{"id":18439,"date":"2025-02-18T18:09:38","date_gmt":"2025-02-18T18:09:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/?p=18439"},"modified":"2025-02-27T16:21:25","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T16:21:25","slug":"new-study-reveals-the-vulnerability-of-the-andes-to-wildfires","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/new-study-reveals-the-vulnerability-of-the-andes-to-wildfires\/","title":{"rendered":"New Study Reveals the Vulnerability of the Andes to Wildfires"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-blockquote uagb-block-e7eb3fc3 uagb-blockquote__skin-border uagb-blockquote__stack-img-none\"><blockquote class=\"uagb-blockquote\"><div class=\"uagb-blockquote__content\">A study led by Miguel Hern\u00e1ndez University reveals alarming soil degradation in Peru&#8217;s Andes post-wildfire, underscoring the fragile ecosystem&#8217;s vulnerability and the urgent need for mitigation strategies.<\/div><footer><div class=\"uagb-blockquote__author-wrap uagb-blockquote__author-at-left\"><\/div><\/footer><\/blockquote><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-content-justification-space-between is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-b0ffac9c wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\"><div style=\"font-size:16px\" class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-post-author\"><div class=\"wp-block-post-author__content\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-author__name\">The University Network<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share uagb-social-share__outer-wrap uagb-social-share__layout-horizontal uagb-block-ee584a31\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-ec619ce7\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"facebook\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M504 256C504 119 393 8 256 8S8 119 8 256c0 123.8 90.69 226.4 209.3 245V327.7h-63V256h63v-54.64c0-62.15 37-96.48 93.67-96.48 27.14 0 55.52 4.84 55.52 4.84v61h-31.28c-30.8 0-40.41 19.12-40.41 38.73V256h68.78l-11 71.69h-57.78V501C413.3 482.4 504 379.8 504 256z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-32d99934\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/share?url=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"twitter\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M389.2 48h70.6L305.6 224.2 487 464H345L233.7 318.6 106.5 464H35.8L200.7 275.5 26.8 48H172.4L272.9 180.9 389.2 48zM364.4 421.8h39.1L151.1 88h-42L364.4 421.8z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-1d136f14\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?url=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"linkedin\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M416 32H31.9C14.3 32 0 46.5 0 64.3v383.4C0 465.5 14.3 480 31.9 480H416c17.6 0 32-14.5 32-32.3V64.3c0-17.8-14.4-32.3-32-32.3zM135.4 416H69V202.2h66.5V416zm-33.2-243c-21.3 0-38.5-17.3-38.5-38.5S80.9 96 102.2 96c21.2 0 38.5 17.3 38.5 38.5 0 21.3-17.2 38.5-38.5 38.5zm282.1 243h-66.4V312c0-24.8-.5-56.7-34.5-56.7-34.6 0-39.9 27-39.9 54.9V416h-66.4V202.2h63.7v29.2h.9c8.9-16.8 30.6-34.5 62.9-34.5 67.2 0 79.7 44.3 79.7 101.9V416z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">September 2018 marked a catastrophic event for the Peruvian Andes when nearly 2,000 hectares of shrubland on the Pichu Pichu volcano were consumed by a wildfire. Unlike Mediterranean regions where vegetation has evolved to withstand frequent fires, the volcanic soils of Arequipa, one of the world&#8217;s driest areas, are ill-prepared for such disturbances. This event has led to significant ecological ramifications, with the soil and vegetation suffering notable degradation.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A dedicated research team led by Miguel Hern\u00e1ndez University of Elche (UMH) conducted an in-depth analysis of the affected area at an altitude of 3,700 meters. Now, their findings \u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.frontierspartnerships.org\/journals\/spanish-journal-of-soil-science\/articles\/10.3389\/sjss.2025.13983\/full\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">published<\/a> in the Spanish Journal of Soil Science \u2014 paint a stark picture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Four years post-fire, the soil retains severe combustion scars, compounded by subsequent erosion, that have critically depleted soil organic carbon (SOC), a vital component of soil fertility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ecosystem-Specific Fire Dynamics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;The Peruvian Andes are not prepared for wildfires,&#8221; Jorge Mataix Solera, a professor of soil science at UMH who brings over three decades of experience in post-fire soil recovery, said in a news release. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While fire is a natural ecological force, its impact varies significantly by ecosystem. In Pichu Pichu, soil has endured chemical and physical degradation, inhibiting ecological recovery and further reducing soil cohesion and fertility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Particularly problematic is the post-fire enhancement of the soil&#8217;s natural water repellency. High sand content and specific organic matter characteristics exacerbate this issue, causing rainwater to run off instead of soaking into the soil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;[U]nderstanding the effects of fire on these young and fragile soils is crucial,&#8221; added Minerva Garc\u00eda Carmona, an assistant professor at UMH.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Focus on Native Flora<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The researchers scrutinized the effects on two native shrub species: <em>Berberis lutea<\/em>, known locally as &#8220;palo amarillo del Per\u00fa,&#8221; and <em>Parastrephia quadrangularis<\/em>, or &#8220;tola.&#8221; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They discovered that soils dominated by <em>Berberis lutea<\/em> experienced more severe degradation, likely due to its higher biomass intensifying combustion effects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">An Ecosystem in Peril<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Pichu Pichu region is a &#8220;cold desert,&#8221; receiving an average annual precipitation of just 385 mm, mostly within a brief three- to four-month window. Temperatures fluctuate between 4 and 18 degrees Celsius, and the local vegetation is comprised largely of drought-resistant shrubs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Despite its sparse vegetation, Pichu Pichu&#8217;s foothills support forests that are biodiversity hotspots, including endangered Polylepis species.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Rising Wildfire Incidence and Climate Change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A concerning trend has emerged, with Peru experiencing a record 7,037 wildfire hotspots in September 2024 alone, according to the Queimadas fire monitoring project. This escalation is closely linked to the broader climate crisis, necessitating urgent strategies for fire prevention and post-fire recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In a desert environment like Arequipa, &#8220;understanding soil response under new fire regimes is essential for assessing ecosystem resilience to climate change,&#8221; according to a UMH researcher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is crucial to mitigate the effects of rising temperatures and intensified droughts, Mataix noted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;This is as crucial in Peru as it is in Spain or California,\u201d Mataix concluded. &#8220;Although fire is a natural phenomenon, the climate crisis is exacerbating these events, and we must do everything possible to restore and protect these ecosystems.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The study emphasizes the immediate need for environmental protection measures, shedding light on the pressing impacts of climate change on already vulnerable ecosystems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>September 2018 marked a catastrophic event for the Peruvian Andes when nearly 2,000 hectares of shrubland on the Pichu Pichu volcano were consumed by a wildfire. Unlike Mediterranean regions where vegetation has evolved to withstand frequent fires, the volcanic soils of Arequipa, one of the world&#8217;s driest areas, are ill-prepared for such disturbances. This event [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"single-no-separators","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[63],"class_list":["post-18439","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-climate-and-environment","tag-miguel-hernandez-university-of-elche"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":false,"thumbnail":false,"medium":false,"medium_large":false,"large":false,"1536x1536":false,"2048x2048":false},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"The University Network","author_link":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/author\/funky_junkie\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"September 2018 marked a catastrophic event for the Peruvian Andes when nearly 2,000 hectares of shrubland on the Pichu Pichu volcano were consumed by a wildfire. Unlike Mediterranean regions where vegetation has evolved to withstand frequent fires, the volcanic soils of Arequipa, one of the world&#8217;s driest areas, are ill-prepared for such disturbances. This event&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18439","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18439"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18439\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19150,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18439\/revisions\/19150"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18439"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18439"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18439"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}