Abstract
Many watershed interventions in remote data-scarce areas respond to information gaps by extrapolating conventional approaches based on very limited local evidence. However, most interventions, including conservation strategies and adaptation measures, have not been evaluated properly for their hydrological benefits. This is particularly the case for the Andean region, where the complex climatic and hydrological characteristics combined with a very dynamic anthropogenic disturbance, require better monitoring.
This seminar will demonstrate the experience of a partnership of academic and non-governmental institutions established in 2009, the Regional Initiative for Hydrological Monitoring of Andean Ecosystems (iMHEA), which is a bottom-up initiative that complements the national monitoring networks and more conventional scientific observatories. Pooling the collected data into a hydrological impact model allowed more robust predictions about the effectiveness of catchment interventions to improve water resources management and to reduce risks.
Speaker Bio
Boris is a PhD research student at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. He holds degrees in Civil Engineering (BEng) and Hydrology and Water Resources Management (MSc) and is currently co-funded through the Imperial College President’s Scholarship Scheme and the Science and Solutions for a Changing Planet Doctoral Training Partnership between NERC and the Grantham Institute.