Data on climate and extreme weather for the Central Andes (DECADE)
Changes in present and future climate cause new risks and challenges for people all over the world. High mountain countries like Bolivia or Peru are generally affected in a more severe way than the global average. This project aims to asses and develop quality control, break detection and homogenization methods adapted for the Central Andes.
About the project
Background
Bolivia and Peru, stretching over many climate zones, will likely be affected adversely by changes in climate and in extreme events. Adaptation strategies require specific regional climate information, e.g. on climate risks or frequencies of extreme events. However, this information is either not readily available or is not of sufficient quality. Climate data exist, but in raw format which is not suitable for decision making. What is lacking are products based on these data that serve the needs of decision makers and other stakeholders.
Objectives
The main aim of the project is to promote the provision of climate information in the Central Andes in support of decision making and climate change adaptation strategies. This is addressed through enhancing and maintaining local research capabilities in the area of climate data homogenization and analysis and through supporting the provision of climate information in an accessible form. The main focus lies on the homogenization of climate station observations from Bolivia and south-eastern Peru. The proposed project supplements existing strategies in the region in an ideal way. The project builds upon the efforts of the PPCR programme in Bolivia, which digitised climate data. Similarly, the project collaborates with the CLIMANDES project, which has a strong focus on climate services in Peru and education in the region. Through collaboration with these projects the implementation of the scientific results from this project will be facilitated.
Relevance
Communities in the South American Altiplano need information about future changes in hydrology and weather extremes. Based on such knowledge, strategies to diminish the vulnerability and adapt to new climate conditions can be taken. The climate information will be made available along with workshops targeting regional stakeholders, in which the use of such information in the decision making process is addressed.
Furthermore, the project will change and improve the scientific capacity on climate information in the region. Because the project will be carried out in an academic institution, knowledge will be transferred easily to students, other environmental scientists or professionals working with subjects related to climate, climate risk or climate change.
Geographic scope
- Bol i via
- Peru
Project information on P3