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Welcome to the August 2013 edition of Bolivia Climate Change Monthly where you will find the latest research, policy, donor activity, and news related to climate change in Bolivia*.
Soil carbon stocks vary predictably with altitude in tropical forests: Implications for soil carbon storage by Dieleman W. I. J., Venter M., Ramachandra A., Krockenberger A. K. & Bird M. I. published in Geoderma.
Abstract: Tropical forests are intimately linked to atmospheric CO2 levels through their significant capacity for uptake and storage of carbon (C) in biomass and soils. Increasing pressure of deforestation and forest degradation is begging the question as to what extent land use changes will affect C storage and release in tropical areas. Hitherto, many research efforts focused on aboveground C stocks in lowland tropical forests, but a considerable amount of C is stored in tropical soils as well. Some previous studies suggested that soil C storage increases with increasing altitude, while others found no relation with altitude. In this study, we addressed this controversy by quantifying soil organic C (SOC) stocks along an altitudinal gradient spanning a 3000 m altitude difference. In addition, we sampled soils in anthropogenic grasslands in proximity to forests at different altitudes to provide information on effects of land use change. Soil was sampled on 92 forest locations down to 100 cm depth in forest plots, and down to 30 cm in 13 grassland plots. We found that forest SOC stocks varied predictably with altitude in our study area, ranging between 4.8 and 19.4 kgC m− 2 and increasing by 5.1 kgC m− 2 per 1000 m increase in altitude. Soil properties (pH, bulk density, depth) and soil forming processes played an important role in this relationship with altitude. SOC stocks were not significantly different between forests and grasslands along the gradient in our study, due to a higher soil density in grasslands. When grassland SOC stocks were corrected for this difference in soil density, forest soils contained a significantly greater amount of C. In addition, while this difference was negligible at low altitudes, it tended to increase with increasing altitude. This study suggests that montane tropical forest soils consistently contain larger amounts of C compared to lowland tropical forests, and that conversion of forest to grasslands at higher altitudes might lead to larger soil C losses than previously expected.
Cosmogenic 3He production rate in the high tropical Andes (3800 m, 20°S): Implications for the local last glacial maximum by Blard P. H., Lavé J., Sylvestre F., Placzek C. J., Claude C., Galy V., Condom T., & Tibari B, published in Earth and Planetary Science Letters.
Abstract: To improve both precision and accuracy of cosmic-ray exposure dating methods, there is a crucial need of calibration sites constraining the production rate of cosmogenic isotopes. This is particularly true in the high tropical area, where existing scaling models present significant discrepancies. This study presents a new calibration site for cosmogenic 3He, located at ∼3800 m in the tropical Altiplano (19.9°S, 67.6°W), on the southern flank of the Tunupa volcano, in the vicinity of the Salar de Uyuni. It consists in a fluvio-glacial outwash that is stratigraphically bracketed by two successive lacustrine shorelines. These shorelines are well-dated by 14C and U-series dating (n=57), allowing determination of the age of the boulder field at the surface of the delta, at 15.3±0.5 ka (1σ). Eleven andesitic boulders were sampled on this fluvio-glacial surface and the cosmogenic 3He contents of their pyroxene phenocrysts and amphiboles was analyzed. The nucleogenic contribution from 6Li capture is well-constrained by determining the (U–Th–Sm)/4He age of these rocks. This correction is minimal (<2%) and does not represent a significant source of uncertainty. Cosmogenic 3He (3Hec) concentrations are characterized by a very high reproducibility: 10 samples overlap within 1σ analytical error. This suggests that pre- or post-deposition processes have minimal impact on the3Hec data. Furthermore, there is no correlation between the Li and the 3Hec content of the mineral, indicating that 3Hec production from cosmogenic thermal neutron is here negligible.
Climate Change to increase war in Africa – Bolivian envoy, The Nation, August 23.
Pantanal Boliviano: Gobernación busca medidas de adaptación al cambio climático, Ver, August 21.
Reseña “Bolivia en un mundo 4 grados más caliente” de Francesco Zaratti, Cambio Climatico Bolivia, August 26.
Edición especial “Experto del mes”: Cambio climático, retroceso glaciar y migración en Bolivia, Cambio Climatico Bolivia, August 15.
Where does the COMPASS point on climate change and poverty reduction? CAFOD Policy Blog, August 23.
Blog post about the CAFOD COMPASS program. Most beneficiaries report things getting worse for them due to inclement climate, conflict and so on. “The participants’ experience reinforces the view that climate change is a ‘threat multiplier’ amplifying existing stresses, and offers important insights for would-be planners of “climate smart” development paths.” The article explores solutions to the problems.
Development Cooperation between the EU and Bolivia, European Commission Memo, August 19.
The European Union put out a press release that highlights its projects in Bolivia. Climate change is an area receiving substantial attention. According to the EU, more than 311,000 families have benefitted from water and natural resources projects aiming to reduce the country’s vulnerability to climate change and €28.5 million spent in a water and sanitation program has “helped to promote the sustainable management of water resources, promoting systems adapted to the impact of climate
Climate Change and the Looming Food Crisis, Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), August 18.
Ambassador Pablo Solón Romero gave a speech at the HOMEF inaugural Sustainability Academy also known as HOME School. Romero served as Ambassador of the Plurinational State of Bolivia to the United Nations from February 2009 to July 2011 and is the former chief negotiator for his country at the UNFCCC.
Technical Staff from Bolivian Environmental Agencies Visit Acre, Brazil to Exchange Integrated Land and Forest Management Experiences, WWF Global, August 13.
“A group of technical staff from the Bolivian Authority for the Supervision and Social Control of Forests and Lands (ABT) and the Vice Ministry of the Environment (VMA) visited with Acre, Brazil government officials in May to exchange experiences and practices…The purpose of this initial exchange visit was for the Bolivian team to become familiar with the technical and operational aspects of the monitoring and certification systems of Acre’s environmental incentives system. This knowledge will contribute to the design of the Bolivian monitoring and certification system.”
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[contact-form to=’iouliafenton@gmail.com’ subject=’INESAD BCC Monthly’][contact-field label=’Email’ type=’email’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Title’ type=’select’ required=’1′ options=’Dr.,Professor,Ms.,Mr.’/][contact-field label=’Name’ type=’name’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Tick here to also receive weekly updates from Development Roast’ type=’checkbox’/][/contact-form]* This bulletin is intended for scientists, practitioners and others who are interested in climate change issues in Bolivia. Every care is taken to include all the relevant works published in the previous month, however, should you be aware of any research that has been accidentally overlooked, please email a link to ifenton@inesad.edu.bo
