Data-driven decisions for water management
Leveraging Data and Socio-Economic Insights to Enhance Adaptive Water Management
Background
Mountains are vital sources of water for both human and environmental needs worldwide, with mountain glaciers playing a particularly crucial role in regions where precipitation is highly seasonal. In the tropical Andes, for example, glacier melt can account for up to 50% of water availability during the dry season, supporting local economies, livelihoods, and cultural practices. However, climate change and socio-economic shifts threaten these delicate systems, raising concerns about future water scarcity. Despite significant research efforts in the Peruvian Andes to understand the impacts of climate change on water resources, the integration of natural and social factors remains limited. This gap in understanding hampers the development of effective water management strategies, especially in data-scarce regions where uncertainties about water availability and demand are high.
Objectives
The primary objective of this research is to enhance the understanding and implementation of adaptive water management in the Peruvian Andes, particularly in regions with limited data. The study focuses on robustly estimating water availability, analyzing the socio-economic factors influencing water access, and addressing the deep uncertainties that complicate water management. By applying a combination of glacio-hydrological modeling and socio-economic analysis, the research aims to provide actionable insights and frameworks that can inform policy and decision-making. Ultimately, the goal is to contribute to the broader field of water management by developing strategies that are resilient to the uncertainties posed by climate and socio-economic changes.