Author(s): Maria Paz Garcia; Andy Alvarado; Fredy Monje; Daniel Horna

Linked Author(s):

Keywords: Perceptions; Glacier retreat; Satellite image; Climate change; NDSI

Abstract: The Sibinacocha Glaciar Lake (SGL) is located in the upper zone of Salcca’s basin in Cusco Peru. The lake is of great importance from an economical and energetical point of view, and represents a basic source of water for the nearby population. Although the economic and social activities that depend on the SGL rely on the melting of the surrounding glaciers, the perception that the inhabitants of the area have regarding the glacial retreat in the SGL basin is still unknown. This research compares the social perceptions with the glaciar retreat in the SGL basin. The study is based on a multitemporal analysis (1992-2020) of Landsat 8 satellite images, in which, through spectral indices and manual corrections, an average retreat of 30% was estimated in the study basin. In addition, coincidences were identified between periods of retreat/ growth and periods of El Niño/La Niña events. The information related to social perceptions was collected from surveys carried out in november 2020 to 154 people from the town of Phinaya (located at 5 km from the SGL dam), the results reported that 50% of those surveyed identified a glacial retreat, 40 % expressed concern regarding the glacier retreat, while 70% identified a more acceleread retreat in recent years compared to the last two decades. The last finding was consistent with the average retreat slopes between the years 1995-2020 and 2015-2020. Finally, an analysis of the respondents background was carried out in order to find relationships between the responses to the surveys and variables such as: age, economic activity and sex.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3850/IAHR-39WC252171192022653

Year: 2022