Abstract ID: 3.13109 | Accepted as Poster | Poster | TBA | TBA

Bofedales or high-altitude wetlands are delicate ecosystems distributed across the Andean region. They offer multiple ecosystem services for local populations by providing hydrological regulation, important especially for subsistence grazing activities. Understanding their ecohydrological processes is crucial for choosing appropriate conservation and recovery measures for the sustainable management of these ecosystems. In this study, we analyzed and compared the ecohydrological characteristics (soil properties, vegetation characteristics, water chemistry and hydrological fluctuations) of two bofedales located in the northern and southern Peru. These measurements allow us to understand the differing bofedal characteristics and link them to their climate settings and catchment water inputs. Our results show that organic matter content correlates positively with variables such as field capacity, permanent wilting point, and porosity. We find notable differences in the water chemistry characteristics between the bofedales, especially pH, which could indicate differences in dominant water sources. We also found much higher values of hydraulic conductivity in the Pastoruri wetland compared to Qorikalis, which we believe may be that the variation in this parameter is likely due to the difference in terrain slope. The highest variations of water level were recorded in the Pastoruri Wetland, unlike the Qorikalis wetland where water level variations were more subdued. We aim to further analyse the link between precipitation events and water level response to allow direct comparison of the bofedal hydrological functioning. Through this work we plan to reveal new understanding of the factors driving differences in soil properties, water quality, vegetation and wetland hydrology.