Aerial water-vapor fluxes connecting forests, high-mountains, and “páramo” ecosystems.
Flying rivers importance is based on their role regulating rain events hundreds and even thousands of kilometers away from the amazon region. We are growing awareness that millions of trees in the Amazon region, through evapo-transpiration processes, create these aerial fluxes of water in the shape of clouds and its importance. However, preserving vegetation is not only important in the amazon, we should do the same in the high-mountains and páramo ecosystems!
Yes! Vegetation in the páramos, located in the tropical high-mountains of the Andes, are connected with the amazon by this water fluxes. Losing trees and vegetation in the mountains, especially in páramo ecosystems, is actually losing water! Moreover, it is known that these loses increase water-erosion and flooding events occurring down the hill. This is due to the damage caused on these mountain environments mainly by agriculture, diminishing the capacity of these environments to retain water coming as rain.
At GUA·QUYE we are working to improve the management that is given to the tropical high-mountain ecosystems in order to maintain the balance needed for the water cycle to be completed. This is translated on improving water retention capacity inside these ecosystems.
This is why our work is not only about planting trees! There is a whole phylosophy and management practices seeking to improve our relation with nature.
We are aware that everything is connected and we keep learning how to identify and keep these connections for the benefit of our planet.
Check out our suggested references to deepen your knowledge!
1- Amazon flying rivers: a vision for the future ( Video )