Agrometeorology in Bolivia
Agrometeorology in Bolivia
Bolivia
is one of South America’s most natural disaster-prone nations. Deforestation
and erosion have exasperated the country’s vulnerability to droughts and
floods. Climate change is also accelerating glacial melting in the Andes and
the consequent water runoff is threatening the livelihoods of remote indigenous
communities. There is eagerness in Bolivia to bring in drones to complement
climate change adaption initiatives already happening on the ground. Hugo
Mamani Ticona, an agrometeorologist and climate analyst for non-government
organization Prosuco, works with bio indicators and local observers to compile
information on animal behaviour. Merging local knowledge and bio indicators
into the Bolivian Government’s early warning system is at the heart of a joint
project implemented by the Vice Ministry of Civil Defence (VIDECI) and the
World Food Programme (WFP), funded by the European Commission Humanitarian Aid
and Civil Protection Directorate General (ECHO). The project, centred around
the Municipality of Curahuara de Carangas, south west of La Paz, aims to
bolster emergency preparedness activities to safeguard the livelihoods of local
communities. Bolivia’s geography and arid topography make it easy for large
amounts of water to accumulate in many areas during rainy season, causing
landslides and floods, and endangering crops as well as livestock. Summer
droughts and heavy winter snowfalls make it an arduous task to ensure that
local farmers and llama herds have access to water and adequate grazing fields.
Drones are being used in some communities to help farmers pinpoint water access
for their livestock. Drones are giving Bolivia a cost-effective, timely and
accurate tool to gather decision-making data and strengthen its national
capacity to assess, plan and prepare for climate-related events of the future.
With its capacity to synthesize modern and traditional sources of knowledge for
use in early warning systems, UAS technology is elevating disaster management
in Bolivia to new heights.