Rescue and preservation of High Andean wetlands
High Andean wetlands play an important role in storing and regulating water flowing downstream, provide pasture for domestic livestock, provide plant fiber, food and fuel to local communities, sequester a large percentage of carbon, and represent an invaluable cultural heritage. Despite their great value, human activities over the centuries, along with mining and climate change, affect the balance of life in these ecosystems and the communities that depend on them for their livelihoods.
Context and scope of intervention:
The High Andean region is of strategic importance to more than 100 million people in several nations. Located at the top of some of the most important river systems in the region, the high Andean wetlands store and regulate water flowing downstream, provide pasture for domestic livestock, supply plant fiber, food and fuel to local communities, sequester carbon, and represent an invaluable cultural heritage. Despite their great value, human activities over the centuries, along with mining and climate change, affect the balance of life in these ecosystems and the communities that depend on them for their livelihoods.
The importance of high Andean ecosystems is so far only half understood; despite their role in regulating climate and especially water, the Cusco wetlands do not capture the attention of academia or public policy makers. For this reason, the project seeks to protect and clearly identify the areas that require effective measures to conserve the characteristics of this fragile ecosystem by implementing the following actions:
Targets:
Establishment of camelid grazing and management plans as well as generation of bofedales management and restoration plans.
Implementation of better grazing management practices agreed upon with local people and the establishment of agreements with adjacent communities to implement more sustainable management practices for the wetlands.
Creation of the Qeros Wetlands Knowledge Platform and Advisory Committee. Organization of webinars, forums and international conferences.
Compilation of solid evidence of the importance of high altitude wetlands in providing water to the city of Cusco and promote their conservation.
Establishment of a Private Conservation Area.
Strategic Allies:
- National University San Antonio Abad del Cusco.
- Local non-governmental organization – Cusco.
- Provincial Municipality of Paucartambo.
- Communities of the Q’ero Nation.