Abstract
Through a temperature index modelling survey, the evolution of runoff from Zongo glacier at the Cordillera Real close to La Paz has been simulated with regards to different climate scenarios. Zongo glacier is one of the region’s most important glaciers in terms of hydropower generation. According to the model results, the glacier is expected to accelerate in its retreat and might disappear completely between 2030 and 2090. During the glacier’s melting phase, runoff is modelled to temporarily increase due to the depletion of water storage. In the following, a drastic decline of discharge is expected. Especially during the dry season, this effect will greatly challenge hydropower generation, drinking water supply and irrigation in the area. Awareness raising and the fast implementation of adaptation strategies are identified to be of highest priority in order to maintain, or, at best, improve the area’s water supply system. As a conclusion, it is especially recommended to implement private water storage systems, to promote water conserving measures including more effective irrigation and to quickly find sustainable alternatives for power generation.
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Jeschke, M., Popp, A., Lotze-Campen, H. (2012). Adaptation Options to Climate-Induced Glacier Retreat in Bolivia. In: Edenhofer, O., Wallacher, J., Lotze-Campen, H., Reder, M., Knopf, B., Müller, J. (eds) Climate Change, Justice and Sustainability. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-4540-7_18
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