Contribution of glacier melt to domestic water use and irrigated area
The decreasing amount of glacial meltwater, coupled with other climate change predictions, population growth, urbanisations trends, the growing importance of export-oriented largescale agriculture, mining, energy and electricity – all point to increasing needs and competition for water resources in the Andean countries (Drenkhan et al., 2015). Results from several studies (such as Carey et al., 2017; Rasmussen, 2016; Buytaert & Bièvre, 2012) highlight that demographic changes in the Andean countries – for example population growth – are likely to be more important for future water scenarios and adaptation strategies than reduced water resources as a result of climate change. This also emphasises the need for adaptation strategies to water stress and scarcity, irrespective of glacial melting trends and future precipitation scenarios (Vuille et al., 2018).
Year: 2019
From collection: The Andean Glacier and Water Atlas
Cartographer: Riccardo Pravettoni