Resumen

HOFFMANN, Dirk. Cambio climático y desarrollo sostenible en regiones de montaña de Bolivia. Revista Virtual REDESMA [online]. 2012, vol.6, n.1, pp. 39-45. ISSN 1995-1078.

The rise in the temperature associated with climate change is very relevant in the region of the Andes because it increases with the altitude. There are no detailed projections of future climate change for the region, but major impacts are recognizable, most notably glacial retreat, droughts, floods, fires and loss of biodiversity. With the disappearance of the glaciers the importance of wetlands to the water cycle increases. It also increases the risks in high mountain regions (ruptures of glacial lakes, slope instability, avalanches, and landslides). Detailed scientific investigations also reveal that between 10 and 15% of the population in the towns of La Paz and El Alto depend on glacier water. The most urgent task for these sites and Andes in general, is to take measures to adapt to climate change based on the ecosystem approach, and increase the resilience of ecosystems and societies.

Palabras llave : Climate change; fragile ecosystems; glaciers retreat; water cycle; wetlands; vulnerability; biodiversity; global warming; precipitation; adaptation; sustainable development.