UNAH: investigating environmental systems and ecosystem services in Peru’s Huanta region

In water-stressed regions, the efficient functioning of natural systems is vital for resource management, conservation, and development. The direct and indirect impacts of agricultural and industrial development in arid regions, especially in upland mountainous regions, are known to be longer lasting than those in humid environments. The upland Andean environments are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of both resource exploitation and climate change. Peru is South America’s most water-stressed country with over 70% of its inhabitants living in arid coastal and intermontane regions, where the absolute scarcity of water is the natural state.

The development of rapid and accurate methods and technologies for environmental monitoring and impact analysis is now a global priority. This presents a complex challenge in the highly diverse environments of Peru where altitude ranges from sea level to 5000m, temperature can range from -20C to 48C, and much of the country is remote and inaccessible. It is in this context that the project is investigating a range of new and developing technologies and methods for Environmental Impact Analysis. Within this project, the University of Cambridge will work with the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Huanta (UNAH) to establish environmental research facilities and capabilities based at UNAH to promote long-term environmental research.