Peru

Enhancing the sustainable use of of natural resources in the Ocoña basin, Peru

The Ocoña river basin lies in the South-western Andes of Peru, covering an area of 16,322 km² and extending from sea level to 6,445 m above sea level. Most of the 70.000 people live in poverty. A one degree temperature rise has caused accelerated retreat of the glaciers. Precipitation in the wet months has decreased significantly. This project aims to assess how climate change will influence the regional hydrological system and to propose measures to reduce the negative impacts on the population and the ecosystems.

Local action

The effectiveness of several adaptation measures is being evaluated, including the storage of water in highland wetlands (bofedales), storing water in small scale reservoirs, improvements in irrigation practices (drip irrigation), the introduction of drought resistant crops and the potential effect of the preservation of native forests on groundwater storage.

Also the knowledge that is developed on climate change, vulnerabilities and adaptive possibilities is used to strengthen the so called consultation tables, used to structure interactions between stakeholder groups in the basin.

Successes

The retreat of the Coropuna glacier is monitored in conjunction with the National Institute of Glaciology. Parallel, local partner AEDES studies the perception of local households on their vulnerability to climate change and maps socioeconomic effects of climate change on the major ecosystems.

The project works together with villagers in protecting the forest of Polylepis trees. Together with the District 4 micro-dams in the headwaters of the Ocoña Basin are constructed. ADAPTS is also active with projects in two other countries, one in Botswana (with the SADC) and one in Brazil (with Vitae Civilis).

Publications

Synthesis report Peru

Factsheet Peru version March 2011

Peru