values in August (2.40°C) with the quantile method, and due to its proximity to the Small Ocean, the Streutker method presents interferences.Ítem Acceso Abierto Assessing environmental and anthropogenic drivers for the occurrence and extent of fires in high Andean Grasslands(Taylor & Francis, 2025-12-18) Gutierrez Flores, Ivon; Mercado, Angela; Zubieta Barragán, Ricardo; Beltrán, Pablo; Oyague, EduardoThe grasslands of the southern Andes are critical ecosystems for the rural population, but they have been significantly affected by fires. While fire ignitions are anthropogenic, their occurrence and spread are shaped by climatic, vegetational, and topographic factors. This study identified the main environmental and human drivers of fire occur rence and extent in high Andean grasslands. We developed generalized linear models with 14 and 22 variables for the fire occurrence and extent model, respectively. Various metrics (e.g. AIC, AUC, pseudo-R²) were applied to validate the best-performing model and assess its performance. Our findings suggest that elevation, maximum temperature, soil adjusted vegetation index, and topographic position index are the primary drivers of fire occurrence. For fire extent, grass cover, elevation, topographic position index, and rock cover were the most influential factors. The models explained 21% and 60% of the variability in fire occurrence and extent, respectively. This study identifies key environmental factors influencing fire occurrence and extent, providing valuable insights for improving fire management strategies, particularly in fire-prone ecosystems such as grasslands. Since the temperature was a contributing factor to fire occurrence, this highlights the importance of prevention and reduction strategies in the context of climate change.Ítem Acceso Abierto Characterization of the Optical Properties of Biomass-Burning Aerosols in Two High Andean Cities, Huancayo and La Paz, and Their Effect on Radiative Forcing(MDPI, 2025-10-25) Victoria Barros, César; Estevan Arredondo, RenéAtmospheric aerosols are known to alter the Earth’s radiative balance and influence climate. However, accurately quantifying the magnitude of aerosol-induced radiative forcing remains challenging. We characterize optical properties of biomass-burning (BB) and non-biomass-burning (NB) aerosols and quantify BB aerosol radiative forcing at two AERONET (AErosol RObotic NETwork) sites in Huancayo (Peru) and La Paz (Bolivia) during 2015–2021. From AERONET data, we derive aerosol optical depth (AOD), Ångström exponent (AE), single-scattering albedo (SSA), and asymmetry parameter (ASY). We then employ the SBDART model to calculate aerosol radiative forcing (ARF) on monthly and multiannual timescales. BB aerosols peak in September (AOD: 0.230 at Huancayo; 0.235 at La Paz), while NB aerosols reach maxima in September at Huancayo (0.109) and November at La Paz (0.104). AE values exceeding unity for BB aerosols indicate fine-mode dominance. Huancayo exhibited the highest BB ARF in November: +16.4 W m−2 at the top of the atmosphere (TOA), –18.6 W m−2 at the surface (BOA), and +35.1 W m−2 within the atmospheric column (ATM). This was driven by elevated AOD and high scattering efficiency. At La Paz, where SSA data was only available for September, BBARF values were also significant (+15.16 at TOA, –17.52 at BOA, and +32.73 W m−2 within the ATM). This result underscores the importance of quantifying the ARF, particularly over South America where data is scarce.Ítem Restringido Simulating Stratiform Precipitation With Embedded Convection in High‐Elevation Valleys Using LES: The Role of Topographic Detail(John Wiley and Sons, 2025-12-16) Chávez, Steven Paul; Flores Rojas, José Luis; Takahashi, Ken; Silva Vidal, YaminaPrecipitation dynamics in high‐elevation valleys of the central Andes are strongly modulated by complex terrain, which alters local circulation and cloud development. Here, we use the Cloud Model 1 (CM1) in large‐eddy simulation (LES) mode with a two‐moment microphysics scheme to examine the role of topographic detail on the spatial distribution of precipitation in the Mantaro Valley, Peru. Three terrain resolutions (450, 1,050, and 1,650 m) were tested under identical thermodynamic conditions derived from in situ soundings. In all cases, anabatic winds transported moisture upslope, but the fine‐resolution case generated larger amounts of ice, snow, and graupel within vortical structures, yielding rainfall that matched Ka‐band radar reflectivity profiles. In contrast, smoother terrains delayed cloud formation by 30–60 min and reduced ice‐phase particle production, confining precipitation to the eastern slopes. Wind vortex analysis revealed smaller upper level eddies (above 2 km AGL) in the high‐resolution case, promoting enhanced mixing and hydrometeor growth. These results demonstrate that subtle variations in terrain detail critically influence convection and stratiform precipitation processes in Andean valleys, underscoring the need for subkilometer representation of topography in high‐mountain rainfall modeling.Ítem Restringido Improved spatial representation of precipitation and air surface temperature over highlands of the southern tropical Andes (Lake Titicaca region) during an austral summer using the WRF model(Elsevier, 2025-10-15) Llacza, A.; Paredes, J.; Llamocca, J.; Saavedra Huanca, Miguel; Fita, L.; Ruiz, C.; Junquas, C.Due to its complex topography, the Lake Titicaca region, located in the southern tropical Andes, presents great challenges for atmospheric modeling. This study aims to improve the representation of precipitation and air surface temperature using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model at high spatial resolution (2 km), during the austral summer of 2020. We conducted 11 experiments with different configurations of topography, land use, physical parameterizations, and lake surface temperature (LST). Each experiment was evaluated considering in-situ data from the Peruvian-Bolivian region and gridded precipitation products. For precipitation, the best configuration, with an average bias close to zero mm, includes using the GMTED2010 topography (not smoothed) and the land use data of Eva et al. (2004), along with the Purdue Lin microphysics and the Grell 3D cumulus scheme. For air temperature, the best configuration, which showed an average underestimation between 0 and − 0.5 °C, included the same topography and land use, along with the parameterization of the SENAMHI Operational Model (SOM), including the WRF Single Moment 3 microphysics and the Kain-Fritsch cumulus scheme. In the last experiment, the sea surface temperature (SST) was updated, resulting in an average LST increase of +1.8 °C over Lake Titicaca. This resulted in an increase in the precipitation bias (82.2 %) due to increased evaporation and convection over the lake and decreased southwestward moisture transport. These results highlight the sensitivity of the WRF model to parameterization choices and SST forcing data, emphasizing the importance of any changes in these variables.Ítem Acceso Abierto Forecasting austral summer precipitation along the western coast of South America (WCSA)(IOP Publishing, 2025-10-15) Sulca Jota, Juan Carlos; Takahashi, KenForecasting precipitation could help prevent flooding and drought disasters along the western coast of South America (WCSA), stretching from northern Peru to Ecuador. This study constructed a multiple linear regression (MLR) model to forecast precipitation anomalies with high spatial resolution across WCSA during the austral summer (December-January-February, DJF) for the period 1982–2023. The predictors of the MLR model are the central and eastern Pacific El Niño (C and E) and the central and east Pacific Intertropical Convergence Zone (CPITCZ and EPITCZ) indices. Furthermore, we readjusted the MLR model using forecasts from the Geophysical Fluid Dynamic Model (GFDL) model from the Seamless System for prediction and Earth System Research (SPEAR) called the GFDL-SPEAR (MLRGFDL-SPEAR) as predictors. The MLR model predicts DJF precipitation anomalies across WCSA because the E, CPITCZ and EPITCZ indices strongly correlate with DJF WCSA precipitation due to their influence on atmospheric circulation to trigger deep convection over far-eastern Pacific Ocean. The MLROBS model exhibits the highest performance over most WCSA (r > 0.6, p < 0.05), except along the coast of Ecuador and the Peru-Ecuador border by present high root mean square error values (above 20 mm month−1). The GFDL-SPEAR model provides more accurate forecasts of the DJF time series for the CPITCZ index than for the E and EPITCZ indices, due to Central Pacific ITCZ responses linearly to warm SST anomalies over western Pacific Ocean and it realistically simulates DJF precipitation patterns over Southern Pacific Ocean and Peru.Ítem Restringido Extreme Precipitation Events Associated with Summer Rains in the Western Slope of the Peruvian Andes Using a Numerical Modeling and Weather Radar Data: Case Studies(Springer, 2025-09-27) Moya Álvarez, Aldo Saturnino; Silva Vidal, Yamina; Villalobos Puma, Elver Edmundo; Saavedra Huanca, Miguel; Del Castillo Velarde, Carlos; Kumar, Shailendra; Valdivia Prado, Jairo MichaelPrecipitation forecasting is a challenge in general for any part of the world, but in Lima it is particularly difficult due to its unusual nature and the mechanisms that can generate it. So, it is of great interest to study the mechanisms that generate it when it exceeds historical averages. This work analyzes the synoptic and local circulation conditions that gave rise two precipitation events over the Rimac river basin, in order to characterize the physical processes related to those events. In the first case, the rain affected the city of Lima, while in the second case the precipitation occurred mainly in the upper part of the basin. In the investigation, surface precipitation measurements, weather radar and satellite information, as well as the WRF (Weather Research and Forecasting) model outputs were used. For the analysis of the synoptic-scale general circulation prevailing during both events, data from the Global Forecast System were used (GFS). As a result, the role played by the humid Eastern Amazon flow was confirmed, but in this case, the important role played by the local circulation of sea daytime breezes and its interaction with Amazon flow. Associated with this interaction, the presence of gravity waves and their importance in strengthening cloud systems was observed. At the same time, it was detected that the daytime sea breeze does not change direction during the night, as it generally does, but it stays from the sea towards the land, although somewhat weaker. The weakening of the Eastern flow from the Amazon was observed to be related to the retreat to the east of the ridge of the South Atlantic Anticyclone. Also, the importance of anticyclonic circulation at high levels over the region was confirmed. At the same time, it was found that the WRF model acceptably describes the mechanisms of formation of these events.Ítem Acceso Abierto Impact of Extreme Droughts on the Water Balance in the Peruvian–Ecuadorian Amazon Basin (2003–2024)(MDPI, 2025-10-23) Martínez Castro, Daniel; Espinoza, Jhan Carlo; Takahashi, Ken; Andrade, Miguel Octavio; Herrera, Dimitris A.; Centella-Artola, Abel; Apaéstegui Campos, James Emiliano; Armijos Cardenas, Elisa Natalia; Gutiérrez, Ricardo; Wongchuig, Sly; Silva Vidal, YaminaThis study assesses the impact of extreme droughts on the surface and atmospheric water balance of the Peruvian Amazon basin during 2003–2024. It extends previous work by incorporating multiple datasets for precipitation (CHIRPS, MSWEP, and ERA5) and evapotranspiration (ERA5, GLDAS, Amazon-Paca, and observations from the Quistococha flux tower) and comparing three drought indices: Maximum Cumulative Water Deficit (MCWD), Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI), and self-calibrated Palmer Drought Severity Index (scPDSI). The study focuses on the Peruvian–Ecuadorian Amazon basin, particularly on the Amazon and Madre de Dios river basins, closing at Tamshiyacu and Amaru Mayu stations, respectively. The results confirm four extreme drought years (2004–2005, 2009–2010, 2022–2023, and 2023–2024) with major precipitation deficits in dry seasons and significant reductions in runoff and total water storage anomalies (TWSAs), physically manifesting as negative surface balances indicating net terrestrial water depletion and negative atmospheric balances reflecting reduced moisture convergence, with residuals signaling hydrological uncertainties. The study highlights significant imbalances in the water cycle during droughts and underscores the need to use multiple indicators and datasets to accurately assess hydrological responses under extreme climatic conditions in the Amazon basin.Ítem Acceso Abierto Impact of the Suspension of a Metallurgical Complex: SO₂ Analysis and Vegetation Restoration Through Remote Sensing(Wiley, 2025-09-24) Cano, Deyvis; Peñaloza, Richard; Cacciuttolo, Carlos; Mora Kuplich, Tatiana; Ramírez, Dámaso W.; Suárez-Salas, LuisSulfur dioxide (SO₂) pollution significantly threatens ecosystems and public health, particularly in highly industrialized regions. This study evaluates the impact of suspending activities at the La Oroya Metallurgical Complex (CMLO, by its Spanish acronym), one of the most relevant historical sources of SO₂ pollution in the Central Andes of Peru. Using remote sensing data (MODIS and Ozone Monitoring Instrument [OMI]), temporal and spatial trends in the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and SO₂ concentrations were analyzed from 2000 to 2019. The results show an average reduction of 82.18% in SO₂ after the CMLO was stopped, accompanied by a significant positive increase in the NDVI trend (p < 0.05), which shows a recovery of the vegetation in surrounding areas. Vegetation regeneration showed marked spatial patterns to the southwest and southeast of the CMLO, influenced by the dispersion of pollutants through prevailing winds. However, the moderate relationship between the decrease in SO₂ and NDVI (R² = 0.10) suggests the influence of additional factors, such as the historical accumulation of heavy metals, water scarcity, and the specific characteristics of high Andean soils and vegetation.Ítem Acceso Abierto Urban heat island in the city of Brasilia: A multi-method analysis(Lublin University of Technology, 2025-10-01) Angeles-Vasquez, Roberto; Angeles-Suazo, Julio; Lavado Meza, Carmencita; Gutiérrez-Collao, Jairo Edson; Meza-Mitma, Pabel Mariano; Cruz-Cerron, Leonel de la; Flores Rojas, José Luis; Abi Karam, Hugo; Angeles-Suazo, NatalyCurrently, cities are experiencing increased urbanization and population density, leading to an increase in natural areas covered by paved and built-up areas, with a very rapid rate of urban expansion, as in the case of the capital Brasilia, Brazil. This has led to changes in local climates, increasing land surface temperature (LST) and causing an effect known as the Surface Urban Heat Island (SUHI) directly related to natural vegetation and urban and rural areas— which has become a major challenge for societies around the world due to its implications for public health and the environment. In this regard, the objective was to compare the temporal variation (2001-2016) of the SUHI in the Metropolitan Region of Brasilia (MRG) with MODIS satellite images, using the quantile method and Streutker method. The results indicate a maximum daytime SUHI in January (3.08 °C) and minimum in July (1.51 °C); the nighttime SUHI had maximums in July (2.36 °C) and minimums in April (1.72 °C). The Quantile-Streutker correlation ≈ 0.10, highlighting the usefulness of the quantile method for cities with different maximum temperature centers on a non-Gaussian surface.Ítem Acceso Abierto Rethinking the agricultural use of fire and its influence on the occurrence of wildfire in high Andean communities of Cusco, Peru(Elsevier, 2025-10-01) Alvarez, Sigrid; Martínez Grimaldo, Alejandra; Zubieta Barragán, Ricardo; Ccanchi, YersonThe use of fire in agriculture has been a fundamental practice since early human societies, playing a key role in land preparation, weed control, and soil fertility management. In the Peruvian Andes, fire remains widely employed by rural communities, despite strict legal prohibitions aimed at reducing wildfire occurrence. However, statistical evidence demonstrates that these punitive policies have failed to curb wildfires, which have instead increased in frequency. This study critically examines the agricultural use of fire in high Andean communities of Cusco, Peru, exploring its socio-cultural, economic, and environmental dimensions. Through ethnographic research and qualitative methodologies, the study identifies the motivations behind fire use, traditional fire-management practices, local and institutional perceptions, and community responses to wildfires. Findings reveal that fire is an indispensable agricultural tool, deeply embedded in rural livelihoods. The study also highlights the inadequacy of current fire management policies, which rely primarily on prohibition and emergency response without offering viable alternatives for smallholder farmers. To address this gap, the study proposes a paradigm shift in fire governance, advocating for a more inclusive and sustainable approach. Key recommendations include integrating prescribed burning, implementing incentive-based compensation schemes, and strengthening local governance structures. Additionally, the study underscores the necessity of qualitative research in informing quantitative analyses of wildfire occurrence, ensuring that policy interventions are grounded in local realities. Ultimately, rethinking the agricultural use of fire is not only an environmental concern but also a social and economic imperative for high Andean communities.Ítem Acceso Abierto Extreme Droughts in the Peruvian Amazon Region (2000–2024)(MDPI, 2025-06-10) Martínez Castro, Daniel; Takahashi, Ken; Espinoza, Jhan Carlo; Vichot-Llano, Alejandro; Andrade, Miguel Octavio; Silva Vidal, YaminaDroughts in the Amazon region are expected to increase in frequency and intensity, which would negatively affect the tropical forest, leading to a positive climate–forest feedback loop that could potentially result in the collapse of this ecosystem. In this study, extreme drought conditions were identified in the Peruvian Amazon region for the period 2000–2024 using the maximum cumulative water deficit (MCWD) index, which is related to the tropical forest water stress. The ERA5, CHIRPS, and MSWEP datasets were used to estimate precipitation, while ERA5 data were used for evapotranspiration. This study focuses on the specificities of droughts and the differences across study areas. Six study areas were specified, three of them located in the Loreto department (northern Peruvian Amazon), another centered in Moyobamba city (western Peruvian Amazon), another in Ucayali, in the central Peruvian Amazon, and the other in Madre de Dios (southern Peruvian Amazon). It was found that the drought events are more frequent and intense in the central and southern regions of the basin. Based on the combined effect of the regional severity of the drought and its spatial extent, estimated from averaging across study areas and precipitation datasets, we identified the hydrological years of 2023-24, 2022-23, 2009-10, and 2004-05 as extreme droughts and 2015-16 and 2006-07 as moderate droughts.Ítem Acceso Abierto Surface energy exchanges and stability conditions associated with convective intense rainfall events on the central Andes of Peru(Elsevier, 2025-06-15) Flores Rojas, José Luis; Guizado-Vidal, David A.; Valdivia Prado, Jairo Michael; Silva Vidal, Yamina; Villalobos-Puma, Elver; Suárez Salas, Luis; Mata-Adauto, Zenón; Abi Karam, HugoThis study presents an in-depth analysis of precipitation patterns, surface energy balance (SEB) components, and atmospheric vertical gradients (AVG) in the Huancayo Geophysical Observatory (HYGO) situated in an agricultural region inside the Mantaro valley within the central Andes of Peru, utilizing data from January 2018 to April 2022 and climatic-scale data from 1965 to 2018. Our findings reveal distinct daily and seasonal precipitation patterns, with peak occurrences in the late afternoon and early evening hours, and a pronounced seasonal variation aligning with dry and rainy periods. Analysis of 21 intense precipitation events linked to convective activity offers crucial insights for weather forecasting and disaster preparedness. These events were identified using in situ gauge pluviometers, the MIRA-35c vertical profiler radar and GPM-IMERG rainfall products. The turbulent energy fluxes: sensible (Qₕ) and latent (Qₑ) were estimated using the aerodynamic flux-gradient method and the ground heat flux to the surface was estimated with the scheme of Foken and Napo. Moreover, the study evaluates the efficacy of the Advanced Regional Prediction System (ARPS) model in analyzing turbulent energy fluxes during these events. A comparison with the bulk aerodynamic method indicated underestimations and overestimations by the ARPS model in predicting Qₕ and Qₑ, respectively, necessitating focused calibration and updates in satellite-derived data. Key observations include significant increases in Qe and horizontal momentum flux (𝜏) before convective precipitation events, marking them as potential precursor variables. Additionally, notable decreases in water vapor mixing ratio vertical gradient (WMVG) and Richardson number (RIN), along with increases in horizontal wind gradient (HWVG), suggest changes in surface moisture fluxes and boundary layer dynamics, crucial for convective rainfall initiation. This comprehensive analysis underscores the importance of understanding atmospheric dynamics for improved prediction and preparedness strategies in the face of climatic variability.Ítem Acceso Abierto A nationwide dataset of stable isotopes in meteoric and terrestrial water across Peru(Springer, 2025-07-12) Romero, Carol; Apaéstegui Campos, James EmilianoWater Stable Isotopes (δ18O, δ2H) are valuable tools for tracing sources and interactions in the water cycle, providing important information dedicated to understanding physical mechanisms related to global climate. Despite their significance, the topic of isotopic research in South America has been hindered by limited data. To address this gap, we launched a national-level water stable isotope dataset covering different water sources in Peru (WSI-PeruDB). The dataset contains curated in-house data and incorporates previously published records from various locations collected between 2000 and 2021. The WSIPeruDB dataset is composed of 489 water collection sites and allows a comprehensive use of the dataset by implementing standardized metadata templates containing essential geographical information such as latitude, longitude, and altitude (from sea level to 5000 m a.s.l), and sampling information such as sample type (e.g. groundwater, precipitation, river, spring, and others) and sampling frequency (e.g. biweekly, daily, monthly). The WSIPeruDB dataset is publicly available on Zenodo, facilitating access and use for the scientific community.Ítem Acceso Abierto Influence of local topographic structures on the atmospheric mechanisms related to the Andean-Amazon rainiest zone(Elsevier, 2025-03-16) Gutierrez-Villarreal, Ricardo A.; Junquas, Clémentine; Espinoza, Jhan Carlo; Baby, Patrice; Armijos Cardenas, Elisa NataliaThe Andes-Amazon transition region features critically important ecological services on the local, regional and global scales. This region is among the rainiest zones in the world, with rainfall rates of up to 7000 mm/year. However, the physical mechanisms leading to the existence of these “precipitation hotspots” remain poorly known. Here, we attempt to disentangle the controlling atmospheric mechanisms exerted by local topographic structures that started to uplift about 5–10 million years ago in response to the Nazca Ridge subduction, in the vicinity of the Quincemil hotspot, the most intense of them. We first use the Weather Research and Forecasting model to conduct sensitivity tests to planetary boundary layer parameterizations at 5 km horizontal grid spacing during the austral summer of 2012–13. After finding the most suitable configuration in terms of the diurnal cycle of rainfall intensity and extent, we further perform topographic sensitivity tests by reducing the Fitzcarrald Arch lowlands and, on top of it, by removing the Camisea mountain. The Fitzcarrald Arch deflects moisture flux towards Quincemil, while the Camisea mountain induces local vortical circulations that increase moisture transport, convergence and rainfall over Quincemil, ultimately controlling its location and intensity by up to 40 %. When reducing the height of the Andes in half, we find that it sustains the development of precipitation hotspots, accounting for up to 60 % of rainfall, by providing a mechanical forcing to increase regional-scale moisture fluxes. Such mechanisms dominate during nighttime, when rainfall peaks in the region, and might explain the existence of the rainiest zone in the Andes-Amazon transition.