Temporal dynamics of glacier retreat and its relationship with local climate in Cordillera Apolobamba, Peru

Abstract

Glaciers play a pivotal role as essential water sources, and monitoring their dynamics is crucial for understanding the profound impacts of climate change. This study presents a comprehensive assessment of the temporal dynamics of glacier retreat and its relationship with the local climate in Cordillera Apolobamba, Peru, spanning 1986 to 2015. Using Landsat satellite imagery and the Normalized Difference Snow Index (NDSI), we quantify changes in glacial cover at five-year intervals, starting in 1986. Additionally, we explore the climate drivers associated with these changes by analyzing local climatic data. The results reveal a remarkable and concerning trend in the temporal evolution of glacial areas in the CA. By 2015, the extent of glacial retreat had reached approximately 51.84% of the surface area estimated in 1986, with an average annual loss rate of 0.79 km²/year. This retreat corresponds to a substantial reduction in glacial volume over the study period. This study unveils direct and inverse relationships between precipitation, temperature, and the glacier retreat rate. This discerns that temperature predominantly drives the loss of glacier area, while the glacier retreat rate is conditioned by precipitation. The results provide crucial data for policymakers, stakeholders, and researchers striving to understand the intricate interplay between climate variables and glacial dynamics and their broader implications for water resource management in high-altitude regions.