A concerted research effort to advance the hydrological understanding of Tropical Páramos

Correa, Alicia; Ochoa‐Tocachi, B. F.; Birkel, Christian; nchez, Ana Ochoa S; Zogheib, C.; Tovar, Carolina; Buytaert, Wouter

doi:10.22541/au.158325442.27987912

Cited by 2 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…Páramo soils have a renowned capacity to store water and regulate soil water flow, which is often attributed to their unique hydro‐physical properties (Correa et al, 2020; Patiño et al, 2021). This study provided evidence of the role that vegetation plays in the hydrological functioning of the páramo ecosystems, with significant differences in pore structure, moisture content and hydraulic properties between topsoil material under cushion‐forming plants and tussock grasses.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…between the tree and snow lines. It is characterized by a humid and cold climate, low‐intensity rainfall, large diurnal fluctuations in air temperature, and intense solar radiation (Aparecido et al, 2018; Correa et al, 2020). The páramo biome acts as a ‘water tower’ in the northern Andes (Correa et al, 2020; Viviroli et al, 2007), as it supplies ecosystem services of water provision and regulation to densely populated areas in the Andean region (Buytaert, Célleri, et al, 2006; Vanacker et al, 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is characterized by a humid and cold climate, low‐intensity rainfall, large diurnal fluctuations in air temperature, and intense solar radiation (Aparecido et al, 2018; Correa et al, 2020). The páramo biome acts as a ‘water tower’ in the northern Andes (Correa et al, 2020; Viviroli et al, 2007), as it supplies ecosystem services of water provision and regulation to densely populated areas in the Andean region (Buytaert, Célleri, et al, 2006; Vanacker et al, 2018). Páramo soils, mainly Andosols and Histosols developed on volcanic rock or ash, play a primordial role in providing these services due to their high water retention (~70 and > 80% at saturation, respectively) and saturated hydraulic conductivity (10–60 mm h −1 ) (Aparecido et al, 2018; Buytaert, Célleri, et al, 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Vegetation effects on soil pore structure and hydraulic properties in volcanic ash soils of the high Andes

Páez‐Bimos

Villacís

Morales

et al. 2022

Hydrological Processes

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Soil hydraulic properties control the provision of hydrological services. Vegetation and topography influence these properties by altering soil structure and porosity. The underlying mechanisms are not yet fully understood for the high Andean region. In this study, we examined how vegetation and topographic attributes are related to soil hydraulic properties and soil pore structure in young volcanic ash soils, and further correlated them to soil texture, organic carbon, and root characteristics to explain these relationships. In a 0.7 km 2 study site located in the Andean páramo of northern Ecuador, we measured soil water retention, saturated hydraulic conductivity, bulk density (BD), and pore size distribution parameters on eight soil profiles with contrasting vegetation types (cushion-forming plants vs. tussock grasses) and topographic positions (summit vs. hillslope). We observed significant differences in soil hydraulic properties and soil pore structure in the uppermost horizons by vegetation type, whereas topography had a minor effect. In the A horizons, we found higher water retention at saturation and field capacity (10%-14%), higher total available water (8%-15%), and higher saturated hydraulic conductivity (4-12 times) under cushion-forming plants compared to tussock grasses. The elevated values under cushion plants were attributed to the presence of larger pores, lower soil BD, and higher soil organic carbon content as a result of coarser root systems. Total available water was generally high (0.34-0.40 cm 3 cm À3 ), and locally not associated with any soil property. The higher water retention in soils under cushion vegetation can enhance soil water storage for plants and the regulation of water flows during prolonged

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Vegetation effects on soil pore structure and hydraulic properties in volcanic ash soils of the high Andes

Páez‐Bimos

Villacís

Morales

et al. 2022

Hydrological Processes

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“…However, they suggest the need to increase the monitoring of the climate and hydrology of the highest areas of Colombian glaciers. Moreover, the fact that glacier melt is probably not the main hydrological driver in Colombian mountains does not mean that the disappearance of glaciers will not involve change in water quantity and quality, with important consequences for the ecology of streams and the páramos (Correa et al, 2020; Morán‐Tejeda et al, 2018; Villacis et al, 2010). This also require scientific investigation and interpretation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recent evolution of glaciers in the Cocuy‐Güican Mountains (Colombian Andes) and the hydrological implications

López‐Moreno

Rojas-Heredia²,

Ceballos

et al. 2022

Land Degrad Dev

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This study extends knowledge of the evolution of glacier shrinkage in the Cocuy-Güican Mountains since the maximum glacier extent of the Little Ice Age (LIA). Mass balance data for the Ritacuba Glacier since 2009 were acquired and compared with available data for the Conejeras Glacier (Los Nevados National Park). This study also investigated the hydrological significance of Colombian glaciers, which is still largely unknown because the available information is very limited. Glaciers in the Cocuy-Güican Mountains covered 13.2 km 2 in 2019 compared with 127.8 km 2 during the maximum LIA, representing a shrinkage of 89.7%. Analysis of glacier cover observations made in 1955, 1994, 2010, and 2019 revealed that the rate of ice loss was greatest from 1994 to 2010 (0.59 km 2 yr À1 ), and was then almost halved from 2010 to 2019 (0.34 km 2 yr À1 ). This slowing of glacier retreat is consistent with the moderate negative mass balance measured for 2009-2019, and an accumulated loss of 1766 mm w.e. (mm water equivalent).The progressive confinement of glaciers to higher elevations, ice accumulation in topographic locations providing shelter from solar radiation, and an absence of recent marked climatic anomalies could explain why the Cocuy-Güican glaciers have temporally reached a near equilibrium state conditions. This contrasts with the Conejeras Glacier, where 47,000 mm w.e. has been lost in the same period. The available data on runoff and isotope tracers of streamflow and precipitation suggest that precipitation rather than glacier melt water exerts primary control over the hydrological variability at high elevation sites.

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A concerted research effort to advance the hydrological understanding of Tropical Páramos

Cited by 2 publications

References 0 publications

Vegetation effects on soil pore structure and hydraulic properties in volcanic ash soils of the high Andes

Vegetation effects on soil pore structure and hydraulic properties in volcanic ash soils of the high Andes

Recent evolution of glaciers in the Cocuy‐Güican Mountains (Colombian Andes) and the hydrological implications

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