Swiss glacier research in Peru

On 21 March, the PASTURE project, which will explore glacier retreat in the Andes, was launched simultaneously online and live at the Alpine Museum of Switzerland in Bern. The joint project between WSL and the National Institute for Glacier and Mountain Ecosystem Research in Peru aims to assess the impact of climate change on water resources and mountain ecosystems and to facilitate countermeasures.

Beate Kittl 23.03.2022

The four-year research project "Pasture: glacial retreat and its impact on mountain ecosystems and agriculture in Peru" is being supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation with CHF 500,000. It will study the glaciers in the Cordillera Blanca in Ancash and the Cordillera Vilcanota in Cusco. Peruvian glaciers represent the largest tropical ice mass on earth and are important for the security and well-being of various communities. The project aims to understand the impact of climate change on glaciers and mountain ecosystems in order to promote food security for the local population and the sustainable development of agriculture and water resources.

The Pasture project is jointly led by Dr Francesca Pellicciotti, WSL, and Dr Beatriz Fuentealba, INAIGEM. The research team includes representatives from the National University of San Antonio Abad del Cusco (UNSAAC) and the National Water Authority (ANA).

Representatives of the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL), the National Institute for Glacier and Mountain Ecosystem Research (INAIGEM) based in Huaraz and the National University of San Antonio Abad del Cusco (UNSAAC) as well as Swiss government, academic and scientific institutions took part in the event, which was hosted by the Peruvian Embassy in Switzerland.

Livestream recording:

The event was recorded and can be accessed at the following link of the Peruvian Embassy in Switzerland: www.facebook.com/embaperusuiza