MEMORIAS DE LA PRIMERA CUMBRE VIRTUAL MUNDIAL DE ALTA MONTAÑA EN COLOMBIA: SISTEMAS DE MONITOREO DE

First World Virtual

High Mountain Summit Monitoring Systems of the Forests, Paramos and Glaciers

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MEMORIES OF THE FIRST WORLD VIRTUAL SUMMIT OF HIGH MOUNTAINS IN COLOMBIA: Monitoring systems for forests, páramos and glaciers

MEMORIES OF THE FIRST WORLD VIRTUAL SUMMIT OF HIGH MOUNTAINS IN COLOMBIA: Monitoring systems for forests, páramos and glaciers

MEMORIES OF THE FIRST WORLD VIRTUAL SUMMIT OF HIGH MOUNTAINS IN COLOMBIA: Monitoring systems for forests, páramos and glaciers Technical inputs for the construction of a global alliance for the paramos

December 9, 10, 11 of 2020

Document prepared by: Tatiana Menjura Morales Contract: CONT-INT-105 Design and Layout: Sergio A Cárdenas Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Estudies - Ideam Ministry of Environment and Sustainables Development - Minambiente Consortium for the Sustainable Development of the Andean Ecoregion Condesan Bogotá

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MEMORIES OF THE FIRST WORLD VIRTUAL SUMMIT OF HIGH MOUNTAINS IN COLOMBIA: Monitoring systems for forests, páramos and glaciers

Tabla de contenido Executive Summary

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Synthesis of presentations Biodiversity and ecosystem services Dynamics, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services of North and South American Montane Forests Changing landscapes and fragmenting forests: Implications in social-ecological system in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region Biodiversity in paramos, from regional to national national

How do paramos store water? The role of plants and people Management of biodiversity in the High Mountain

9 11 11 14 16 19

Climate change and climate variability Sustainable management of mountain ecosystems in a changing climate, from science to policy and action The disappearance of glaciers in southern Europe: processes and impacts in the Pyrenees as a case study Climate change based on tropical core Oceania glaciers in the region of Puncak Jaya (Carstensz Pyramid) in Papua, Indonesia Change in glacier regime and glacier decline in Canada Rapid decline of snow and ice in the tropical Andes - Impacts, uncertainties and challenges ahead Water governance in glacier basins, challenges and advances for water security in the Americas Impacts of climate and cryosphere change related to adaptation in high mountain regions of Europe and beyond Mitigation of Climate Change in paramo and high mountain territories in Colombia A journey towards integrated monitoring in the ecosystems of the Andes Elevating meteorological understanding on Everest: installing the highest weather stations on earth Technology for a Sustainable World: The Planetary Computer Governance and social appropriation appropriation Reduce risks and increase resilience through Climate Services for disaster risk reduction in the Hindu Kush Himalaya region Conservation and governance in High Mountain ecosystems ecosystems Participatory glaciology: a new approach to glacier monitoring and adaptation to climate change Governance for the sustainable management of Andean landscapes Multilevel and multi-actor governance for the sustainable management of the territory, a view from high mountain communities High-level segment segment

The role of the environment ministries in the framework of a global alliance for the protection of paramos Role of multilateral banking, international cooperation, and NGOs What is the role of cities in the management of the protection and conservation of high mountains from the viewpoint of biodivercities?

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24 25 32 34 36 37 40 42 45 47 50 51 54 54 57

59 61 63 67 68 73 80

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MEMORIES OF THE FIRST WORLD VIRTUAL SUMMIT OF HIGH MOUNTAINS IN COLOMBIA: Monitoring systems for forests, páramos and glaciers

Conclusions by thematic axes Biodiversity and ecosystem services Climate change and climate variability Degradation and loss of ecosystems, glacier retreat Water supply Research and generation of knowledge for decision making Vulnerability and risk Governance and social management General conclusions Realities and challenges for the global alliance for the protection of the paramos High mountains, provider of ecosystem services Intersectoral articulation Development on a human scale Environmental education Alternatives for recovery after the pandemic Science as a support for decision-making processes Adaptation to climate change The Global Alliance for the Protection of the Paramos Annexes Presentations links:

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MEMORIES OF THE FIRST WORLD VIRTUAL SUMMIT OF HIGH MOUNTAINS IN COLOMBIA: Monitoring systems for forests, páramos and glaciers

Executive Summary Why a global alliance for the protection of the paramos?

The importance of the paramos in terms of biodiversity and provision of ecosystem services is widely recognized, but the vulnerability of these high mountain ecosystems in the context of current climate change effects puts at risk both the communities that inhabit them and nearby cities below them whose competitiveness depends to some degree upon them. The recognition of these realities and the difficulties faced by the Andean countries, particularly Colombia, in generating knowledge and carrying out actions that guarantee adequate paramo management highlights the urgency of implementing a longterm national strategy that actively engages world society in supporting the sustainability of these strategic ecosystems.

Colombia has more than 50% of the world’s paramos within its borders and about 41,000 km2 of high mountain ecosystems. At least 20 million Colombians live in or depend on these strategic ecosystems. The Colombian government, aware of the importance of these ecosystems, has urged the world community to protect the Colombian paramos through a declaration made in the framework of the 75th United Nations General Assembly held in September 2020, by proposing the implementation of a Global Alliance for the Protection of the Paramos.

As part of Colombia’s commitment to technically support this strategy, a unique convocation was held between December 9th and 11th, 2020: the First World Virtual High Mountain Summit in Colombia: monitoring systems for high Andean forests, paramos and glaciers. The event, led by the Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies (IDEAM), was developed in partnership with the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MADS) and the Alexander Von Humboldt Biological Resources Research Institute (IAvH) and enjoyed the support of international organizations, including the Consortium for the Sustainable Development of the Andean Ecoregion (CONDESAN), the Swiss International Cooperation Agency (SDC), and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The Summit brought together more than thirty participants from three continents from public sector, private sector, academic, and civil society.

It identified a global baseline of high mountain ecosystems along three thematic axes: i. Biodiversity and Ecosystem services, ii. Climate Variability and Climate Change, and iii. Governance and Social Management. The videos that contain the complete development of each day of the event are available at the following link cumbre-mundial-alta-montana-mads.hub.arcgis.com/ This document gathers and organizes the key memories of the Summit and constitutes a first technical input to support the call -to -action that the Colombian government will officially make within the framework of the Pre-COP of biodiversity, to be held in the city of Cali (Colombia) in May 2021. The texts that make up the report have been grouped into three chapters by thematic axis. Each chapter includes a brief review of the speakers, the link from which the video of the presentation or panel can be viewed, a synthesis of the respective interventions, and a block of conclusions that summarizes the current conditions and the regional and global perspectives of each thematic axis. At the end of the document is a recounting of the challenges the Global Allian-

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MEMORIES OF THE FIRST WORLD VIRTUAL SUMMIT OF HIGH MOUNTAINS IN COLOMBIA: Monitoring systems for forests, páramos and glaciers

ce for the Protection of Paramos must face to make this initiative a successful experience worthy of replication in other mountain ecosystems and at different geographical scales.

Biodiversity and ecosystem services The presentations related to this thematic axis clearly and cogently identified the need to incorporate factors associated with the variability of biodiversity along the altitude gradient into the management strategies of mountain ecosystems, strengthen scientific knowledge, solicit and obtain the active participation of all stakeholders present in the territory, and in a transversal way, fully recognize and prepare for the various pressures and threats that loom over those ecosystems. This comprehensive view urges the simultaneous achievement of: 1) effective protection of biodiversity, 2) progressive improvement of living conditions for local communities, and 3) permanent provision of ecosystem services.

Climate variability and climate change The impending threat of permanent degradation and loss of these ecosystems on which the survival of the world community directly depends was highlighted throughout the event, and consequently, the urgency to advance on the following fronts: 1) strengthening research and monitoring networks that generate information in various areas of knowledge and at different geographical scales, 2) addressing the effects of climate change through the implementation of robust strategies in which climate services play a preponderant role in identifying and promoting adaptation and mitigation actions in the framework of multiple interactions between science, politics, and social management, and 3) complementing the use of technological tools that accelerate the mapping of ecosystem conditions with the implementation of protection actions, emission reduction, and strengthening of environmental education , among others, and 4) formulation of policies whose application is feasible and allows achieving sustainable results in the medium and long term; This process must harmoniously integrate scientific knowledge with the knowledge built by the communities at the local level, which requires the participation of all actors at different levels of society.

Governance and social management The recognition of the fundamental role of governance in strengthening the management of common-use resources at different levels of society, in favor of their sustainability, makes it possible to demonstrate the urgent need to: 1) incorporate participatory monitoring and generation of knowledge in the planning and implementation of adaptation and mitigation actions to climate change, participation which responds to the real needs of the communities and integrates local knowledge and 2) identify the priorities of all stakeholders and propose sustainable production systems that improve the quality of life of society in general, transcending the current paradigm of recovering / conserving strategic ecosystems exclusively through the implementation of protected areas.

Big challenges, big strategies In summary, the Global Alliance for the Protection of the Paramos is a call-to-action addressed to all segments of world society in recognition of: 1) the importance of these strategic ecosystems and the possibilities that a sus-

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MEMORIES OF THE FIRST WORLD VIRTUAL SUMMIT OF HIGH MOUNTAINS IN COLOMBIA: Monitoring systems for forests, páramos and glaciers

tainable management model of the paramos would represent for all the world mountain communities and 2) the need to support high mountain research and monitoring systems to reduce the current information gap so that better decision-making is possible at the local level in high mountain regions.

Achieving the effective implementation of this strategy to guarantee its replicability and scalability in the medium term means to reach at least the following challenges: 1.

Generation of global mechanisms that technically and financially support a long-term strategy to guarantee the protection of Colombian paramos.

2.

Effective decentralization of resources to start a process of empowerment of communities, institutions, and organizations, with special attention to respect for gender criteria.

3.

Development and implementation of technological platforms that effectively integrate public and private institutions, academia, civil society, and other relevant actors in mountain areas in order to ensure the generation and dissemination of information and knowledge that adequately support the management of these ecosystems.

4.

Recognition of the current state of transformation of the Andean mountain socio-ecosystems in order to identify economic activities that allow the improvement of the living conditions of the inhabitants without detriment to ecosystem services.

5.

Application of mechanisms that actively link the private sector in order to ensure a long-term strategy supported by sustainable models of land use that reduce socio -environmental conflicts and actively involve all segments of society.

Finally, it is pertinent to reiterate that the countries of the Andean region face multiple impacts brought on by climate change inspite of having historically generated a low carbon footprint and that they have been forced to develop adaptation actions for a phenomenon that they did not create. It seems fitting then, that the global community, and in particular the developed countries, commit to cooperating in the implementation of the Global Alliance for the Protection of the Paramos, so countries like Colombia can improve the adaptive capacity of their territories and the living conditions of their communities.

The Alliance proposed by the Colombian government contributes to the realization of the Pact for Sustainability: Produce while conserving and conserve while producing, a fundamental pillar of the National Development Plan (PND) 2018-2022.

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MEMORIES OF THE FIRST WORLD VIRTUAL SUMMIT OF HIGH MOUNTAINS IN COLOMBIA: Monitoring systems for forests, páramos and glaciers

Executive Summary Biodiversity and ecosystem services Temathic axis: Country: Speaker:

Biodiversity USA Kenneth Young, PhD

Profile: Dr. Kenneth R. Young is a professor in the Department of Geography and the Environment at the University of Austin Texas. He is investigating how climate change affects the interactions between human and natural systems, including glacial retreat and land use systems in the tropics of North and South America. Current projects include changes in grazing, climate change, conservation of the Amazon forest and preparation for post-glacial conditions in the landscapes of upper Peru. He has published more than 120 research articles and co-edited the physical geography of South America. (2007, Oxford).

Dynamics, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services of North and South American Montane Forests Professor Young begins by highlighting the landscape, altitudinal, and biological diversity of the mountain ranges of the Andes, where there are many mountains that are very different from each other, and where, in narrow areas, it is possible to find dry and wet ecosystems together.

These mountains are dominated by specific elements that have allowed the existence of the endemic species of the southern continents in the course of evolution.

On the other hand, in the mountain ranges of North America there is great biodiversity associated with the ecosystems as a whole and fire plays an important role in the modeling of these forests.

Young presents models derived from studies of the forests of North and South America that analyze the effect of elevation, topography, and exposure to wet conditions. These three elements combined can define the type of vegetation at a given elevation for specific precipitation conditions.

Professor Young suggests that the topic of ecotones, regions of transition between two biological regions, might be of particular interest to the study of glaciers and climate change in the Andes, an example being sites with tree lines, locations where the forest ends and non-forest vegetation begins. These might be interesting cases in the context of global change, because while tree lines certainly could be affected by the increase in global temperature, there are potentially many other relevant factors, including human decisions in terms of responses to anticipated changes in the context of ecological restoration and assisted migration.

In short, ecotones are important areas in which to monitor interactions within and between ecosystems.

Young presents a study in Colorado (USA) that shows the response of the forest to fires through mosaic patterns of the effects generated by 9

MEMORIES OF THE FIRST WORLD VIRTUAL SUMMIT OF HIGH MOUNTAINS IN COLOMBIA: Monitoring systems for forests, páramos and glaciers

the disturbances. He suggests simultaneously evaluating biodiversity and ecosystem services through monitoring of the forest. He recommends monitoring aspects such as tree recruitment, tree growth, and tree mortality in order to understand how ecosystems and biodiversity follow the dynamics of forests.

To summarize, various top-down driving forces can be analyzed, starting with climate and global climate change, but also considering the importance of human decisions in terms of land use and management, which potentially explain changes in the environment, forest, and also the possibilities of management, restoration, and assisted migration. Topography, elevation, and precipitation define the potential types of forests, vegetation, and ecosystems that may be present in a given location; and in this way, a specific disturbance can be addressed by understanding the patterns of heterogeneity and its temporality.

Succession patterns are closely related to the combination of species that guarantee biodiversity and the balance of species in the forest. Some are fast growing, others slow growing; so, the conservation or restoration goals that can be expected to be achieved depend on the understanding of the dynamics of the forest as a whole.

Young presents an example related to the existence of very different conditions in the same territory, caused by gradients of humidity and elevation. He mentions the implications for local dynamics and the importance of having all aspects present when studying the dynamics of the forest, type of biodiversity, and ecosystem services to be obtained.

From another perspective—the provision of ecosystem services—human well-being is considered a priority, including carbon capture, fertile soils, nutrients, pollination, and even forest products. All of these are maintained by biodiversity and by the ecological processes already mentioned that make possible our vision of sustainability, supported by the use of landscapes that are economically beneficial and socially just, but must also be mapped onto the recovery potential of the forest.

Young further points to schemes focused on the water cycle, soil nutrients, carbon dynamics, and other factors. These schemes integrate all approaches that could be considered useful in terms of ecosystem services and seek a way to reverse the impacts of concerns related to biodiversity; hence the importance of having a conceptual framework that allows us to think about ecosystem services in the context of climate change and changes in land use.

Young proposes a model based on landscapes in which there are public lands in protected areas, communal lands for livestock grazing and agriculture, an adequate use of water in cities, factories, farms, etc., all articulated under governance structures. In such a scenario the linking of communities through an autonomous definition of land use goals can 10

MEMORIES OF THE FIRST WORLD VIRTUAL SUMMIT OF HIGH MOUNTAINS IN COLOMBIA: Monitoring systems for forests, páramos and glaciers

be a way to solve the complexity of the territory, rather than exclusively through scientific monitoring.

In the context of climate change, where mountains will continue to be affected and new ecosystems and combinations of species will emerge, Professor Young indicates that through his studies he has understood that these new species in transition require assistance to guarantee the provision of ecosystem services, which must be clearly differentiated in rural and urban areas.

Conclusions 1.

Dr.Young stresses that mountain forests are only one part of the climate system, so it is important to keep in mind differences in terms of biodiversity between the different ecosystems— glacier, paramo, forest, etc.—and the complexity of the changes that occur along the altitudinal range due to climate change.

2.

There are various ways in which governance can contribute to a better understanding of how people use resources to promote the recovery potential of the forest.

3.

Burning favors the vegetation recovery process. Through the disturbance model it is possible to obtain information that allows us to understand the water cycle, carbon cycle, nutrient cycle, and the recovery of vegetation, which simultaneously represent challenges and opportunities.

Temathic axis: Country: Speaker:

Biodiversity India Nakul Chettri, PhD

Profile: Dr. Nakul Chettri is the regional project manager for transboundary landscapes at ICIMOD. He has been assigned to the ICIMOD biodiversity portfolio as a focal person for the biodiversity convention, the intergovernmental Science-Policy platform on biodiversity and ecosystem services, and has contributed to several global assessment reports, including the IPBES global assessment. So far, he has published more than 50 research articles in international newspapers, 52 books, 24 book chapters, and more than 25 popular articles.

Dr Chettri has a PhD and Masters in Zoology from the University of North Bengal in India.

Changing landscapes and fragmenting forests: Implications in social-ecological system in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region Dr. Nakul Chettri is an Indian citizen with a PhD in Zoology from North Bengal University, India. Currently, he works as Senior Biodiversity Specialist and Programme Coordinator for Kangchenjunga Landscape for International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD).

Dr Chettri has research interests in integrated transboundary landscape planning; evaluation, valuation, and management of ecosystem services assessment; biodiversity conservation; application of geospatial tools in the evaluation and planning of conservation; and indicator species.

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MEMORIES OF THE FIRST WORLD VIRTUAL SUMMIT OF HIGH MOUNTAINS IN COLOMBIA: Monitoring systems for forests, páramos and glaciers

Dr. Chettri begins by saying that he works for the International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), which is a regional intergovernmental, non-political, knowledge-sharing, and learning organization comprising the eight regional member countries of the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH): Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan; as well as the world mountain community.

ICIMOD has positioned itself to serve as a link between scientific and political bodies.

As a contextualization, he explains that HKH has the largest reserve of ice outside the polar region, a place where 10 important rivers provide water to nearly 35% of the human beings on the planet. The region is extremely diverse in terms of cultures, languages, religions, traditional systems, and knowledge and is particularly recognized for its biodiversity hotspots, including 330 bird and biodiversity areas. Most importantly, 240 million people live in this area and depend directly on services and ecosystems of the region, and 1.9 billion people depend on the region for water, food, and energy.

From the standpoint of biodiversity, there are 488 protected areas in the region, corresponding to 39% of the total area of the region, which in turn is diverse in terms of land coverage and land use.

Dr. Chettri displays detailed maps that illustrate how population density and demographics have changed since the 1700s and how this has served as a driver of change. The multiple pressures generated by these forces have placed HKH among the areas of the world receiving the greatest impact upon land-cover (represented in red on the maps). Main driving forces identified are: 1) population growth, 2) land use change, 3). air pollution, 4) invasive species.

The most important challenge facing the region is climate change. Studies carried out in 2018 show that the goal of the Paris agreement of 1.5 °C is not enough for the HKH region, which, under such a regime, would sustain a 2.5 °C temperature increase.

All of these driving forces have had an impact on the region, particularly on the biodiversity of species. Chettri points out that the region has an ironic connection between ecological systems and socio-economic systems: ecological systems provide ecosystem services that flow towards the society; but when these services are overexploited, society’s interdependence with nature is thrown off balance.

As mentioned previously, 35% of the world’s population benefits from the ecosystem services of the HKH region. Studies carried out by Chettri’s team show that between 70% and 85% of the population is highly dependent on natural resources, meaning that any impact on ecosystems will directly impact human livelihood.Thirty percent of the regional 12

MEMORIES OF THE FIRST WORLD VIRTUAL SUMMIT OF HIGH MOUNTAINS IN COLOMBIA: Monitoring systems for forests, páramos and glaciers

population suffers from food security problems, 50% have malnutrition, 80% lack clean energy; and there are high levels of out-migration from these lands. At the same time, there is an estimated 70% to 80% loss of original habitat biodiversity.

In the effort to understand the impact of these driving forces, it is interesting to note population trends of the emblematic species of the region: about 15% are considered stable, 10% are increasing, while 50% are decreasing. (The remaining 25% corresponds to species not yet known due to insufficient research.)

In terms of deforestation and fragmentation, the region also reports alarming figures: more than 80% in northern India, Myanmar, and northern Nepal. Another worrying indicator of climate change is that of phenological changes. One example is evidence indicating that some species may have migrated upward in the altitudinal range due to increases in temperature and changes in precipitation patterns.

Chettri stresses that biodiversity is important and is a crucial resource for the region; however, he warns that when the number of publications related to biodiversity and that related to climate change is compared, it is evident that greater attention is paid to climate change issues. He believes that it is important to work to balance the two themes.To reinforce this affirmation, he presents the initiatives that ICIMOD develops in the region at the landscape level in four transepts within the framework of REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) projects, emphasizing different aspects in each landscape: 1) high alpine arid and endangered species, 2) sacred landscape with unique biodiversity and culture, 3) Confluence of biodiversity and hotspot endemism, and 4) protected area corridors and connectivity.

ICIMOD relies on building resilience to face the driving forces previously described by building social and ecological resilience and implementing nature-based solutions, framed in social, economic, and environmental dimensions.

Chettri mentions some projects developed in the region, one of them related to the reduction of an emblematic species of the region, the yak population, which has been diminished due to geopolitical problems.This project prioritized social well-being by facilitating the exchange of livestock and derived products among neighboring countries. Another project, this one in Bhutan, focused on economic well-being: rural tourism was promoted by the revival of traditional foods of the region, which additionally helped preserve the diversity of crops.

From the studies carried out by ICIMOD, six urgent actions were identified as needing to be implemented. These have been the subject of an agreement among the 8 countries of the region.

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MEMORIES OF THE FIRST WORLD VIRTUAL SUMMIT OF HIGH MOUNTAINS IN COLOMBIA: Monitoring systems for forests, páramos and glaciers

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Cooperate at all levels: local, national, and regional Limit the rise in global temperature to 1.5 °C Improve the resilience of ecosystems Recognize and prioritize the values of mountain culture

in HKH Achieve the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) in the region Share information and knowledge related to biodiversity and commonalities among the countries of the region.

Conclusions

1.

The HKH region is highly dependent on natural resources and faces driving forces that put the sustainability of ecosystems at risk; consequently, it is necessary to intervene in favor of strengthening resilience in the framework of current social and economic realities.

2.

It is important to advance in the production of knowledge about the biodiversity of the region in order to adequately support decisions related to common-use resources.

3.

Cultural, religious, political diversity, etc. of the region represent a great challenge to provision of ecosystem services.

The signing of the agreement to implement the six urgent actions constitutes a great opportunity to harmonize the interdependence of the social and ecological systems.

Thematic axis: Country: Speaker:

Biodiversity Colombia Eng. Fabio Antonio Guerrero Amaya, MSc

Profile: Eng. Fabio Guerrero has a degree in petroleum engineering from Universidad Industrial de Santander (Bogotá, Colombia) and a Master´s in Planning for Development from Universidad Santo Tomás (Bogotá). He is a Specialist in Government and Territorial Management at Universidad Santo Tomás and in International Business Administration at Universidad EAN (Bogotá). He has served as Deputy Planning Director and General Director at Corpochivor (Regional Autonomous Corporation of Chivor),Vice President of ASOCARS (Association of Regional Autonomous Corporations and Sustainable Development), and Mayor of Guayatá, Boyacá (Colombia). He currently serves as the Secretary of the Environment and Sustainable Development of the Department of Boyacá.

Biodiversity in paramos, from regional to national Guerrero begins his presentation by recalling that Colombia has three mountain ranges within which high mountain and paramo biological corridors have been formed and that they are of great interest in regard to biodiversity. These mountain ranges extend throughout the Andean countries and share the singularities of the high Andean mountain ecosystem. Colombia’s location makes it especially strategic: it has about 1,443,400 hectares (5,573 square miles) of paramo. He points out that these high mountain ecosystems are privileged to be supported by the protection of law (Law 99 of 1993). In addition to this current legal pro14

MEMORIES OF THE FIRST WORLD VIRTUAL SUMMIT OF HIGH MOUNTAINS IN COLOMBIA: Monitoring systems for forests, páramos and glaciers

tection, a new law of paramos that characterizes and gives priority to these strategic ecosystems is currently under discussion.

Guerrero continues by saying that there are 37 paramo complexes in the country. He remarks that the Department of Boyacá has the greatest expanse of paramos and wet paramos of all the departments in Colombia.

He notes, however, that the borders of paramos do not coincide with administrative limits; therefore, the responsibility for their protection is shared among several departments, Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia (PNNC), and more than one regional environmental authority.

Guerrero states that the current Boyacá administration intends to have 100% of its paramos declared and delimited as strategic areas. Paramo complexes in Boyacá are:

Tota-Bijagual-Mamapacha Altiplano Cundiboyacense Guantiva-LaRusia Iguaque-Merchán Chingaza Guerrero Pisba (in delimitation)

Guerrero explains that the country is divided by hydrographic basins, and that in this context, Boyacá can be seen to have an especially great richness of water resources, which include Lake Tota, one of the largest bodies of water and high mountain wetland ecosystems in the country and second largest in Latin America. The importance of these natural water features lies in the fact that, like the paramos, they are areas of water supply and recharge, though of course they also provide other significant benefits.

The paramos fulfill various cultural, economic and biological functions.

They are strategic for human development because they provide multiple environmental services such as water, and many rivers that are fundamental to the country’s economy are born there.

With regard to biodiversity, plant life is one of the most valuable components of paramo ecosystems. Frailejones (plants of the sunflower family) are prominent in the paramos. They have the capacity to capture and retain water; thus, they assist in water regulation. There is great concern about the management of paramo areas because the vegetation is fragile, and it is essential that the environmental authority work for the protection of these areas. With regard to animal life, the condor and the Andean bear—both residents of these ecosystems—are in need of special attention for their protection as species, and require monitoring processes because of their high vulnerability due to deforestation and ecosystem fragmentation.

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MEMORIES OF THE FIRST WORLD VIRTUAL SUMMIT OF HIGH MOUNTAINS IN COLOMBIA: Monitoring systems for forests, páramos and glaciers

Finally, Guerrero lists strategies for paramo conservation and protection in Boyacá: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Payment for Environmental Services (PES), understood as a compensation for the provision of environmental services Declaration and delimitation of 100% of the paramos Strategies for productive reconversion High mountain green businesses (beekeeping, for example) Environmental education processes

Conclusions 1.

The department of Boyacá is one of the most diverse in the country in terms of environmental and cultural landscapes. Its richness in high mountain ecosystems makes the region strategic for the development and economy of the country.

2.

It is important to highlight the progress made by the Department of Boyacá and its interest in the declaration and delimitation of paramo ecosystems, as well as in environmental proposals and productive alternatives.

Thematic axis: Country: Speaker:

Biodiversity Colombia Mauricio Díazgranados, PhD

Profile: Dr. Mauricio Díazgranados received a degree in Biology (1999) and a specialization in Bioethics (2005), both from Universidad Javeriana (Bogotá), and a PhD in Biology with a concentration in Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics from Saint Louis University and the Missouri Botanical Garden in the United States.

He completed two post-doctorates at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History in Washington. He was a professor and Director of the herbarium at Universidad Javeriana and later worked as Scientific Director of the Bogotá Botanical Garden. He is currently a Lead Researcher at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in London, UK, in the Diversity and Livelihoods Division, Department of Natural Capital and Plant Health.

How do paramos store water? The role of plants and people Dr. M. Díazgranados introduced his presentation by recalling that paramos, which are natural sources of water, are fundamental in supplying water to many cities and in regulating water. Paramos supply water to more than 40 million people. Cities such as Quito and Bogotá obtain between 85% and 95% of the water for their inhabitants from these ecosystems.

Díazgranados goes on to describe the PARAGUAS project, which integrates paramo, water, and society. Initiated in August 2018 and financed by the United Kingdom in collaboration with Colciencias, PARAGUAS was born of the need to understand: “What is the relationship of plants, and of people, with these unique ecosystems?” The project begins with the observed fact that an altered paramo area causes a loss in the func16

MEMORIES OF THE FIRST WORLD VIRTUAL SUMMIT OF HIGH MOUNTAINS IN COLOMBIA: Monitoring systems for forests, páramos and glaciers

tionality of that ecosystem’s water supply capacities, and proceeding from this observation, the project aims to meet the following objectives: 1.

2.

3.

Observe the mechanisms that control the storage and regulation of water in the paramos.

Identify the contribution of the impact of human activities.

Build capacity in Colombia for the sustainable use of resources.

The project is located in the Guantiva-La Russia paramo, using 12 micro-basins divided into 6 paired sets. One of each pair is in a high state of alteration, the other in a good state of conservation. In each basin hydrological response units (HRUs) are strategically placed in at least three locations in order to evaluate elements such as: hydrological characteristics, watershed mapping, water flows, and many others. Drones and InSAR images are used to collect data; rain gauges and hydrological stations are installed in the micro-basins.

It is also well known, Díazgranados points out, that paramos are socio-ecological systems.The activities and customs of a community are an inseparable aspect of the regulatory processes of its respective ecosystem; and it is each community, itself, which best knows its own land use practices. Evaluations of ecosystem services have been carried out with these facts in mind, in this way giving full recognition to all actors.

Finally, he presents the progress of the project: 1.

With the InSar methodology, detailed images that allow

analysis of loss and gain, are obtained.

2.

145 plots of 4x4 meters have been established.

3.

Identification of paramo vegetation permits the collection

of in-depth data: percentage of humidity in the soil.

4.

Paramo biodiversity patterns have been identified in order

to correlate them with their hydrological function.

5.

Drones have been used to map and scan the watersheds, and based on the results, composition was obtained. Artificial intelligence (AI) was used to identify and quantify different species of frailejones. These tools together enabled the generation of three-dimensional models to evaluate additional attributes, such as volumetry.

6.

By way of capacity building, undergraduate and master’s students from Colombia were selected and financed by the project.

7.

Drone manipulation and storytelling workshops have been held. In addition, communities participate in data collection for the project through IDEAM’s participatory monitoring program.

For more information see: https://paraguas.ceh.ac.uk/es

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MEMORIES OF THE FIRST WORLD VIRTUAL SUMMIT OF HIGH MOUNTAINS IN COLOMBIA: Monitoring systems for forests, páramos and glaciers

Conclusions 1.

Research institutions play a fundamental role in the generation of technical knowledge to support decision-making. Interdisciplinary teams such as the team integrated into the PARAGUAS project, show the interest of various institutions around the world in quantifying the importance of the paramos in the development and sustainability of the local communities.

2.

Technology has become a fundamental ally in the generation of knowledge, as in many cases it requires less investment for data collection; however, technology remains complementary to field work carried out by researchers.

3.

It is important to know the interrelation between paramo ecosystems and communities in order to generate effective conservation and protection responses. The successful generation of capacities in the PARAGUAS project and their link to initiatives such as participatory monitoring networks invites us to search for further ways of actively involving local communities.

Thematic axis: Countries: Moderator:

Biodiversity Colombia, Holland, Italy Dr. Hernando García Martínez, MSc

Profile: Dr. Hernando García Martínez has a degree in biology and a Master's Degree in Ecology from the Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona. He has extensive experience in management positions related to the management of science, research, and management of biodiversity conservation projects and more than 20 years of experience in research and work with interdisciplinary teams related to the sciences of biodiversity. After completing a 13-year journey in cooperation with Instituto de Investigación de Recursos Biológicos Alexander von Humboldt (IAvH), he recently became Director General of this research institute. He has authored more than 30 scientific publications (articles, books, and book chapters) related to the dynamics of tropical forests, sectoral environmental planning, and biodiversity conservation.

Panelist 1: Ms. Rosalaura Romeo, MSc Profile: Ms. Rosalaura Romeo has a degree in agronomy. She works at FAO and has been involved in sustainable mountain development for many years. She was part of the team that organized the celebrations of the International Year of Mountains (2002) and since then has worked on the Secretariat of the Alliance for Mountains, the only United Nations alliance that aims to protect mountain ecosystems and support populations living there.

Panelist 2: Robert Hofstede, PhD Profile: Dr. Robert Hofstede is a Dutch biologist and ecologist who has lived and worked in the Andes for 30 years. He has a degree in biology from the University of Amsterdam and a PhD in Paramo Ecology. He has been a researcher and teacher at the same university, a founder of the Ecopar Corporation in Ecuador, project director at CONDESAN, a regional director at IUCN in South America and Associate Director Climate Change at the International Center for Development Research (IDRC) in Canada. Currently, he works independently as a consultant for various international institutions for sustainable development, environmental management, and climate change throughout Latin America.

Panelist 3: Mr. Jorge Rubiano Profile: Mr. Jorge Rubiano has a degree in biology from Universidad del Tolima and is currently a candidate for MSc at Universidad Distrital de Bogotá in Forest Management and Administration. He has served as Coordinator of the Corporación Semillas de Agua conservation program in RNSC Semillas de Agua for 17 years. He has accompanied research processes related to the comprehensive assessment of ecosystem services in the Anaime and Chilí paramos with emphasis on supply and demand of water and carbon in soils. Between 2005 and 2012 was linked to an action-research process within the framework of the project Mechanisms for Sharing Benefits in the Coello Basin, an initiative that contributed to the creation of the Plan Nacional de Rehabilitación (PNR) Anaime y Chilí.

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at the same university, a founder of the Ecopar Corporation in Ecuador, project director at CONDESAN, a regional director at IUCN in South America and Associate Director Climate Change at the International Center for Development Research OF THEheFIRST WORLD VIRTUAL as SUMMIT OF HIGH IN COLOMBIA: (IDRC) in MEMORIES Canada. Currently, works independently a consultant for MOUNTAINS various Monitoring systems for forests, páramos and glaciers international institutions for sustainable development, environmental management, and climate change throughout Latin America.

Panelist 3: Mr. Jorge Rubiano Profile: Mr. Jorge Rubiano has a degree in biology from Universidad del Tolima and is currently a candidate for MSc at Universidad Distrital de Bogotá in Forest Management and Administration. He has served as Coordinator of the Corporación Semillas de Agua conservation program in RNSC Semillas de Agua for 17 years. He has accompanied research processes related to the comprehensive assessment of ecosystem services in the Anaime and Chilí paramos with emphasis on supply and demand of water and carbon in soils. Between 2005 and 2012 was linked to an action-research process within the framework of the project Mechanisms for Sharing Benefits in the Coello Basin, an initiative that contributed to the creation of the Plan Nacional de Rehabilitación (PNR) Anaime y Chilí.

Management of biodiversity in the High Mountain Introduction H. García points out that almost 50% of the paramo ecosystems in the world are concentrated in Colombia. These ecosystems are home to great biodiversity, as well as a significant number of endemisms in the country. Paramos mean water: the 37 paramos in Colombia are directly related to the water supply of many populations. The current governance of paramos comes from various directions. Paramos are among the country’s protected areas and are important to many territorialities and many people, including campesinos, and indigenous communities.

Colombia is committed to the conservation of these ecosystems, and essential to the effort of conservation is understanding the different meanings of the territory and understanding that consideration of the paramos necessarily implies consideration of the high mountain regions.

H. García asks, “What is the meaning of the term ‘high mountain region?’”

R. Romeo explains that the United Nations defines a high mountain region as any land area higher than 2500m. Throughout the world, she continues, high mountain regions are generally very sparsely populated; but in the case of the Andes, there are significant areas of population, which adds complexity to the environmental protection of these particular high mountain regions. In addition to this, what happens in high mountain regions affects landscapes and populations everywhere, not just those of the mountains. For this reason, high mountain regions are extremely important, but are not sufficiently understood and require greater monitoring, because they play an important role in climate change and global warming.

H. García asks, “What is the situation in Latin America regarding the importance of the paramos?”

R. Romeo explains that 20 years ago high mountain regions were of no interest to people in general, and especially not to the agendas of diplomats and politicians of Andean countries. But today, as a result of much work carried out by communities and research institutes, all Andean countries have a mountain committee, some more advanced than others—as for instance, in Argentina. In Europe, there is the Convention of the Alps and the Carpathians, which addresses mountain issues regionally. In the Himalayas, where there are many conflicting interests, an 19

MEMORIES OF THE FIRST WORLD VIRTUAL SUMMIT OF HIGH MOUNTAINS IN COLOMBIA: Monitoring systems for forests, páramos and glaciers

organization of eight countries which are part of this complex mountain area was created to work on high mountain issues. In general, there has been a global change in mentality and in the priority given to the high mountain environment.

H. García asks, “How is the culture-nature or culture-ecosystem relationship expressed in the high mountains, particularly in Colombia?”

R. Hofstede responds that historically there has been a cultural-social relationship between high mountain regions and the paramos, particularly in the Andean countries. Scientific-academic knowledge, in its eagerness to conserve, for a moment forgot the coexistence of the communities with the ecosystems, as well as the indirect relationship with the city and the effects the mountain may have. Once this symbiotic culture-nature relationship was recognized, the understanding of these spaces changed, because whether or not there are inhabitants in the region itself, there is a cultural and social relationship to respect, and this is important for the management and conservation of these areas.

H. García asks, “How have the processes of high mountain conservation taken place with regard to the social movement and the social-based organization in the Chilí-Barragán complex?”

J. Rubiano indicates that in agreement with R. Hofstede, the basis of these processes should be the valuation of traditional knowledge, the construction of spaces for dialogue, and the understanding of the dynamics of the high mountain environment. In cases such as Cajamarca, the population mobilized through a popular consultation, which constitutionally, is a participatory mechanism that made it possible to prevent future losses of and effects on water resources. He adds that high mountain issues are of interest not only to its inhabitants, but also to those who live in the middle and lower basins. Citizens must have the opportunity to be linked and integrated into the management and management strategies of biodiversity and ecosystem services in the high mountains.

H. García asks FAO,” What do you consider to be the value of the knowledge generated by multiple actors in the formulation of public policies for the conservation of high mountain regions in Latin America?

R. Romeo explains that one of the main elements of concern is the lack of data, information, and monitoring. A recent FAO report gave an overview of high mountain issues from different perspectives. The report revealed much about low levels of food security, poverty indicators, and the conditions of populations in the mountains in all parts of the world.

Information such as this needs to reach politicians and competent entities, enabling them to work toward the formulation of specific public policies to address high mountain issues. It is also important to note that as a matter of human rights, access to equal services and opportunities 20

MEMORIES OF THE FIRST WORLD VIRTUAL SUMMIT OF HIGH MOUNTAINS IN COLOMBIA: Monitoring systems for forests, páramos and glaciers

must be guaranteed to all. This matter has not been addressed for the inhabitants of the high mountains and should be incorporated into public policy.

H. García asks,” How can we include the social complexity and social interactions in the high mountains in the generation of knowledge?

R. Hofstede explains that different functions are important with respect to monitoring and the social dimension. For example, in the process of delimiting the paramos, it was sought to have accurate data from different disciplines, and when the information was validated by the people in the field and the municipalities, new interpretations emerged that made it necessary to reconsider the significance of this data for the delimitation of paramos. In this way, society was integrated into the monitoring processes. On the other hand, social aspects such as land use, and everything related to dynamics of the communities that have inhabited the paramo up to now, have become relevant to monitoring studies, and in some cases, for the management and regulation of the ecosystems.

For academics, who study exclusively from an ecological-biological point of view, this information is difficult to understand. A combination of both approaches is required. Finally, when rural and urban societies are involved in a monitoring system, the system must be built in such a way that the respective societies can make decisions and generate consensus between the communities and the academic. Creating knowledge, awareness, and debate is a bumpy road even in Colombia. R. Hofstede feels that “we are going in the right direction.”

H. García asks, “One of the challenges of Payment for Environmental Services (PES) in Colombia is how to measure them and what their impact is on the community. How is the community being linked to the process of the generation of knowledge? How will this generation of knowledge serve to strengthen the PES instrument?”

J. Rubiano explains that for the past 27 years, one of the focuses of Corporación Semillas de Agua in the region has been the management of community participation and institutional responsibility. The focus has been on the combined understanding of the dynamics of paramo management and measures of profit. Indicators and work routes have been built with the communities, and there is a discussion about whether PES is appropriately conceived as it is, or if it should be viewed and treated as a mechanism to share benefits, which is a more integrative concept based on the reality of participation and agreements between actors.

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MEMORIES OF THE FIRST WORLD VIRTUAL SUMMIT OF HIGH MOUNTAINS IN COLOMBIA: Monitoring systems for forests, páramos and glaciers

He adds that in Tolima a mechanism they call “permanent” has been implemented, as they consider the efforts made by all the actors in the high mountain regions in terms of better management are and should be permanent. For now, different aspects are being worked on from the standpoint of both human use and needs and that of the environment.

These aspects include psycho-social issues, gender responsibility, and participation.

Finally, he points out that they have understood the reality that the predominant strategies for the conservation of high mountain regions come from outside the jurisdiction of the mountain—the city, where people depend on what happens in the mountains.They believe, accordingly, that regional policy has been permeated by this reality in such a way that it is now possible in Colombia to direct investments towards highly marginalized communities.

H. García asks, “What are the mechanisms that report indicators, which are then delivered to the regional environmental authority?”

J. Rubiano explains that the mechanisms measure two different scales of interest: 1) farm, which reports activities of three work components: a) farm health (management of production systems), b) improvements in comfort and family well-being (quality of life), and c) psycho-social aspects and of genre (changes in family relations, which is fundamental, for example in areas affected by violence). 2) Landscape, which aims to evaluate how to successfully and integrally manage the 23 areas of work, taking into account, among other factors, issues of sedimentation and water flows. This report is made through the Cuencas Pares (Paired Basins) methodology that allows investors to know the return on their investments. But really, the greatest return is family integrity, the increased value of the high mountain region to its people by virtue of increased knowledge and understanding, and consequently, the increased potential of local people to change the dynamics of these regions in Colombia.

Closing H. García summarizes, saying that the panel began by recognizing the importance of the paramos as part of the high mountain ecosystems, not only because of their ecological uniqueness, but also because of the cultural relations between the communities and the landscape. Subsequently, they discussed topics regarding the understanding of the territorial dynamics of the high mountains, particularly looking at them as a fundamental feature of Latin America, and more particularly looking at the links between society and nature. They then looked at a specific case in the paramos of the eastern mountain range in the Chilí-Barragán Complex in order to explore and understand the challenges of managing biodiversity within the reference of territorial dynamics. Finally, they discussed the role and importance of knowledge generation as essential in guiding the decisions of actors at all levels toward mobilizing for the conservation of these ecosystems.

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MEMORIES OF THE FIRST WORLD VIRTUAL SUMMIT OF HIGH MOUNTAINS IN COLOMBIA: Monitoring systems for forests, páramos and glaciers

Conclusions 1.

The formal definition of the concept of “the paramo” is very complex in bio-geographical terms. At the present time, in which the need for the delimitation of paramos arises, the debate continues. Clarifying it in the framework of law will be vital to advancing the process of dignifying the communities that inhabit it, and at the same time, establishing conditions that guarantee the sustainability of these strategic ecosystems.

2.

Faced with the food security problems highlighted by FAO, it is clear that the ecosystem services of high mountain ecosystems are vital. Therefore, based on successful experiences globally, there is a need for a national-level platform that brings together all segments of society, and includes all relevant actors. This implies making political decisions that permit a decentralization which translates into real empowerment of local communities; and in this way, it will become possible to solve the identified problems by means of new dynamics that, for example, eliminate corruption by bringing in social control.

3.

The challenge of the management of the paramos is, in synthesis, the great national challenge for sustainability. It is not possible to define an environmental policy based only on protected areas; a sectoral commitment is proposed for the sustainability of strategic ecosystems in accordance with the growing demands of society. The strategy that is posed for the national government opens the possibility of building a success story of sustainability that is feasible in a strategic ecosystem in an area corresponding to 16% of the paramos in Colombia.This can be achieved through social agreements with agricultural communities for the adoption of sustainable uses that are supported by science and realized through the mobilization of all sectors of society.

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MEMORIES OF THE FIRST WORLD VIRTUAL SUMMIT OF HIGH MOUNTAINS IN COLOMBIA: Monitoring systems for forests, páramos and glaciers

Climate change and climate variability Thematic axis: Climate change Country: Romania, Switzerland, Germany.

Moderator: Rodica Nitu, MSc Profile: Dr. Rodica Nitu has a Master of Electrical Engineering degree from Gheorghe Asachi Technical University of Iasi (Romania), with a specialization in Power Measurements and Systems, and a Master of Public Administration degree from York University in Canada. In 2016 Rodica joined the World Meteorological (WMO) secretariat in Geneva and is responsible for the development of Global Cryosphere Watch (GCW) as an allied activity within WMO, and for the overall coordination of WMO's polar and high-mountain activities. In this framework, she coordinated the organization of the WMO High Mountain Summit in October 2019. Prior to WMO, Rodica held various leadership positions with the Meteorological Service of Canada in the design and strategic evolution of weather and climate observing systems and programs across Canada.

Panelist 1: Carolina Adler, PhD Profile: Dr. Carolina Adler is an environmental scientist and geographer, with an international career spanning more than twenty years in both research and practice in the public and private sectors. As the Executive Director of the Mountain Research Initiative (MRI), she is tasked with overseeing the work of the MRI Coordination Office.

She obtained her Ph.D. from Monash University (Australia) in 2010, focused on adaptation to climate change and policy processes relevant to sustainable development in mountainous regions. She received the Harold D. Lasswell award in 2010 for best thesis.

She is a Lead Author of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). .

Panelist 2: Stephan Schneiderbauer, PhD Profile: Dr. Stefan Schneiderbauer is the head of the Bolzano office of the Global Mountain Safeguard Research (GLOMOS) program, a joint effort of UNU-EHS and Eurac Research in South Tyrol. His academic training is focused on geosciences, remote-sensing techniques, and participatory mapping for natural resource management. He studied geography at the University of Cologne (Germany) and the Catholic University of Leuven (Belgium) and obtained his PhD from the Department of Geoscience of the Free University of Berlin (Germany). His main fields of research include climate-related risk analysis.

Panelist 3: Dr. Roberta Boscolo Profile: Dr. Roberta Boscolo is Climate & Energy Science Officer at WMO’s World Climate Research Programme. Her role is to support countries and society in achieving science-based climate mitigation and adaptation goals in line with historic global agreements on climate change and sustainable development. She has more than twenty years of experience in the development of knowledge-based platforms and best practices to support the management of climate-related risks.

Panelist 4: Bolívar Cáceres, MSc Profile: Dr. Bolívar Cáceres has been head of the glaciers area of the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (INAMHI-Ecuador) since 2000. He is a WGMS national correspondent and was lead author of chapter two of the SROCC (2019) report for the IPCC. Bolívar is a civil engineer and geologist with a Master's degree in Cryosphere Research from the University of Nice Sophia Antipolis (France).

He carries out work on mass balance and the evolution of glaciers (national inventory) in Ecuador and mass balance studies on Greenwich Island on the Antarctic Peninsula in collaboration with INOCAR.

Panelist 4: Bolívar Cáceres, MSc Profile: Manuel Peralvo is a geographer specializing in the study of socio-environmental systems, environmental modeling to support decision-making, and the articulation of sustainable management tools for the territory, in environmental governance processes at multiple scales. He has twenty years of experience working in the Andean region on research initiatives and the implementation of sustainable land management actions.

He currently serves as Coordinator of the Sustainable Livelihoods and Landscapes Area in CONDESAN and coordinates the research component of the Andean Forests Program, a regional initiative of the Swiss Cooperation (SDC).

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MEMORIES OF THE FIRST WORLD VIRTUAL SUMMIT OF HIGH MOUNTAINS IN COLOMBIA: Monitoring systems for forests, páramos and glaciers

Sustainable management of mountain ecosystems in a changing climate, from science to policy and action Introduction: R. Nitu explains that each panelist will have an opportunity to present; then, questions will be asked focused on the central theme of the panel.

She invites Carolina Adler to share her experience from the Mountain Research Initiative (MRI), especially in terms of the sustainability of ecological systems and social systems in the mountains. She encourages Ms. Adler to mention the role of organizational collaboration at the local, national and regional levels, particularly in the mountains of the Andes.

Panelist presentation 1 C. Adler gives a brief review of the MRI, explaining that it was created in 2001 to “achieve an integrated approach to observe, model and investigate climate change in mountain regions, including the impacts of these changes and the impact of human activities in mountain ecosystems.”

Currently MRI coordinates a global research network with thousands of members working in mountain regions around the world. The initiative seeks not only to obtain funds, but also to provide support in achieving the network’s commitment to science-politics-society relationships and knowledge co-production processes. The MRI office is located at the University of Bern (Switzerland) and is funded by the Swiss Academy of Sciences.

The efforts of MRI are focused on generating knowledge to support decisions, actions, and transformations that allow the achievement of sustainable development in mountain regions. Particularly in line with the panel’s theme is one of the seven key functions of the MRI: facilitating science-politics-society interactions. One of the ways to achieve desired transformations towards sustainability is, for example, through reports generated from global and regional evaluations, according to local and national needs. MRI is currently an active participant within IPCC Working Groups, providing scientific knowledge to support the definition of objectives and to mobilize actions toward sustainable development.

Adler highlights the importance of maintaining dialogue through international events and mentions other summits in which the MRI has had the opportunity to participate recently. Specifically, she cites three lines along which the MRI currently collaborates with its partners, colleagues, and communities in the Andes and the rest of Latin America: 1.

Global Network of Observations and Information in Mountain Environments (GEO Mountains). This network seeks to mobilize the global community to identify, collate, and make globally accessible information related to environmental, ecological, and social changes in mountain regions of the world.

2.

Adaptation to Altitude, a global program supported by 25

MEMORIES OF THE FIRST WORLD VIRTUAL SUMMIT OF HIGH MOUNTAINS IN COLOMBIA: Monitoring systems for forests, páramos and glaciers

the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). Adaptation to Altitude is a collaborative research network and center dedicated to working on ecosystems, health, and climate change.

3.

Andes Connect +, collaborative research that seeks through knowledge to find the links between ecosystems, health, and climate change, focused on achieving sustainable development.

Additionally, MRI works to connect the efforts of academia and the United Nations to support science-based policy definition processes at local, regional and international levels, within the framework of the United Nations. These processes incorporate the participation of all stakeholders, global networks and initiatives, regional research centers, government institutions, and local communities.

Panelist presentation 2 R. Nitu introduces Stephan Schneiderbauer and asks him about the United Nations University which is the academic arm of the United Nations.

She asks him to explain how the UNO GLOMOS program connects academia and the United Nations system to achieve science-based policies to move towards transformative resilience in the Andean region Schneidebauer describes Global Mountain Safeguard Research (GLOMOS) and explains that UN University is part of the Program. He explains that it is a union in which the Institute for the Environment and Human Security (UN-EHS), the Eurac Research Institute, and other allied organizations participate. The main objective of the Program is to promote applied interdisciplinary research that will support livelihood and sustainable development of mountain regions. In particular, they attempt to uncover issues of interest in mountain regions within the framework of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which has four pillars of action: 1. Energy, 2. Infrastructure, 3. Disaster Risk Reduction, and 4.

Health Governance.

GLOMOS aims to connect, within the framework of the United Nations, the efforts of academia and the United Nations in supporting science-based policy definition processes at local, regional, and international levels. These processes incorporate the participation of all stakeholders, global networks and initiatives, regional research centers, government institutions, and local communities.

In order to connect GLOMOS activities with the conservation of paramos, Schneiderbauer highlights two aspects of these ecosystems: 1) ecosystem services: water provision, power generation, irrigation, biodiversity, and carbon storage, among others, and 2) the fact that ecosystems face pressures: climate change, mining, intensive land use, etc.

In response to the importance of mountain ecosystems, GLOMOS has developed the following initiatives aimed at their conservation: payment 26

MEMORIES OF THE FIRST WORLD VIRTUAL SUMMIT OF HIGH MOUNTAINS IN COLOMBIA: Monitoring systems for forests, páramos and glaciers

for ecosystem services (PES), water funds, research and monitoring, restoration projects, community engagement, citizen science and environmental education.

For the specific case of the Andes, he highlights alliances with CONDESAN, Universidad de los Andes (Bogotá, Colombia) and the Alexander von Humboldt Institute, with which they have been working on initiatives that highlight the importance of participation of local communities to achieve sustainable development.

He ends his presentation by quoting a phrase from General Secretary of the United Nations António Guterres: “The next few years will be a vital period to save the planet and achieve sustainable, humane and inclusive development.”

Panelist presentation 3 R. Nitu introduces Roberta Boscolo and asks her to share her experience by explaining how the activities of WMO in the Andean region allow it to translate science into sustainable visions of services and sustainable management of ecosystems and the protection of natural life in the region.

R. Boscolo explain the ENANDES project which aims to improve the adaptation capacity of communities through Climate Services (CS).

ENANDES is a project of the Adaptation Fund which includes Colombia, Peru and Chile and seeks to benefit the community by strengthening the CS value chain, through observation, modeling and forecasting.

R. Boscolo expands her explanation, saying that in order to add value to the products delivered by the CS, it is necessary to involve users in the co-design. This is accomplished by establishing communication channels appropriate to local conditions and obtaining permanent feedback to guarantee continuous improvement of services and demonstrate their importance. WMO develops this type of project through a single architecture that integrates all Climate Services, thus improving the access to and exchange of products. This structuring results in a cascade of information from the global down to the local level. There is a very important contribution from the national level, with flows from the bottom to up that provide information on local risks, etc. to regional and national centers. WMO supports this cycle in order to ensure delivery of services at the national level which include the identification of needs for capacity development and technical assistance, the improvement of data quality and availability, and the design and improvement of products, among others.

R. Boscolo continues by remarking that WMO has generated many products to support the provision of services: Forecast and Hydrological Status System (HydroSOS), Drought Monitoring and Early Warning, Flash 27

MEMORIES OF THE FIRST WORLD VIRTUAL SUMMIT OF HIGH MOUNTAINS IN COLOMBIA: Monitoring systems for forests, páramos and glaciers

Flood Warning and Forecast Guide, Global System of data processing and forecasting, National Framework for Climate Services. She concludes by explaining that these products constitute a framework between CS and its users which allows the design of services and the determination of their value. From this vision WMO connects its science-based climate services with a hydrological perspective that includes early alerts, and which adequately supports the management of mountain ecosystems.

WMO has applied this vision to their projects in the Andes.

Panelist presentation 4 R. Nitu introduces Bolívar Cáceres and asks him to present from a regional perspective what he considers necessary to facilitate the use of scientific knowledge by institutions and local communities in the sustainable development of ecosystem services for local communities in mountain regions.

B. Cáceres begins by presenting some evidence of the impact of climate change in the Tropical Andes. He explains the procedures and tools used by cryosphere researchers in the region in terms of identifying risk factors associated with climate change, in particular those related to glacial retreat: 1) identification of unstable areas and landslides, 2) occurrence of avalanches, and 3) torrential floods in high mountains—lahars associated with the formation of lagoons at the foot of glaciers. This information is analyzed from the human point of view, particularly in terms of the availability of water resources in periods of water scarcity.

Subsequently, B. Cáceres presents a series of tables with the results of the investigation of Andean glaciers, reporting: areas, temperatures, and maximum peaks of floods presented in the upper basins of the high mountains. He stresses that the last type of study is not frequently carried out in the Andean region, saying that there are only a few isolated case studies, which prevents a better understanding of what is happening in the Andes.

According to B. Cáceres, some of the impacts associated with the changes presented in the cryosphere are: 1) decreased availability of water resources, 2) increased risk of disasters associated with glacier retreat, 3) glacier risks associated with volcanism, and 4) risks associated with the formation of lagoons Finally, he indicates that in order to contribute to risk management, the results of the research are socialized with local communities in a language that allows their understanding and facilitates the implementation of the adaptation actions defined by decision makers.

Panelist presentation 5 R. Nitu introduces Manuel Peralvo and asks him to describe the factors that successfully achieve participation at the regional level in mountain 28

MEMORIES OF THE FIRST WORLD VIRTUAL SUMMIT OF HIGH MOUNTAINS IN COLOMBIA: Monitoring systems for forests, páramos and glaciers

ecosystems, which normally cross administrative boundaries and therefore require collaboration between actors and interested parties in order to achieve sustainable development of the regions.

M. Peralvo begins by saying that previous panelists have already mentioned the key factors necessary to effectively connect science, policy and action. He then focuses on two issues. First is the need to incorporate the best possible empirical base into policy formulation. In this connection he warns that there are large knowledge gaps and few long-term monitoring systems, and it is therefore necessary to optimize the available information and move forward in order to support policy making.

Second is the need to make available decision-making information to permit the promotion of policies and actions on the ground. He adds that it is important to move from producing information to making the information available and useful to different users.

M. Peralvo adds that the work carried out by CONDESAN focuses on the Andean region and highlights three dimensions necessary to achieving participation at the regional level in mountain ecosystems: 1) allowing participation to facilitate the identification of knowledge gaps and establish priorities that will aid in achieving policy formulation and in mobilizing actions, and he suggests all sectors of society to be involved in the process, 2) intersectoral coordination, integrating multiple scales, and 3) involving multiple actors in the production and dissemination of and access to knowledge.

To present CONDESAN’s approach to work to the Andean region, he mentions a project carried out in seven countries of the region in alliance with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and other actors, whose purpose is to promote scientific knowledge for policy making and converting it to action on the ground.

Regarding the development of collaborative networks, M. Peralvo explains that the first key is to have a good network of scientists who are able to formulate and respond in a concrete way to the questions demanded by the region. In the case of the example given above, the research question was how climate change affects the mountains of the Andean region, given the differences between them. The second key, he says, is to strengthen local capacities to implement long-term monitoring processes. The third key is to integrate the social and environmental dimensions in the investigation.

M. Peralvo goes on to explain what he considers essential for achieving collective action and sustainable management of mountain landscapes, stressing that collaboration, coordination, and communication facilitate integration at different levels. At the national level intersectoral actions can be promoted. At the local level he especially recommends establishment of effective communication with governments, as they are closer 29

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to the problems and needs of the community. He also highlights the importance of choosing the correct level for discussions to take place.

As an example, he indicates that the local level is adequate to discuss, among other considerations, priorities in terms of land use management.

R. Nuti thanks the panelists and explains the second part of the panel, in which they will exchange opinions. She begins with the following reflection: From your own perspective, how do you believe you can take advantage of this virtual summit.

C. Adler highlights the importance of maintaining communication and exchanging experiences as knowledge and experience continue to be generated regarding how to achieve commitments based on scientific approaches. She says the timing of the event is crucial and it is highly pertinent to reflect on the possibilities of collaborating more closely with colleagues to identify where common goals converge and in order to move forward with greater conviction and goals in mind.

S. Schneiderbauer emphasizes that this event brings together persons whose interests include every level and every area, which is very important in achieving the objective of the Alliance for the paramos. He further explains that when talking of paramos, we must include mountain area ecosystems, which though apparently remote and scarce, provide ecosystem services such as biodiversity, water, etc. for lowland areas.

On the other hand, power is concentrated and decisions are made in these lowland areas. Therefore, cooperation of actors from both areas is essential in order to achieve the objective of protecting the paramos.

He notes that the agenda includes representatives of both mountain and lowlands areas, which he sees as favorable.

R. Boscolo observes that the event offers the possibility of eliminating obstacles, which, she says: 1) strengthens the institutional environment, being an event that brings together all actors and seeks a joint solution from different perspectives, 2) favors the exchange of information and knowledge between sectors and facilitates the identification and implementation of solutions, and 3) facilitates international cooperation and knowledge transfer.

B. Cáceres believes what is important is to promote the conservation of the ecosystem. He highlights: 1) the necessity of maintaining current information networks to ensure data series, given that they will support projections of future ecosystem behavior, and 2) from the science perspective, trying to bring knowledge to the inhabitants of the high mountains in as straightforward a manner as possible, and in concordance with decision makers, in order to facilitate the implementation of adaptation actions. He believes the Alliance for the paramos should be promoted at the regional level.

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MEMORIES OF THE FIRST WORLD VIRTUAL SUMMIT OF HIGH MOUNTAINS IN COLOMBIA: Monitoring systems for forests, páramos and glaciers

M. Peralvo says that the initiative for the protection of the paramos should be extended throughout Andean landscapes. He points out that urban, as well as rural populations are interacting with ecosystem services and are also exposed to the risks associated with these ecosystems.

Peralvo sees this as an opportunity for policy makers to work on harmonizing the management between upstream and downstream ecosystems, thus recognizing the importance of both mountain and urban areas.

Closing R. Nitu thanks the organizers and recalls that a year ago Yolanda González, Director of IDEAM, participated as a speaker in Geneva and promised a 2020 Summit in Colombia. That promise was fulfilled, helping maintain momentum for global efforts. Nitu expresses her satisfaction with the panel and highlights its diversity, recalling the organizations to which each panelist belongs, and remarking how this diversity provides complementary views from the global to the local level, allowing all participants to address and support the initiative for the protection of the paramos at a regional level.

Conclusions 1.

The recognition of the differentiated consequences of climate change between developed and developing countries and between ecosystems of higher and lower altitude raises the need to expand the proposal of an alliance for the protection of the paramos and propose a global strategy for all mountain ecosystems, given their status as primary providers of ecosystem services for the world’s population.

1.

The strengthening and articulation of multilevel organizations and entities will be key to consolidating the Alliance for the paramos. Need arises to maintain the dynamics of exchange of experiences and knowledge, adapting to the conditions that the new planetary dynamics allow. Holding this Summit in a time of pandemic has shown that efforts can continue to move forward, rather than pausing the processes the planet demands.

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MEMORIES OF THE FIRST WORLD VIRTUAL SUMMIT OF HIGH MOUNTAINS IN COLOMBIA: Monitoring systems for forests, páramos and glaciers

Temathic axis: Climate change Country: Spain Speaker: Dr. Ignacio López Moreno, PhD Profile: Dr. Ignacio López is a Scientific Researcher at the Pyrenean Institute of Ecology (CSIC). His research focuses on the study of the hydrological and geomorphological consequences of global change in high mountain areas. To do this, it studies how fluctuations and climate change affect the snow cover and glaciers, and how these changes affect the availability of water resources downstream. His study takes place mainly in the Pyrenees and in different mountains of Spain, although he also works regularly in the Andes and North America (USA and Canada).

The disappearance of glaciers in southern Europe: processes and impacts in the Pyrenees as a case study European glaciers in the Scandinavian Alps and Iceland have, in much of their overall mass, ice of great depth and thickness; yet, in spite of their massive size and bulk, they have not been spared the effects of global warming and have suffered significant decreases in mass. Projections indicate that even in favorable scenarios an increase in the warming of the region could cause 40% of currently existing glaciers to disappear. Risk of deglaciation, decrease in water availability, and loss in the beauty of the landscape are directly associated with the impending loss of these ecosystems.

Currently in Europe there are glaciers that do not exceed 5 hectares in surface—such as those found in the Pyrenees Mountain Range—which, though small, provide a suitable place of study for evaluating, anticipating, and projecting what may happen in larger glaciers.

In 1850 there were 52 glaciers in the Pyrenees, with a total surface area of 2060 hectares. Today there are only 19 glaciers, whose total surface area is a mere 242 hectares. López Moreno’s presentation includes photographs documenting the evolving degradation of these glaciers. They reveal a significant loss of land heritage in this region.

The monitoring of glaciers is carried out along three main axes: 1.

Movement of glaciers: observation of cracks and natural forms, time studies of anchored beacons, and radar testing to determine whether the glacier still produces ice.

2.

Identification of how much ice remains: georadar technology allows the determination of a glacier’s life span.

3.

Quantification of annual changes in area and volume: carried out by means of ablation stakes, satellite images, and laser scanners.

Currently, a comparison of images of the 15 most important glaciers in the Pyrenees is being carried out through LIDAR methodology, which measures the area with images taken in 2011 and compares them to high-precision photogrammetry images taken by drones in 2020. This comparison allows us to determine the decrease in glacier mass. Aerial 32

MEMORIES OF THE FIRST WORLD VIRTUAL SUMMIT OF HIGH MOUNTAINS IN COLOMBIA: Monitoring systems for forests, páramos and glaciers

LIDAR methodology, besides allowing the determination of glacier mass, helps researchers observe other geomorphological and environmental processes in other mountains.

It is important to note that glaciers contain an environmental record, because, due to their characteristics, they preserve material that can later be studied. Likewise, the deterioration and demise of glaciers leaves behind new landforms and bodies of water, such as lakes. Formation of lakes, in its turn, allows for the creation of new lines of research: limnology (freshwater studies), the study of associated vegetation and fauna, and the study of soils and their evolution.

Finally, López points out that in Colombia there is a phenomenon called paramization, which consists of the colonization of paramo species in areas where a glacier previously existed. This colonization happens quickly compared to what happens in Europe, where there is a slower succession of vegetation. López believes that this may be due to the precipitation and solar radiation and energy that is particular to Colombia. He also mentions the importance of paramos as water reserves that mitigate the effect of the loss of glaciers, while in Europe blankets of seasonal snow that melt in spring perform a hydrological function in maintaining water resources and supplying water for lower lying areas.

Conclusions 1.

Glaciers in Southern Europe are getting close to disappearing, resulting in great loss of land heritage in the high mountain areas of this region.This is a clarion call for the people of these countries to fully realize the existence of climate change and its influence on the disappearance of ecosystems.

2.

The appearance of new technologies such as drones facilitates collection of data for study and monitoring of a glacial degradation. Such technologies can be implemented in other mountain ecosystems, as well.

3.

It is imperative to carry out glaciology studies that allow the extraction of the greatest amount of information from these ecosystems and the processes associated with deglaciation, in order to have a better understanding of the dynamics we currently face.

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MEMORIES OF THE FIRST WORLD VIRTUAL SUMMIT OF HIGH MOUNTAINS IN COLOMBIA: Monitoring systems for forests, páramos and glaciers

Thematic axis: Climate change Country: Indonesia Speaker: Donaldi Permana, PhD Profile: Dr. Donaldi Permana has a Bachelor degree in Mathematics, a Master’s degree in Geology and a Doctoral degree in Geology from the School of Earth Sciences Byrd Polar Research Center of The Ohio State University School of Earth Sciences.

His focus of interest is atmospheric, oceanic and cryospheric sciences. In particular, his research includes the paleoclimatology of tropical ice cores, tropical atmospheric variability on time scales of 1 to 10 days in the maritime continent, analysis of meteorological radar data, and wave modeling. He currently works at the Lore Lindu Bariri Global Atmosphere Watch (VAG) - BMKG station, Palu, Indonesia and has made multiple publications such as "Climatic reconstruction derived from ice cores of the tropical glaciers of Papua, Indonesia and Recent Retreat.

Climate change based on tropical core Oceania glaciers in the region of Puncak Jaya (Carstensz Pyramid) in Papua, Indonesia By way of introduction, Dr. Permana recognizes as the main causes of climate change: 1.

Natural factors: a) behavior of the sun, b) changes in the quantities of volcanic aerosols in the atmosphere, internal variability in the atmosphere-ocean coupling (ENSO – El Niño-Southern Oscillation, NAO – North Atlantic Oscillation, and Monsoon).

2.

Non-natural factors (anthropogenic actions): a) changes in the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere due to increased industrial pollution, b) changes in the presence of aerosols and particles from fossil fuels and biomass, cooling of biomass (black carbon) c) changes in the reflectivity of the earth’s surface and the hydrological cycle.

Beyond this, he compares the global concentration of CO2 to that of Indonesia, pointing out that the trend is similar but the values of the latter are a little lower. He goes on to show maps of temperature and rainfall near the Pacific Ocean on different continents, specifically mentioning that in South America, in the glacial zone of Perú’s Huascaran, lower temperatures and rainfall are prevalent. He reminds us that tropical glaciers provide important data on climate change, both with respect to the glacial area itself, and with respect to more global implications that can be decoded from ice core extraction.

The glaciers near Puncak Jaya in Papua, Indonesia, the highest peaks between the Himalayas and the Andes, are the last tropical glaciers of the so-called West Pacific Warm Pool (WPWP). Permana stresses that although the melting of Andean glaciers has accelerated, there are many studies in South America, Africa, and the one he presents in Oceania, which at a glance, show shocking images of glacial loss in a period of only 20 years. He also describes a study in which rain samples were collected (1997-2013) along a line that includes a wide altitudinal range from lowlying areas to heights of 3945m, to validate the composition of the ice as against that of the rain in the area of study for climate reference.

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In 2010 ice cores were taken at depths of up to 32 m.The results showed the annual variation of ENSO Normal vs. El Niño. In the three areas of the altitude range analyzed, low, medium and high, it can be seen that all show a greater enrichment during Niño than normal ENSO, important data in understanding the effects of these processes on glaciers.

Dr. Permana considers ice cores to be powerful tools for multipurpose reconstructions. They provide climatic and environmental evidence and are ideal for revealing rapid changes in climate. They provide relevant historical information in terms of: temperature, atmospheric chemistry, net accumulation, dust in the atmosphere, changes in vegetation, volcanic activity, anthropogenic emissions, and trapped microorganisms.

Dr. Permana shows photos of ice core processing in the laboratory and refers to a 2019 publication by his team which focused on the imminent disappearance of tropical glaciers in the Western Pacific Warm Pool in Papua, Indonesia. The study used analyses of the ice cores and measurement by means of stakes, which were installed in the glacier with the use of an ice drill. These methods permitted them to measure annual deterioration of the surface due to melting. Between 2010 and 2015 the glacier lost a meter in thickness; between 2015 and 2016 it lost 5 m.

Other records document the state of deterioration of the few surviving glaciers in the region and provide information on changing atmospheric and oceanic interactions. The collective data appear to support a conclusion that, since melting increases with the occurrence of El Niño, the next few years are likely to witness the loss of the only tropical glaciers between the Himalayas and the Andes.

Dr. Permana’s projections under scenarios RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 indicate that these glaciers are likely to disappear, in the best of the cases, in 2026; otherwise, the disappearance could occur as little as one or two years from now.The two glaciers studied would be the first tropical glaciers to disappear. If these expectations are fulfilled, their relatively early demise will be due to their low altitude compared to the other two glaciers in the region.

Conclusions Ice core extraction has made it possible, with nearly year-to-year precision, to reconstruct nearly half a century of history of climatic variations in the tropical Pacific. The resulting data have shown an increasing linear trend since 1964, which suggests that glacial melting is being accelerated by the ongoing processes of El Niño – Southern Oscillation (ENSO): convection, warming of the atmosphere, and warming of the sea surface.

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MEMORIES OF THE FIRST WORLD VIRTUAL SUMMIT OF HIGH MOUNTAINS IN COLOMBIA: Monitoring systems for forests, páramos and glaciers

Temathic axis: Climate change Country: Canada Speaker: Dr. Shawn Marshall, PhD Profile: Dr. Shawn Marshall is a glaciologist who joined the Department of Geography of the University of Calgary in 2000. Marshall's research interests include glacier dynamics, cryosphere-climate processes, paleoclimatology, and meteorology of mountain regions. His current research projects include field and modelling studies in the Canadian Rockies, the Canadian Arctic, and Greenland. He held a Canada Research Chair in Climate Change from 2007-2017, studying glacier and ice sheet response to climate change.

Change in glacier regime and glacier decline in Canada Dr. Marshall believes that what is happening in the glaciers of Canada is essentially the same as what is happening in Colombia, the Andes, or any other country of the world. He feels that glaciers in all parts of the world are changing dramatically and that these changes cannot be explained solely by changes in temperature.

Based on the standard graph of WGMS for the consolidated mass balance of reference glaciers around the world, which contains annual records from 1950 to 2020, it is clear that the changes of the past decade have had major effects on the cryosphere. A second comparative graph of the evolution of reference glaciers demonstrates that glaciers in western Canada have lost mass more rapidly, even while displaying trends similar to those of other reference glaciers.

Glaciers in the Canadian Rocky Mountains of British Columbia and Alberta lost 20%-30% of their area between 1985 and 2005, and according to Marshall, it is expected they will lose an additional 25% by 2025. Moreover, recent studies show that at the end of each summer they completely lose their snow and ice, which makes them darker every year.

A graph showing the projection of glacier behavior for subsequent decades till the end of the 21st century, demonstrates that even if climate were stabilized now, the trends in glacier retreat would continue and glaciers of western Canada would lose 50% of their area; if not stabilized, the loss would be 80% to 90%.

Changes in the glacier regime Albedo is the reflection capacity of a surface. Temperature changes have made summers longer, favoring glacier melt for longer periods. This allows impurities, dust, sediments and black carbon to accumulate on the surface, which means that the reflective capacity of the glacier, normally 80%, is progressively reduced, even reaching values of 20%. In practical terms, this means that 80% of the sun’s energy is absorbed by the glacier, thereby multiplying the potential for glacier melting by 4.

1. Occurrence of rain instead of snowfall The increasing occurrence of rain, rather than snow, also affects albedo. Snowfall increases albedo by up to 10% and protects the glacier by 36

MEMORIES OF THE FIRST WORLD VIRTUAL SUMMIT OF HIGH MOUNTAINS IN COLOMBIA: Monitoring systems for forests, páramos and glaciers

adding mass. When rain falls on surface snow, it accelerates the melting process, likewise accelerating decrease in albedo.

2. Forest fires Forest fires are a globally relevant effect. Marshall presents a two-week study in the summer of 2017, when historic wildfires occurred in western Canada. The data show how quickly this glacier, located in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, turned darker due to the deposition of windborne carbon, increasing black carbon, and even inorganic carbon. These depositions darkened the glacier, reducing its albedo to values comparable to those of the ocean. These are the lowest albedos reported by Marshall in a Canadian glacier. This effect is also common in the Amazon, where there are reports from Bolivia of glacier darkening due to the occurrence of forest fires in 2018.

3. Increase in internal temperature of the glacier Experiments on glaciers in the Canadian Arctic have shown an increase in the internal temperature of glaciers from -10 °C to 0 °C over the last 10 years. Models have allowed a depth of 20m. The presence of an aquifer at 34m was detected which heats the entire system, generating internal melting and percolation of water, all unlikely to be frozen at any time. These factors accelerate loss of mass.

4. Increase in humidity of the atmosphere Climate change has increased the presence of water vapor in the troposphere; specific humidity is expected to increase. There has not been conclusive research in this respect, but models suggest that this increase occurs at all altitudes, possibly more at higher elevations. Variation of specific humidity with elevation is important because the more humid the atmosphere, the more water will spread over the glacial surface.This is particularly relevant for tropical glaciers, where the regime could shift toward greater long wave radiation and flux of latent heat, generating further change of regime in higher altitude glaciers. This, finally, would bring a transformation from dominant sublimation to greater melting.

Rainfall regime also could change, causing the cold glaciers to become temperate.

Increased humidity impacts water and energy balance in mountains, glaciers, and paramos, with greater precipitation probably occurring at higher elevations. We need to better understand how the effects of all these changes may vary in relation to elevation.

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MEMORIES OF THE FIRST WORLD VIRTUAL SUMMIT OF HIGH MOUNTAINS IN COLOMBIA: Monitoring systems for forests, páramos and glaciers

Conclusions 1.

Many factors other than warming are changing in high mountain regions. Glaciers all over the planet are melting, and this situation cannot be explained solely through temperature.

2.

Changes in humidity, cloud cover, and surface cover affect local energy and water balance. The amount of water that evaporates, sublimates, melts, or runs off; the occurrence of snowfall or rain; forest fires; and human activities are elements that we need to analyze holistically to better understand mountain environments, including the way in which climate varies with altitude.

Thematic axis: Climate change Country: Switzerland Speaker: Dr. Mathias Vuille, PhD Profile: Dr. Mathias Vuille is a Professor in the Department of Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences at the University at Albany of the State University of New York (SUNY). He teaches courses in Climate Variability and Predictability, Climate Change, Paleoclimatology, and Major Topics in Environmental Science.

His research focuses on past, present, and future climate change in the tropics with an emphasis on reconstructing past changes in the South American Monsoon System (SAMS) and understanding the impacts of climate change on glacier mass balance and water resources in the tropical Andes.

Rapid decline of snow and ice in the tropical Andes - Impacts, uncertainties and challenges ahead Dr. Vuille begins his presentation by highlighting the importance of the information provided by glaciers regarding climate change and resultant environmental changes. He states that glacier monitoring can be done through chronological comparison of photos at the same location. To illustrate this, he demonstrates how such photographs of the Espejo Glacier in Venezuela illustrate the process of its disappearance, which culminated at the beginning of this century, and adds that the remaining Venezuelan glacier areas will be completely extinct in the coming years.

He continues with images of Sierra Nevada de Cocuy o Güicán in Colombia and warns that its extinction could occur in a matter of decades.

He next shows Quelccaya glacier on the Cordillera Blanca in Peru, which is the most extensive of the Andean tropical glaciers, but which has also presented a marked melting in recent decades. Finally, he presents the Chacaltaya glacier in Bolivia, formerly the highest ski field on the planet, which completely disappeared in 2009.

To reinforce these images, Vuille shows a graph taken from a study published in 2013, which consolidates the status of 10 Andean glaciers in Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia between 1940 and 2010 in terms of length and area.Their behavior shows the same trend of rapid melting from the 70s-90s. He points out, however, that the evolution of the length is not the most efficient indicator to evaluate what happens in a glacier and introduces the concept of mass balance, pointing out that this is a better 38

MEMORIES OF THE FIRST WORLD VIRTUAL SUMMIT OF HIGH MOUNTAINS IN COLOMBIA: Monitoring systems for forests, páramos and glaciers

indicator because it permits the evaluation of the amount of stored water being lost. The graphs from this study show a negative trend in the glacier mass balance over the past few decades.

He goes on to show how graphs of the accumulated mass balance and temperatures from 1990-2006 of two glaciers in Ecuador and Bolivia reveal that the most negative values of the glacier mass balance (greatest mass loss) occur in the periods of greater temperatures, including El Niño of 1997. In a graph projected from the observations made between 1950 and 2010, which take into account the RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 scenarios, it can be observed that the temperature will increase at the end of this century by between 1.1 °C and 5.1 °C, depending on the model and scenario analyzed, with respect to the current temperature.

On the other hand, he explains that temperature does not vary uniformly throughout the Andes mountain range, but depends on elevation. To demonstrate this, he presents graphs for RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 scenarios, which show the difference between the east and west sides of the mountain range.

Vuille explains that in order to understand how these studies allow us to project future changes in Andean glaciers, we must simultaneously track the Equilibrium Line Altitude (ELA)– the altitude at which the mass balance is zero—and the Freezing Level Height (FLH)–the elevation at which the temperature is 0 °C). The graphs show a clear correlation between FLH and ELA for several Andean glaciers. The described methodology indicates that from projections of the evolution of the ELA over time for different emission scenarios, the date of extinction of the glacier under analysis can be estimated. This will occur when the ELA is located at an altitude that exceeds the maximum elevation of the glacier under analysis. He reinforces our understanding of this methodology by presenting graphs of various theoretical estimations of probable extinction dates for glaciers in Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia.

To close his presentation, Dr. Vuille asks why it is important to understand the process of glacial retreat and its potential impacts, and answers as follows: 1) they are water regulators, guaranteeing water provision in dry periods and retention in cold periods, 2) they may form lagoons that pose a danger to downstream communities, 3) they help maintain temperature in downstream ecosystems, 4) they can influence the creation or resolution of conflicts related to water access, 5) they are important to tourism, and 6) they are significant for cultural belief systems: many indigenous communities in the region view glaciers as sacred.

Vuille explains the importance of glaciers as providers of water in the tropical Andes, suggesting that there may be confusion and misunderstanding on this topic, but adds that their relevance is not the same throughout the region, depending on proximity to the glacier: nearby 39

MEMORIES OF THE FIRST WORLD VIRTUAL SUMMIT OF HIGH MOUNTAINS IN COLOMBIA: Monitoring systems for forests, páramos and glaciers

communities have a greater dependency than distant ones. In addition, there are other water regulation systems in the northern Andes, those associated with the presence of wetlands, bofedales, or paramos with high retention capacity—features found primarily in Ecuador and Colombia. He adds that glaciers are more important as providers of water in southern Peru and Bolivia, where dry seasons last for several months a year. Finally, he mentions that many studies have demonstrated that even in the absence of climate change scenarios, there would be water scarcity in certain places due to increased water demand brought on by population growth and economic growth. This implies resource allocation problems.

Conclusions 1.

It is important to monitor changes in glaciers in the Andean mountains as a means of projecting future implications.

Monitoring in the tropical Andes is based on spatially and temporally isolated case studies, making it difficult to combine robust data. It is important to establish properly funded long-term monitoring processes to reliably advance the understanding of glacial dynamics at the local, national, and regional levels.

1.

It is important to recognize that although Andean countries such as Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru have a low carbon footprint, they nonetheless suffer the global impacts of climate change and have been forced to implement responses to adapt to a situation they did not create. Therefore, it is incumbent on developed countries to recognize this inequity and establish financial support mechanisms for Andean communities now in the process of establishing long-term monitoring networks.

Water governance in glacier basins, challenges and advances for water security in the Americas Dr. Cerna begins his presentation by explaining that governance seeks to build a global agenda against the retreat of glaciers and that the Integrated Section of Water Resources focuses its action on the relationship between glacial retreat and water management. They have learned that it is important to approach water management issues from a complex set of perspectives, and with a comprehensive approach. Currently, the Andes mountain range is home to between 95% and 99% of the tropical glaciers in the world: 71% in Peru, 22% in Bolivia, 4% in Ecuador, 3% in Colombia and 2% in Venezuela, according to the Andean Community (CAN).

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has predicted that in a scenario of high GHG emissions, 80% of the glaciers may be lost by 2100, and that precipitation patterns will vary between extremes of rain and drought. It is also notable that glacier ecosystems and 40

MEMORIES OF THE FIRST WORLD VIRTUAL SUMMIT OF HIGH MOUNTAINS IN COLOMBIA: Monitoring systems for forests, páramos and glaciers

meltwater represent a significant percentage of the water supply for the cities of Quito (5%), La Paz (65%), Huaraz (67%); and the contribution in times of drought is even higher: 85%, 91%, and 91% respectively. This demonstrates the importance of glacier management from a water supply perspective.

Glaciers are relevant not only in technical terms, but also because when one is lost, in addition to putting water security at risk, a system of knowledge, practices, beliefs, and rituals related to this ecosystem is also put at risk. Complete understanding reveals a complex system that must be managed from an integral point of view. Moreover, studies in Peru indicate that glacial melting will cause the formation of new lagoons that may present dangers due to their composition, location, and geomorphology. These lagoons could affect the livelihoods of neighboring communities.

The complexity of managing glaciers invites us to think about territorial resilience as the capacity of communities and countries to respond to all of these challenges, not only those posed by water governance.

For this, it is necessary to include other aspects of governance such as: climate, risk management, and environmental, and at the same time, to promote participatory decision-making related to the use of, and access to resources.

Although much scientific information and environmental knowledge about the operation of glaciers currently exists, knowledge from the viewpoint of the social sciences is scarce; yet, it is clear that such knowledge is needed for us to understand the interrelation between natural processes and human dimensions. Toward this end, Cerna explains, various projects have been carried out with the help of international cooperation, highlighting: 1) GLACIARES +, the regional Andean project for adaptation to climate change due to the impact of the accelerated retreat of glaciers in the tropical Andes, which has been implemented in Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia, and 2) the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) project, Climate Change and Water Resources in the Tropical Andes, carried out by Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia.

Among the lessons learned from glacier management is that there are similar problems throughout the region, which, if considered together, would allow for the construction of a regional glacier retreat agenda.

This plan should be based on a consensus of similarities and should recognize sovereignty by integrating the public policies and priorities of each country. Finally, Cerna stresses that contributions to, advances in, and management of knowledge are essential, so that measures generated accord with human dimensions.

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MEMORIES OF THE FIRST WORLD VIRTUAL SUMMIT OF HIGH MOUNTAINS IN COLOMBIA: Monitoring systems for forests, páramos and glaciers

Conclusions 1.

Governance is an emerging term that views development—through lenses of human rights, gender, and intergenerational and multilevel relations approaches—as a sustainable, participatory, and inclusive process in communities that inhabit the territories of a region. The term governance integrates global, regional, national, and local governance through the cooperation of governments at all levels, but particularly highlighting actions made at local levels.

2.

Among the challenges for the management of glaciers is their prominence among high mountain issues. There is a need to create projects and measures that promote the use of glacial water for the service of citizens and form agendas that both address technical needs and incorporate human dimensions, including the socioeconomic and cultural dynamics of the territories.

3.

Advances in glacier management have been valuable for decision-making and resource management, but it is also necessary to explore the cultural and social impacts of glaciers in order to generate adaptive actions within communities that have experienced glaciers in different ways. Colombia, with its experience in the participatory monitoring of glaciers and glacier governance, is a successful model to be applied in other regions.

Thematic axis: Climate change Country: Switzerland Speaker: Dr. Christian Huggel, PhD Profile: Dr. Christian Huggel is a geographer, currently serving as a Professor of Geography at the University of Zurich in Switzerland. His research focuses on climate impacts and risks and adaptation to climate change, primarily in mountain and high-mountain regions. He seeks to understand how climate and climate change affect environmental and socio-environmental systems, how these systems respond in the context of multiple drivers of change, and which changes can be attributed to climate change and which can be attributed to other drivers. Professor Huggel studies dangers to glaciers and other mountains, such as glacier lake outburst floods, avalanches, landslides, and volcano-ice interactions. He makes hazard, vulnerability and risk assessments and studies integrated monitoring and early warning systems.

His geographic research focuses on the European Alps, the Andes, Alaska, Caucasus, and Himalaya.

Impacts of climate and cryosphere change related to adaptation in high mountain regions of Europe and beyond Dr. Huggel begins by explaining that glaciers in Europe, particularly in the Alps, but also in other parts of the world, are rapidly retreating. He relies on photographs and satellite images to show the differentiated loss of mass and area in different parts of the Alps. He also highlights the risk of floods because of the formation of lagoons due to glacial melting in some regions.

He presents projections for the rest of the century for three glacial zones: Europe, the tropics, and Asia, considering the three scenarios— 42

MEMORIES OF THE FIRST WORLD VIRTUAL SUMMIT OF HIGH MOUNTAINS IN COLOMBIA: Monitoring systems for forests, páramos and glaciers

RCP 2.6, RCP 4.5, and RCP 8.5—and explains the differentiated impacts on glaciers in the three zones based on the achievement of emission reduction and slowing the increase in global temperature. In general, glaciers in Asia, being the highest, are those that can be conserved over the time.

He presents a more hidden component of the cryosphere, permafrost— land that remains frozen throughout the year—and which at greater depths, can be simply frozen rock or sediment. In Europe permafrost monitoring records in the Alps, gleaned from deep drilling, have been maintained for about 30 years. Studies of these records show a clear trend toward temperature increase, which can generate instability in the mountains and thus pose a significant risk to nearby populations.

Dr. Huggel then presents a graph showing the multiple effects of climate change on downstream regions.The graph also shows that we must seek to offset the aforementioned effects through appropriate mitigation and adaptation.At the first level of interest, prevention of loss of glacier mass, melting of permafrost, and permanent reduction of snow, mitigation is the primary need. It is noted that at this level, reduction of emissions is key to avoiding the consequences described in the succeeding levels.

At the second level, where adaptation and mitigation measures are required simultaneously, there are: ice or rock avalanches, which can occur within a time scale of minutes; loss of seasonal water of glacial origin, where the time scale is months; alteration and loss of ecosystems, over a time scale of years; and finally, the transformation and loss of landscapes, which may occur over the course of one or several decades.

At the third level are shown the social and economic impacts, which include loss of lives, resources, or habitats, and finally, loss of cultural identity. This third level can damage infrastructure and ultimately affect the income level of communities, altering security and social order. Here the implementation of adaptation measures is decisively essential.

Another area of consideration, the impact of the cryosphere on water availability, is relevant. Studies show that mountain water dependence has grown in 40 years by more than 300%, from 600 million to 2 billion people globally.The projection shows that this dependency will continue increasing, and development models will have important implications there.

Regarding the impact of glacier melt in terms of risk, Huggel refers to his studies in the Cordillera Blanca of Peru, the most important glacier chain in the Andes, and the tropics in general. These studies, under the conditions of the RCP 8.5 scenario, predict the near disappearance of all the glaciers in the area, except for the highest peaks. The importance of achieving global emission reductions is highlighted once again, since 43

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in scenarios RCP 2.6 and RCP 6.5 the masses that could be conserved would be much higher. Huggel presents comparative maps of potential flooding in the region for the different climate change scenarios and again warns that under RCP 8.5 conditions, the risk of outburst floods would increase significantly.

In terms of possible solutions, recent studies have shown the importance of not only modeling the risks associated with flood occurrence, but also understanding the flows of water for daily consumption. Local populations depend on these models, which offer the possibility of ameliorating the trend toward water scarcity through the implementation of adaptation measures, and of risk reduction through prevention measures. Images are shown of solutions implemented in the Alps after the occurrence of avalanches, and of the installation of geotextile blankets in specific areas of a glacier to protect the ice.

Finally, of the named non-structural measures, Huggel emphasizes the importance of involving communities, for example, through the creation of community networks of early warnings. Measures of this kind have been successfully put into practice in southern Peru, the Alps and the Himalayas. These strategies must be accompanied by the generation and dissemination of hazard maps, which also serve as a land use planning tool.

Conclusions 1.

It is important to consider not only extreme events, but also to work toward security of water supply.

2.

It is necessary to improve the integration of local knowledge.

3.

Studies carried out in many mountains allow us to affirm that the current level of adaptation is not sufficient to meet the risks posed by present and future global climatic conditions, especially in scenarios of high warming.

4.

In some places adaptive capacity may have reached its limits in terms of what could be called soft adaptation—for example, adaptation supported by governance—which normally predominates over hard adaptation, such as biophysical means. Great efforts are required to overcome these limits, and it will be necessary to monitor the measures that are implemented in order to quantify their effectiveness.

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MEMORIES OF THE FIRST WORLD VIRTUAL SUMMIT OF HIGH MOUNTAINS IN COLOMBIA: Monitoring systems for forests, páramos and glaciers

Thematic axis: Climate change Country: Colombia Speaker: Mr. Carlos Sarmiento, MSc Profile: Mr. Carlos Sarmiento is a geographer with a Master of Biological Sciences degree from Universidad Nacional de Colombia. He has 20 years of experience in the environmental sector, specializing in monitoring and management of protected areas and strategic ecosystems. He has coordinated technical studies of the paramos for their delimitation and conservation. He is currently linked to the Paramos & Bosques Program through EP Carbon (Ecological Carbon Offset Partners, LLC) in strengthening the capacities of Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) for local institutions and organizations.

Mitigation of Climate Change in paramo and high mountain territories in Colombia To demonstrate how the popular view of high mountain ecosystems has changed throughout history, Sarmiento displays an oil painting illustrating the passage of the liberating army through Paramo de Pisba, remarking that at the time of this depiction, these areas were associated with suffering and pain and were considered dangerous and difficult to access.

Later, he explains, they became associated with a deeper assessment of the ecosystem, which is reflected in the images he now shows: series of Colombian coins and bills with illustrations of high mountain biodiversity. Sarmiento points out that yet another assessment can be seen in the legal and political disputes involving mining exploitation interests in paramo areas. Finally, he finishes by presenting a fourth assessment, this one from the communities, who seek to make known their existence and their dependence on the paramos. He remarks that their decisions, made in conjunction with the environmental authorities, have made it possible to preserve much of the value of paramo ecosystems.

Colombia integrates high equatorial mountain ecosystems within the concept of the paramo complex, which ranges from the lower limit of the forest-paramo transition, to glaciers and snow areas, and includes as well, areas transformed by human activities. For this reason, both agricultural and urban areas are found to exist within the boundaries of the paramo complex. The greatest transformation of paramo areas has occurred in the eastern mountain range of the country. Updated statistics—which require continuous monitoring—do not currently exist with regard to agricultural production in the high mountains.

Mr. Sarmiento notes that a recent IAvH review of the national agricultural census, a document that facilitates the diagnosis of this activity, will be an important input for the definition of climate change mitigation strategies and will contribute to the possible conversion of these activities.

He emphasizes that understanding the way paramos currently function is fundamental.

He adds that paramos are one of the scenarios of post-agreement, since some of them were depopulated by the activity and presence of armed groups.The inhabitants now intending to return to their lands face a new conflict associated with the delimitation of the territory and the regulation of productive activities.

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MEMORIES OF THE FIRST WORLD VIRTUAL SUMMIT OF HIGH MOUNTAINS IN COLOMBIA: Monitoring systems for forests, páramos and glaciers

On the other hand, he points out that climate change, too, is an engine of transformation. High mountains are considered to be one of the ecosystems most vulnerable to temperature increase, there being documented cases in which temperature increases more rapidly in high mountains than at other altitudes. Likewise, mountains are more impacted by decreases in biodiversity, mainly due to fragmentation problems and various anthropic pressures. Turning then, to climate change mitigation strategy, carbon stocks and the high mountain carbon cycle are known, and there are data on what could be assumed as challenges and opportunities for the carbon market in those territories.

Mr. Sarmiento explains that the Paramos & Bosques Program contributes to knowledge of the dynamics of the high mountains, specifically of its carbon cycle, and works in partnership with the The Sustainable Wetlands Adaptation and Mitigation Program (SWAMP), focusing especially on humid areas that are home to the highest carbon content. He adds that among the best alternatives to capturing GHG emissions are: 1. Avoiding the transformation of ecosystems or making better use of them.

2. Ecosystem restoration.

He notes that the adoption of these options implies implementing different strategies depending on which scenarios arise in the ecosystem, which implies a more complex technical review: a suitability analysis to identify activities with high impact on emissions reduction, which allows reductions to be quantified and the results to be applied in market mechanisms.

Finally, Sarmiento states that community work is very important to the program, and for this reason, processes of participatory carbon monitoring and processes of strengthening the participation of local communities are carried out. In this way, communities will be able to make informed decisions toward equitable participation in carbon market projects in the Andean territories.

Conclusions 1.

To advance in climate change mitigation processes in the paramos and the Colombian high mountains, it is urgent to identify and prioritize activities classified as high impact, as well as to adequately evaluate the historical and expected dynamics of land use change.

2.

In order to offer sustainable development alternatives, it is necessary to evaluate the applicability of multiple carbon credit certification methodologies and standards and to advance in the evaluation of different measurement technology options including active community involvement.

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MEMORIES OF THE FIRST WORLD VIRTUAL SUMMIT OF HIGH MOUNTAINS IN COLOMBIA: Monitoring systems for forests, páramos and glaciers

Thematic axis: Climate change Country: Venezuela Speaker: Dr. Luis Daniel Llambí, PhD Profile: Dr. Luis Llambí is a professor at the Institute of Environmental and Ecological Sciences, Universidad de Los Andes,Venezuela and Coordinator of Programa Adaptación al Cambio Climático en Montañas (Adaptation to Climate Change in the Mountains Program) of the Consortium for Sustainable Development in the Andean Eco-Region (CONDESAN-COSUDE). He has a Bachelor's Degree in Biology (Simón Bolívar University,Venezuela) and a PhD in Biology (York University, England). Llambí’s work has been focused on the analysis of assembly patterns, processes, and dynamics within plant communities and the consequent changes in the diversity, structure, and resilience of these communities. Llambí is currently Coordinator in Venezuela of the GLORIA-Andes Network, Coordinator in the Andean Forest Network, and an Explorer of the National Geographic Society.

A journey towards integrated monitoring in the ecosystems of the Andes Dr. Llambí begins his presentation by highlighting the worldwide consensus on loss of biodiversity and the significant consequent effects on both ecosystem services and human well-being—and coincident consensus that these effects are due to complex interactions which require an increased understanding of changes in land and land use and other related disturbances to environments.

Environmental monitoring systems usually study and analyze biodiversity, ecosystem services, and human well-being separately. For the Andes it is necessary to develop more comprehensive monitoring systems.

Because of its equatorial latitude and high elevations, the region has experienced great changes due to global warming, including temperature and precipitation increases, which can be higher than the global rate, and extreme events for some areas of the region. In the case of land use, there is heterogeneity in the patterns and trends, with an especially great intensity in the transformation of land use in the northern Andes and areas of low elevation. Nonetheless, along the entire Andes range we find a high degree of transformation of land use in more than 50% of areas above 500 meters.

While complex, this scenario has presented scientists with an opportunity to study the extremely varied aspects of the altitude gradient of the Andes: significant advances have been made in monitoring processes at the continental level, and for more than a decade, a series of long-term monitoring networks have been consolidated. These include the GLORIA-Andes Network, Andean Forest Network, and IMHEA hydrological monitoring of Andean ecosystems. Some regional initiatives have also been developed to monitor glaciers, such as the World Glacier Monitoring System (WGMS) and the UNESCO Working Group on Andean Ice and Snow.

The GLORIA-Andes network has monitoring posts in seven Andean countries where vegetation and temperature in the mountains have been monitored for more than ten years. The vegetation monitoring data provide useful information in two respects: 1) documentation of the change in species richness according to elevation, and incidentally, 47

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the diversity of Andean ecosystems; and 2) gathering of information related to the vulnerability of vegetation to the effects of climate change through the study of thermal niches, communities, and plant species.

The Andean Forest Network, in which twenty-one institutions from different countries participate, has 491 Andean forest plots, 203 of which are constantly re-sampled, and more than ten types of Andean forest ecosystems that are monitored at different elevations.This network provides data related to changes in the structure of forests and on thermophilization processes of vegetation species in Andean forests.

According to Llambí, some lessons learned from existing networks are: 1.

The importance of having standardized protocols and strategies for sharing information on a continental scale, which promote the preparation of analysis and comparative studies of the data.

2.

The consolidation of South-South cooperation among the institutions of the Andes which has generated a process of capacity development.

3.

The generation of data and indicators to understand continental patterns of vegetation response to climate change.

Nonetheless, the need for more articulated monitoring work persists.

Within the framework of two CONDESAN programs—Programa de Bosques Andinos (Andean Forests Program) and Programa Adaptación al Cambio Climático en Montañas (Adaptation to Heights Programs)— more than 40 experts were consulted to identify knowledge gaps in adaptation to climate change. To fill these gaps, it will be important to strengthen long-term monitoring at the local level.

An example of integrated monitoring is the case of Colombia, where different monitoring initiatives exist (including: vegetation, carbon, glaciers, among others). The fact that these initiatives have functioned separately has revealed the need to consolidate a monitoring platform that comprehends the interdependent relationships among the different mountain ecosystems. Currently, IDEAM, IAvH, and CONDESAN are working on such an Integrated Strategy for Monitoring High Mountain Ecosystems of Colombia (EMA), which includes state-of-the-art monitoring and proposes a multiscale approach.

Integrated monitoring from EMA coordinates data from local to national levels. It has a socio-ecological approach that comprehends the social dynamics that influence and generate changes in ecosystems and a multi-ecosystem approach which recognizes that high Andean mountains are conceived through the interaction of glaciers, paramos, wetlands, 48

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forests, and rivers. It focuses on the regional landscape scale, because it considers landscape to be the central axis of analysis, since landscape provides information on the diversity of natural and transformed systems within the framework of the social dynamics of the territory. EMA also gives importance to understanding elevation and transformation gradients in determining the drivers of change, such as land use, on which the transformation and functionality of ecosystems depend.

Llambí points out that the next steps should be: 1.

By IDEAM and IAvH: Implementation of an EMA Pilot in Río Claro near Los Nevados National Natural Park, the site of intended analyses regarding the state and trend of mountain socio-ecosystems and the development of an integrated monitoring protocol replicable in other spaces. The EMA Pilot should take advantage of previous research and monitoring of the area.

2.

Within the framework of the Andean Forests Program and the Adaptation to Heights Program in cooperation with the Institute of Regional Ecology of Tucumán and the Kew Botanical Gardens: Development of an integrated monitoring platform to analyze the dynamics of Andean socio-ecosystems and provide information on the state of the art, which will allow the proposal of a monitoring research agenda throughout the Andes and the promotion of an integrated socio-ecological platform of indicators for the Andean region.

Conclusions 1.

The development of monitoring models and data collection shows a trend toward integrity because the information obtained is enriched by the variety of data and variables provided by multiple study dimensions.

2.

Heterogeneous environments with as many particularities as the mountain ecosystems of the Andes require comprehensive long-term monitoring strategies at continental, national, regional, and local scales.

3.

Comprehensive long-term monitoring with a socio-ecological approach allows us to understand the interdependent relationships among the different ecosystems in the Andes and incorporates analysis of the social dynamics that generate changes in ecosystems.

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MEMORIES OF THE FIRST WORLD VIRTUAL SUMMIT OF HIGH MOUNTAINS IN COLOMBIA: Monitoring systems for forests, páramos and glaciers

Thematic axis: Climate change Country: USA Speaker: Dr. Baker Perry, PhD Profile: Dr. Baker Perry is a professor in the Department of Geography and Planning at Appalache USA State University, he is Ph.D. in Geography with a focus on climate science from the University of North Carolina. He has led and co-directed 21 research expeditions in the tropical Andes, and together with local collaborators, he has installed and maintained 16 weather stations at an elevation of 5000 meters.

Dr. Perry co-led a meteorological team during the National Geographic Society's Mount Everest Research Expedition in 2019, which installed the world's 2 highest weather stations.

Elevating meteorological understanding on Everest: installing the highest weather stations on earth Dr. Perry highlights the importance of glaciers in the provision of fresh water to the planet and stresses the risk implied by their imminent disappearance due to climate change and geopolitical pressures. He adds that despite this immense risk, the meteorological information available for higher elevations of the Hindu Kush-Himalaya region is very scarce, as is the case with knowledge of all other regional groupings of Asian glaciers. This lack of information makes it difficult to measure the sensitivity of glaciers to climate change.

These reflections were a great motivation in leading Baker’s team to install five weather stations on Everest in 2019, covering an altitude range of 3810m to 8430m. Baker presents a video made by National Geographic, which shows powerful images that illustrate the challenges they faced during the installation of these stations, including the highest station in the Earth, at Balcony of Everest. The development of this expedition presented great and permanent challenges for the scientists: logistics, the technical demands of equipment installation, and the development of skills and confidence by the work team breeching such a complex environment.

Some of the early results gathered by this network of meteorological stations installed on Everest are: 1.

Tracking the progressions of two melting seasons, temperature and radiation data indicate that glacial melting is occurring on the highest peaks of the Himalayas above 8000 m including the summit of Everest.

2.

Estimates of minimum Everest temperatures, reconstructed for an elevation 400m below the summit of Mt. Everest—the lowest temperature was -47 °C, the lowest wind chill temperature was -76.6 °C; wind chill temperature based on estimated maximum wind speed.

3.

The lowest stations, located at altitudes of 5,315m and 3,810m, have permitted recording of precipitation data through the use of pluviometers that minimize the effect of wind speed, 50

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which is particularly important to assess the occurrence of solid rain. The information obtained between October 2019 and September 2020 has facilitated the identification of precipitation patterns, analyzing with some level of detail the relationship between the occurrence of monsoons and their variability as a function of elevation.

Conclusions 1.

Weather stations have already provided valuable inputs regarding the climatic and hydroclimatic processes on “the roof of the world.”

2.

The main analyses in progress are: a) precipitation events, including vertical structure and provenance and b) questions about climate in the limits of human endurance. The investigative team posed the following question: Will conditions imposed by winter storms exceed the limits of human physiology?

Thematic axis: Climate change Country: Colombia Speaker: Dr. Jaime Galviz Profile: Dr. Jaime Galviz is an industrial engineer from Universidad de los Andes (Bogotá, Colombia). He has complemented this training with business, management, and strategic marketing programs at INALDE Business School in Bogotá, University of Michigan (USA), and Columbia University (New York). He has attended the IPEC (Institute for Professional Excellence) training program in coaching and has been part of the High-Performance Leadership Program at Saed Business School, Oxford University. This passion for learning has been reflected in his dedication to developing and implementing Microsoft lifelong learning, job training, and new skills development programs, which he has led and executed in partnership with non-profit organizations, government agencies, and learning institutions.

Technology for a Sustainable World: The Planetary Computer Dr. Galviz begins by pointing out that the urgency of responding to the climate crisis is no longer a novelty. Recent natural events such as hurricanes, fires, and floods have devastated and destroyed communities, representing not only loss of natural resources, but the means of livelihood of populations, as well.

This urgency challenges us to break from accustomed patterns of the technological revolution and to move more rapidly toward economically sustainable growth. While technology has many important uses in our daily life, it has not been fully exploited in facing the greatest challenges of the planet: working for future sustainability and the well-being of new generations. Galviz says Microsoft is committed to the protection and care of the high mountains, and accordingly, has drawn up three business commitments: 1.

Zero waste in direct operations: all waste will be treated by means of recycling measures, reuse, and good disposal practices.

To this end, first-rate Microsoft Circular Centers will be created 51

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to reuse software and hardware servers in data centers, single-use plastic packaging will be eliminated, and technology will be used to better keep track of waste.

2.

Positive balance with respect to water use by 2030: more water will be replaced than is used for operations. Selecting overstressed basins, a replenishment project will include investments such as the restoration of wetlands and the elimination of impervious surfaces such as asphalt, which will allow the replacement of water in the basins.

3.

Negative carbons by 2030: a progressive transformation toward a negative carbon balance by 2030, and by 2050, the elimination of all the carbon that as a company has emitted directly or indirectly (by electrical consumption) since its founding in 1975.

Dr. Galviz adds that artificial intelligence (AI) has become an ally in accelerating our commitments, with enormous potential for technology that offers solutions to environmental challenges. From AI it is possible to obtain data on the health of the planet in real time.These data include the characteristics of air, water, and soil, and the well-being of biodiversity, including monitoring, modeling, simulating, and managing natural resources—all contributing to the investigation of solutions based on the data, and projecting different scenarios for decision-making.

Data driven by machine learning will be revolutionary in helping to fulfill the capacity required for the environmental assessment of the planet. AI technology is faster, cheaper, and operates on a truly global scale. Among its benefits is the analysis of artificial data, an example being the use of underground sensors to monitor the state of forests in real time. Such analysis on a large scale would provide early warning systems on, for example, issues of illegal deforestation and monitoring of air quality. All of this would be reflected in the improvement of public health.

The AI program for the health of the earth was created keeping in mind that the information collected by AI must be open and its access democratic. Accordingly, such a program would put technology in the hands of leading environmentalists, conservation technologists, and organizations who work on protecting the planet.These are the persons and organizations who solve problems related to water, agriculture, climate change, and biodiversity. For example, SilviaTerra is a small company whose mission is to help foresters and smallholders use data to design better forests using remotely sensed imagery, field measurements, and machine learning. Using Microsoft platforms, they have been able to map hundreds of millions of hectares with excellent precision. The result is the first high resolution forest area inventory with specific details of the height and diameter of more than 92 billion trees across the US.Another example is ESRI, a leading international supplier of geographic location information 52

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system software with years of experience in building environmental monitoring solutions, whose objective is collecting, visualizing, and managing information on Earth systems to provide to researchers and organizations.

To the previous challenges is added the construction of a supercomputer, whose design and operation is extremely complex. To be developed in the required terms it must be accompanied by learning and experience of all partners and allies in the fight against climate change. The goal is to create a tool that contributes to the advancement of climate change objectives at a global level. For this reason, Microsoft is committed to storing the world’s largest environmental data sets in the cloud, at the disposal of the environmental scientific community, serving the planet by aggregating environmental data and modeling future and probable scenarios.

Finally, Dr. Galviz points out, environmental education is essential for the modification of harmful behaviors toward the environment from human beings. With this in mind, Microsoft has created technologies for education through which citizens have joined efforts and created the project “Mi tier Rita” (My Little land), aimed at three- to five-year-old children from a preschool in Bogotá. In the midst of the pandemic, they are using a virtual reality approach. With the help of one of Microsoft’s most powerful tools, children are taught the care of nature and the protection of Colombian ecosystems through Minecraft.Through virtual games—gamification—foundations are strengthened to build a sustainable world based on diversification and protection of resources, thus generating awareness about the importance of ecosystems for human development.

Conclusions 1.

Development requires two key elements: 1) international cooperation between governments with inclusive actions that integrate the society at large with private sector organizations to collaborate on solutions, data, and technology on climate change, and 2) countries must think of more sustainable forms of production and extraction through innovation strategies that protect ecosystem services.

2.

Current conditions around the world show that environmental change has accelerated, yet decision makers and scientists do not have at all real time data. This is not to say that the current research carried out by institutions and organizations isn’t both valuable and significant, but the evaluation of the health of the planet must become a more sustained and integrated practice that uses information in real time for intelligent decision making.

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Governance and social appropriation Eje temático: País: Ponente

Gobernanza Nepal Dr. Mandira Singh Shrestha, PhD

Perfil: Mandira Singh Shrestha es la coordinadora del programa de la Iniciativa de Servicios Climáticos en ICIMOD. Tiene más de 20 años de experiencia en investigación que cubren amplias áreas de servicios climáticos, reducción del riesgo de desastres inducidos por el agua y gestión de recursos hídricos. Dirige los programas de reducción del riesgo de inundaciones transfronterizas, promueve el diálogo y fortalece la capacidad hidrometeorológica en la región. Sus intereses de investigación se centran en el pronóstico y el monitoreo de inundaciones transfronterizas, la aplicación de productos basados en satélites y la participación del usuario final para reducir los riesgos de inundaciones. Su investigación actual se centra en la localización de servicios climáticos para la agricultura y el turismo. Ha coordinado el desarrollo de un sistema de información de inundaciones regional basado en la web en la región del Himalaya, donde los países comparten datos e información en tiempo real para la reducción del riesgo de inundaciones, fortaleciendo así la cooperación regional. La Dra. Shrestha tiene un Doctorado en Ingeniería de la Universidad de Kyoto, Japón y una Maestría en Ingeniería Civil de la Universidad de Washington, Seattle, Estados Unidos.

Reduce risks and increase resilience through Climate Services for disaster risk reduction in the Hindu Kush Himalaya region Dr. Shrestha works for the International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), which is a regional intergovernmental knowledge-sharing and learning center serving the eight regional member countries of the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH): Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan, and the global mountain community. To begin her presentation, she points out key aspects of the region: 1) HKH is a very mountainous region which presents multiple risks of environmental origin, including floods, avalanches, landslides, glacial lagoons, and earthquakes, 2) there is a cascade effect between upstream and downstream areas with important linkages, 3) climate change is impacting and strongly affecting the region, 4) connectivity in remote areas located in the high mountains constitutes an immense challenge, and 5) governance in terms of institutions and capacity is limited.

According to an IPCC report (2019), if the Paris Agreement to maintain the global temperature increase at 1.5 °C is satisfactorily fulfilled, glaciers in the HKH region will lose one-third of their mass by the year 2100; but if the current trend is maintained, the projected loss increases to two-thirds.

In terms of disasters, risks in the region are increasing. The IPCC report mentioned above indicates that at least 1 billion people are currently exposed to the occurrence of extreme events of flood and drought. Onethird of these disasters are floods, many of which occur transboundary, implying shared vulnerability across borders. Also important is gender consideration, recognizing that in many respects, disasters have different impacts on women than on men.

There are also a large number of challenges that must be addressed in HKH: 1) increase in the intensity and frequency of flood disasters, par tly attributable to climate change , 2) shor tage of functional high mountain climate monitoring ne54

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tworks, and 3) inadequate sharing of available data and information.

The capacities of climate services vary greatly among countries. Often, many of the services that are in place are not designed to meet the real needs of the users. Real user needs must be actionable and incorporate gender responsiveness.

On the other hand, the following opportunities are identified: 1) strengthening partnerships of science and delivery of products and services, 2) building capacities to learn and develop innovative solutions, 3) promoting the use of applications that allow monitoring, evaluating, and forecasting of high mountain conditions, and 4) standardizing available climate information to facilitate the participation and commitment of all stakeholders.

The concept of Climate Services was established by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and refers to science-based information and forecasts, which empower decision-makers at different levels to anticipate and manage climate-related risks and opportunities related to climate. This includes the entire process of information production, delivery, and use. These services must be analyzed on spatial and temporal scales. In general terms, the type and frequency of a report are a function of the use the information will serve. On a local level, weather forecasts and alerts related to extreme events demand information on a daily or weekly basis, or even in real time. National and regional forecasting is needed on a monthly and seasonal basis. Global forecasting requires reports related to future trends projected from historical records.

Dr. Shrestha then presents a conceptual framework developed by IPCC (2012) to address risk management. The model suggests that disaster risk is a function of three components: 1) vulnerability, 2) exposure, and 3) type of risk. Reducing disaster risk implies working simultaneously on different fronts: knowledge; partnership; science and technology; governance, including gender perspective; ecosystem sustainability; and adequate financing mechanisms.

ICIMOD has identified some of the needs and priorities of Climate Services in the HKH region: 1) strengthening capacities through the implementation of advanced forecasting techniques and tools, 2) institutional strengthening and coordination of actors and actions in the climate information value chain, 3) tailoring and packaging of information according to user needs and benefit to society--for instance, through the implementation of pilot projects that bring meteorological information to farmers, 4) enhancing capacities and raising awareness in terms of communication and dissemination of climate information at all levels and for all types of users and taking into account differentiating factors such as language and culture, among others.

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In line with the prioritized needs, ICIMOD has been working on a flood early warning project through the transmission of meteorological information in real time in Pakistan, Bhutan, Nepal, and Bangladesh—and possibly extending to other countries—to address flood early warning at the regional level. This project has made it possible to generate regional flood forecasts from satellite information and information collected in the field.

Finally, Dr. Shrestha highlights the importance of the policy messages that ICIMOD permanently disseminates as a call-to-action throughout the HKH region: Policy message #1: Institutions and governments in the HKH region urgently need to contribute to the adaptation and standardization of a multi-risk assessment approach.

Policy Message #2: All stakeholders, including governments, individuals, households, and communities urgently need to act to improve resilience.

Policy Message # 3: Countries of the HKH region need to cooperate and communicate extensively and effectively by sharing data, information, and knowledge, and promoting cross-border disaster risk reduction practices.

Conclusions 1.

The HKH region is permanently exposed to multiple types of disaster risk. Strengthening the capacities of the climate services in various aspects, including institutional and technological, will increase the resilience of the region and motivate the participation of stakeholders.

1.

Identification of the well-differentiated climate information needs of the different countries of the region enhances the response capacity of national climate services and facilitates regional coordination. This is particularly important in cross-border areas, where risks outweigh political, cultural, social, and geographic differences, and become an integrating element.

Thematic axis: Governance Country: Colombia Speaker: Ms. Carolina Jarro, MSc Profile: Ms. Carolina Jarro is a professional in the field of biology with studies in nature and conservation management and is a specialist in environmental law from the Universidad el Rosario; he also has a Master’s degree in Nature Conservation and Management. He has more than 20 years of experience in the environmental sector in public and private entities. Currently she works as deputy director of Management and Management of Protected Areas in National Natural Parks of Colombia, an entity in which she has also been coordinator of the Planning and Management Group. He has held leadership and management positions in the Capital District in entities such as the Secretary of the Environment and the Botanical Garden. in Environmental Law, she is currently the Deputy Director of management and management of protected areas of National Natural Parks of Colombia.

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Conservation and governance in High Mountain ecosystems Ms. Jarro begins her presentation with a description of the mission of PNN, which consists of coordinating the National System of Protected Areas (SINAP).Toward this purpose PNN promotes the participation of various actors for the conservation of biological and cultural biodiversity.Within SINAP there are 31 million hectares. Also noted is the impressive observation that Colombia is home to 56,343 species of animals and plants, of which 19,228 are found within PNN. In Colombian high mountain regions, there are 547 protected areas, designated by seven distinct categories of protection. Known collectively as the Natural Reserves of Civil Society (RNSC), this authority manages the largest area of nationally owned land in Colombia. To guarantee the conservation of these areas, the following actions have been carried out

by PNN: 1.

Monitoring of Values and Objects of Conservation (VOC).

2.

Coordination with research institutions and universities, which has facilitated the collection of information for decision-making and management.

3.

Monitoring of water resources, prioritizing 26 research areas, and characterizing the quantity and quality of water.

4.

Ecological restoration through the construction of greenhouses and the propagation of species, which has also strengthened the relationship with the communities.

Las Mesas Locales y Encuentros campesinos (local civic work groups) are forums for dialogue that make it possible to define meeting points among farmers, ranchers, the local population, and local government for the purpose of mutual understanding and resolution of socio-environmental conflicts. The forums have generated sociodemographic characterizations, sustainable projects, and work toward strengthening local capacities for conservation and sustainable development. They have also led to the measurement of indicators associated with the improvement of governance. These measurements demonstrate direct relationships between governance improvement and the reduction of socio-environmental conflicts.

In order to reduce conflicts and tensions, a sense of social, ecological, and economic responsibility has been generated by encouraging stakeholders to view the ecosystem as an ally for local development. This alliance has been realized through practices of conservation, sustainable use, and environmental management. Conserving protected areas through governance systems has allowed stakeholders to appreciate the value of cultural ecosystem services, regulation, supply, and support, all oriented toward local development and comprehensive well-being of the population.

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Finally, Ms. Jarro presents an example of governance in Nevado del Cocuy Park, where progress has been made in characterizing who is present and how they occupy and use the territory for planning. This allows the integration of land governance guidelines.Thanks, international cooperation, technical guidelines have been established and have begun to contribute to public policy. In this way, alternatives and solutions have been created for the communities, such as: the creation of fruit and vegetable gardens, eco-efficient stoves, silvopastoral areas, forage banks, participatory ecological restoration, and village meetings. All of these have contributed to the ongoing search for solutions to socio-environmental conflicts in this area.

Since 2007 PNN, with the support of the Corporaciones Autónomas Regionales (regional environmental authorities) and local authorities, has signed 1,145 agreements for the protection of high mountain ecosystems, which translates into improved governance and protection for these areas.

Conclusions 1.

Governance, as an exercise in coordination of community and institutional participation, allows the generation of comprehensive strategies that respond to the demands of conservation and protection by linking the communities through sustainable practices that guarantee the improvement in quality of life and the conservation of ecosystems.

2.

Each community’s detailed understanding of the dynamics of its own territory contributes to the generation of further knowledge, which contributes to ecosystem protection through a mutual learning exchange among different actors.

3.

RNSC has become, in effect, a conservation strategy that promotes the development of communities and the protection of the ecosystem through the execution of sustainable use activities such as ecotourism, environmental education, and organic production. This demonstrates the capacity of organization to defend the territory of the citizens and communities.

Thematic axis: Governance Country: Colombia Speaker: Mr. Jorge Luis Ceballos, MSc Profile: Mr. Jorge Luís Ceballos is a geographer engineer and Magister in Geography.

For more than 15 years he has led the study of glaciers in Colombia for the Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies (IDEAM). He is also the Colombian representative to the UNEP Ice & Snow group and a Colombian Correspondent to the World Glacier Monitoring Service (WGMS). His research focuses on the analysis of glacial evolution in Colombia at two glaciers, one located at the snow-covered Santa Isabel volcano, the other at Sierra Nevada de Güicán o Cocuy. Since 2017, concerned with guaranteeing the transfer of interest and involvement to the coming generation and broadening geographical coverage of monitoring through local appropriation of knowledge, Ceballos has promoted the coordination of different actors influential in work on glaciers in Colombia in what he calls glacier governance.

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Participatory glaciology: a new approach to glacier monitoring and adaptation to climate change Professor Ceballos begins by explaining that Colombia has 36 km2 of glaciers which represent cultural, identity, and landscape values for the Colombian people. If current trends continue, these small glacier masses could become extinct during this century. The glacier at highest risk is located on the snow-covered Santa Isabel volcano. Located in Parque Nacional Natural Los Nevados, and studied since 2006, this glacier shows accelerated melting and is at risk of disappearing in less than a decade. It is also evident that social appropriation as a complement to scientific study has not developed to the level that its critical state demands. It is therefore essential to develop strategies that involve the society in the monitoring of glaciers.

To bring communities into greater contact with and understanding of glaciology, a project was initiated by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and Conservation International (CI), which in addition providing new instruments and scientific study techniques to glaciology teams from the Andean countries, brought representatives of the indigenous peoples of Ecuador, Bolivia, and Colombia into contact with glaciologist researchers of the region. The result has been a greater understanding of the social implications of glacier changes and a recognition of the importance and participation of local actors.

Mr. Ceballos highlights the importance of involving the new generations in the production of knowledge of the Colombian high mountains so that coverage of glacier monitoring can be expanded and at the same time, sensitivity can be guaranteed at this critical moment for Colombian glaciers—whose existence could come to a close in the coming decades.

Toward this end Ceballos has designed—and promoted implementation of—various participatory actions that involve different actors present in the high mountain areas of Colombia, as follows:

1.

Formation of local glacier monitoring groups involving different local actors.

2.

Monthly monitoring meetings where youth and other interested actors are invited to exchange knowledge starting with basic glaciology techniques.

3.

Reconstruction of the history of the Colombian glaciers by the compilation and systematization of evidence provided by Colombian society, including photos, testimonies, artworks, and oral accounts, among others.

4.

Communication of progress and results using the media and social networks.

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Work carried out with the support of multiple actors at the local, regional, and national levels has permitted, to date, advance in the consolidation of participatory glaciology initiatives, such as: 1.

Engagement of young students of the Arhuaco indigenous people who collect precipitation measurements in their territory, Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.

2.

Ascent days with campesinos (local residents) and communities of the U’wa indigenous people from the Sierra Nevada del Cocuy o Güicán to give them basic technical training on glacier monitoring from glaciologists and for them to share their experiences and visions of the glacier.

3.

Training of mountain guides in basic knowledge of glaciology 4.

Implementation of a glacier mass balance carried out by direct method by a group of non-glaciologists made up of young people led by a woman of only 22 years of age.

Ceballos explains how, through these participatory initiatives, young people come to recognize monitoring as a means of adapting to climate change. They learn to accept that natural changes are inevitable and begin to develop an interest in participating and proposing actions. This practice, which recognizes and actively involves the various actors present in the territory, has been called glacier governance, since it effects social appropriation of knowledge through the use of field techniques.

Glacier governance is expected to have a positive impact in the coming years in the care of a common resource: Colombia’s six small glaciers.

Conclusions 1.

Glacier Governance is a term coined to define the participation of local communities in the appropriation of technical and sociocultural knowledge, with the purpose of understanding climate change and seeking responses for adaptation.

2.

Participatory monitoring aims to include society in issues related to climate change in high mountain regions, especially young people and local communities, through social appropriation of knowledge, understanding of glaciers in a systemic context, and appraising these ecosystems from different cultural viewpoints.

3.

Glacier governance initiatives currently being implemented have highlighted the capacities and interest of local communities in reconstructing and bringing to light the history of Colombian glaciers. They have sensitized society in general regarding the existence of this history and its impending disappearance. This being the case, government institutions, and society as well, should look to promote processes that facilitate the replication of this kind of exercise in various mountain ecosystems.

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Thematic axis: Governance Country: Ecuador Speaker: Manuel Peralvo, MSc Profile: Manuel Peralvo is a geographer specializing in the study of socio-environmental systems, environmental modeling to support decision-making, and the articulation of sustainable management tools for the territory in environmental governance processes at multiple scales. He has 20 years of experience working in the Andean region on research initiatives and the implementation of sustainable land management actions. He currently serves as Coordinator of the Sustainable Livelihoods and Landscapes Area in CONDESAN and coordinates the research component of the Andean Forests Program, a regional initiative of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

Governance for the sustainable management of Andean landscapes M. Peralvo begins his presentation by recalling that Andean landscapes are hotspots at a global level due to their rich biodiversity and culture.

They provide ecosystem services for rural and urban populations of the region and, as ecosystems, are vulnerable to global environmental change. Throughout their histories, the various Andean regions have had distinct occupation trajectories. Their societies have developed their own adaptation strategies for life in the mountains, and at the same time, their landscapes present great sustainability challenges, given the complexity of their gradients and varied ecosystems. The Andean regions face a variety of pressures: climate change, mining, tourism, transformations in land use, increased industrial activity in areas such as Peru and Colombia, and persistent patterns of poverty that prevent the productive development of these regions, among others.

According to Peralvo, one of the important responses to the challenges in the region has been the work of governance systems, which he considers key in decision-making and in the definition of access to, and use of natural resources.This is particularly true in mountain landscapes, where sustainable management strategies are applicable at the landscape scale because such an environment permits approaches from many perspectives: ecological, land tenure and occupation patterns, dynamics of change of land cover and land use, governance and institutional arrangements, and knowledge management.

Governance systems structure the relations among actors and allow us to understand how the inhabitants make decisions about land use and resources. From a broader perspective, environmental governance is understood to be the combination of rules, mechanisms, and interaction processes that lead to decisions on access to, and use of resources made by both public and private actors within communities. These systems are important because they offer a vision of the territory from the viewpoint of each actor and provide democratic forums for debate and consensus building toward achieving the goals and objectives of territorial or landscape management. Another important dimension of governance is the incorporation of power relationships among actors to mobilize and streamline the territorial agenda and processes. This coordination can occur because the various actors are able to bring 61

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a convergence of knowledge, authority, and other means to exercise power and make decisions.

In the northwestern Andes of Ecuador there is an association of local governments that work together to implement sustainability objectives in territorial management. These localities are part of a zone which is at the interface between two biodiversity hotspots, and which currently faces two of the challenges mentioned earlier: active deforestation processes and mining concessions. This association permits us a quick glimpse at the broad relationships playing out among actors who pursue different management and land use objectives. In this area, different forms of land management converge: municipal protected areas, private reserves, connectivity corridors, and portions of the national system of protected areas—all of which contribute to making the institutional landscape extraordinarily diverse. The work carried out by this association of 6 Parroquias (the smallest administrative unit in the country), formed in order to jointly pursue objectives in the sustainable management of the territory, endeavors to be the link between actors operating from a vision wide enough to include, as necessary, the municipality of Quito, the competent entities of the territory, and central government agencies.The goal is to coordinate local needs with the agendas of the actors operating at different scales in order to strengthen the links between objectives and agendas.

When we view governance systems from the operational level, we see that they have promoted the implementation of Sustainable Land Management (SLM) practices by means of farm planning that includes: improved rotations, water management, conservation and restoration, regularization of land tenure, and strengthening of local capacities. Governance systems have also advanced the systematization and communication of SLM practices, the knowledge of the role of forests in climate and water regulation, and in general, all existing experiences of sustainable production.

According to Peralvo, governance—in the case of restoration processes—presents some large-scale challenges that must be taken into account: 1.

Political cycles are not necessarily in phase with planning horizons and timelines for restoration in a manner that permits local processes to achieve a successful outcome.

2.

National goals need to be adjusted to coordinate with local needs.

3.

Current governance processes may lack articulation with previous local activities and experiences.

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Conclusions 1.

The future work agenda for governance and SLM in mountain landscapes must rethink scale-related issues in order to establish priorities and use them to create plans, understanding that they cannot be managed individually, must be adjusted to a midpoint, and that for these reasons a landscape-focused approach can be useful.

2.

The strengthening of human capital is essential in the planning, implementation, and monitoring processes of sustainable landscape management. Such strengthening fosters these processes and guarantees both full participation and effective access to the benefits derived from management.

3.

Long-term monitoring of the social and environmental impacts of SLM and coordination at all levels are among the essential challenges that governance systems hope to address.

Multilevel and multi-actor governance for the sustainable management of the territory, a view from high mountain communities Introduction G. Lasso begins the panel by reflecting on the need to strengthen socially-based processes in order to meet the current complex challenges of the mountain and its sustainability. She stresses that it is necessary to actively involve social actors, because they are the key to conservation, adaptation, and sustainable management strategies in mountain territories. She adds that for the purposes of this high-mountain summit, such an emphasis is particularly important because the event is focused on sharing the experiences of mountain communities in order to identify challenges and learn how to face them, and on stressing the importance of strong social organizations and the involvement of local actors in their management—including the execution and monitoring of organizational processes.

G. Lasso asks all panelists to express their opinions as to the role social organizations play in the construction of resilient and sustainable territories within the framework of alternative eco-social development models.

G. Collaguazo, resident of the Yunguilla Community, explains that historically his community derived its livelihood from the forests, using them for charcoal and wood, but in the process, they were destroying their own forests. Now there are 50 families, about 200 inhabitants, in Yunguila. In 1995, while they were still wood cutters, they began an agroforestry project, which involved viewing the functionality of the forests from another perspective. From this beginning, the social-organizational process 63

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began, involving young people in tourism and ecotourism projects, and little by little the whole community became involved. He explains that the starting point for any process is organization, and that participation at the beginning is difficult; but, he adds, during the trajectory of the work, and as the results come true, the community works together, and this consolidates the community’s work processes. Following consolidation, a process of strengthening and empowerment emerges to guarantee the sustainability of the processes in which the community is involved. In this way, new projects are generated and support is obtained for their execution. The organization must also mature, he says, taking into account generational change in order to guarantee sustainability and resilience.

M. Mamane, states that in her experience as facilitator between high Andean communities and institutions in climate change adaptation and mitigation activities, she has found that an effective organization is the foundation for the achievement of community goals and objectives. She continues, that in each organization there are roles and functions that allow it to achieve proposed goals. She adds that generational change is also very important: for example, in the high Andean communities, children are involved in community activities by giving them simple roles to train them as future community leaders. In the same spirit, man is understood as part of nature, of the Pachamama, which plays a very important role within the organization; and in each community offers are made to the Apus, the deities of the Andes, protectors of the mountains.

M. Lemus, co-founder of the Fundación Defensa y Salvación del Humedal Lago de Tota in Colombia, explains that Lake Tota is the largest lake in Colombia. She goes on to say that there have been always different external actors, governmental or other, who worked in favor of the basin but who at the same time, had their own particular interests in water.

She stresses, therefore, that processes are usually not successful when the community is not involved. On the other hand, the last few years have seen the promotion of development processes through socially-based organizations, including farmers and other economic interests around Lake Tota, and this has been a useful strategy for achieving participation and gaining influence on the issues of the territories. She concludes by saying that social organization has been an important mechanism, because it has allowed communities to actively participate in the growing awareness of what is happening in ecosystems. In her particular case, associations and other community organizations have made it possible to see the problems of the territory she defends.

G. Lasso then asks all panelists to share their points of view regarding the following questions: 1.

What do they understand by integral participation in the design, implementation, and monitoring of projects and programs as a mechanism for the sustainability of these processes?

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2.

What key elements would allow us to say there exists fully comprehensive participation in programs and projects?

G. Collaguazo believes that participation is the key to community management processes. Programs and projects end, but the processes do not; they are continuous and so must be participation. Participation should not only be adjusted to the project timelines but should be permanent, and during planning processes it is essential that there be comprehensive participation. Participation allows learning, and one way of learning is by doing: thus, knowledge is obtained. The community must be informed at all times to become aware of its role in programs and projects so that it can assume responsibilities and accept challenges.

M. Mamane states that in her opinion, initially there must be communication with all stakeholders; clear, transparent information has to be handled in simple terms for all. She adds that the “why” of projects must be clear, as also the “what” and “for whom.” Then all actors must be invited to participate in the process, from the conception of the idea of the project to its culmination. In Amazon Conservation, the community’s own needs are taken into account from the beginning. Many times, a project idea does not work, but it is from there, from the community members themselves, that new project ideas can be developed. For this reason, it is important that the institutional sector support ideas that are generated in sustainable participatory processes.This is achieved by reinforcing community capacities: recognizing that the people of the community are wise, and given adequate tools, can work well. She states that this is true even in city environments, where management tasks are required, but adds that here it becomes important to strengthen language skills and document management.

M. Lemus states that there must be commitment and will from all actors.

In Colombia, particularly in Aquitania, when projects are formulated, the community often expects outside entities to give them things. This attitude damages the necessary processes, as well as the work itself. On the other hand, she says, there are many leaders who are committed to their territories without expecting anything in return, and after completing a project, they keep working to give continuity to the processes.To ensure success, prior to the start of a project all involved parties must be committed, particularly those within the communities, because they are the ones who must work and fight for their territory. In this way the processes become sustainable. Moreover, processes become comprehensive when the knowledge of the community is taken into account and its consent is sought and received. Otherwise, she sums up, the community will feel excluded.

G. Lasso poses a third question to all panelists.

What elements have fostered success and sustainability in your local experiences?

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MEMORIES OF THE FIRST WORLD VIRTUAL SUMMIT OF HIGH MOUNTAINS IN COLOMBIA: Monitoring systems for forests, páramos and glaciers

G. Collaguazo answers that the dependence of the community on cooperative aid from others should be avoided; he also recommends empowering the community to make it responsible for the continuity of the process. This is one of the lessons learned from project implementation.

Strategic alliances with different sectors—public, private, and academic—are important, and it is necessary to have many such possibilities, and at the same time, to strengthen the community organization itself.

He goes on to say that planning must be understood as a continuous process, and not considered as a project that has an end. A solid and effective leadership base is directly related to the generational transfer of leadership, establishing as well, collective leadership, and seeking out productive alternatives. He adds that participation and accountability must be implemented within the community and points out that a lack of knowledge in the management of resources sometimes leads to disappointment, and eventually, to the disintegration of organizations. He concludes by saying that all of the above factors represent a challenge for the community, but adds that if they are all carefully considered and taken into account, resilient communities can be generated and their quality of life and the territory itself can be improved.

M. Mamane says that of the lessons learned from experiences, particularly about conservation of territories, transparent and simple communication is what she considers fundamental. The entire community’s understanding of the projects at hand must be ensured, and toward this end, different strategies must be generated. She gives the example of activities with puppets and stories for children, emphasizing that information must be conveyed to them on their own terms. In the case she is recalling, this allowed the creation of a regional conservation area with consensus between the two communities and the government. In consequence, the region gained considerable economic value in that it now provides electricity to more than one million families in Peru and provides water to more than 50% of the population of Cuzco. She concludes by saying that participation of women and the recognition of their role in these communities, along with the cooperation of all persons, are key elements: “unity is strength.” She points out that the community should be taught to fish, because simply giving them fish is not sustainable.

M. Lemus states that the creation of social organizations dedicated to productive activities and protecting the environment has made it possible for communities to work toward recognizing the value of the territory they inhabit and of the community itself. It has made apparent the privileges, values, and problems associated with the paramo ecosystem and the importance of protecting it. Likewise, this promotes spaces for discussion and debate between the community and external actors, where an empowered community participates, gives its opinion, and decides what rightly belongs to it. She adds that working with the younger generation, including children, must be promoted and that environmental education is an instrument for this. She explains that it is also important 66

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to encourage the return of young professionals to their territory so they can contribute with new ideas and knowledge. She also remarks on the importance of the recognition of women and their role in agricultural work. She ends by saying that it is important to make the needs of the territories visible to government entities and to awaken in young people an interest in developing special expertise in rural issues and promoting the defense of their territory.

Conclusions 1.

To carry out truly participatory processes, the following factors must be considered: a) local knowledge, b) culture as an element of identity and cohesion, c) participatory planning tied to local needs, d) local productive alternatives that allow communities to break free from dependence on nature or cooperating entities, e) capacity building as an element of sustainability, f) gender responsibility, and g) transparent communication adjusted to the local culture, among others.

2.

Along the same lines, the need for coordinated work among key actors and the incorporation of the entire community in local organizations is highlighted, taking into account the generational change to facilitate sustainable processes over time.

3.

The goals and objectives of a community are more easily achieved when they are supported by strengthened organizational processes, which in turn can directly affect the success or failure of the programs or projects that are implemented in the territory.

High-level segment Thematic Axis: Biodiversity Countries: Colombia, Costa Rica, Perú Moderator: Dr. Fabio Arjona Profile: Dr. Fabio Arjona is a marine biologist and ecologist. He serves as Executive Director at Conservation International, where he addresses programs on water and cities, the Amazon, marine ecosystems, conservation for development, and climate change. He has worked on strengthening the empowerment of communities and on sustainable production schemes as adaptation actions to address climate change.

Panelist 1: Dr. Carlos Eduardo Correa Escaf, MSc Profile: Dr. Carlos Correa is a business administrator with experience in social and territorial development, urban planning, city transformation, and modern public management. He worked as an advisor and speaker on sustainable cities and territories at IDB, UN Habitat, and CAF. He was Vice Minister of Water and Basic Sanitation, and High Presidential Counselor for the Regions. He also was a teacher at several universities in Colombia. Carlos Correa is a benchmark in sustainability issues. As Mayor of Monteria, he positioned the capital as a sustainable city and under that vision he returned the Sinú River to the city, making it the axis of social, cultural and economic development. He also carried out several solar energy projects in the city and other actions aimed at a culture of sustainability. Currently he is Minister of the Environment and Sustainable Development of Colombia.

Panelist 2: Dr. Franklin Paniagua Alfaro, MSc Profile: Dr. Franklin Paniagua Alfaro is a lawyer with a Master's Degree in Latin American Studies and is a PhD candidate in Interdisciplinary Ecology. He has more than 20 years of experience in environmental law, specializing in negotiation, facilitation, and mediation of conflicts of public interest. He has been trained in negotiation and mediation of the Supreme Court of Justice in Costa Rica, being part of the first

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at several universities in Colombia. Carlos Correa is a benchmark in sustainability issues. As Mayor of Monteria, he positioned the capital as a sustainable city and under that vision heMEMORIES returned the the city, making SUMMIT it the axis of HIGH social,MOUNTAINS cultural OFSinú THERiver FIRSTto WORLD VIRTUAL OF IN COLOMBIA: and economicMonitoring development.

He also severaland solar energy projects in the systems for carried forests, out páramos glaciers city and other actions aimed at a culture of sustainability. Currently he is Minister of the Environment and Sustainable Development of Colombia.

Panelist 2: Dr. Franklin Paniagua Alfaro, MSc Profile: Dr. Franklin Paniagua Alfaro is a lawyer with a Master's Degree in Latin American Studies and is a PhD candidate in Interdisciplinary Ecology. He has more than 20 years of experience in environmental law, specializing in negotiation, facilitation, and mediation of conflicts of public interest. He has been trained in negotiation and mediation of the Supreme Court of Justice in Costa Rica, being part of the first generation of certified mediators in the country. He has worked as a facilitator in Latin America for courses on public interest disputes and negotiation-based professional training programs. He is the author of publications on citizen participation, social dialogue, negotiation, environmental policy, public conflicts, among others.

He is currently Vice Minister of Environment of Costa Rica.

Panelist 3: Ms. María del Pilar Lemus Profile: Dr. Gabriel Quijandría is a sociologist with a Master's degree in Natural Resource Management. He was Co-president of the Green Climate Fund, Representative in Peru of The Nature Conservancy, Head of the Technical Department of PROFONANPE, and twice,Vice Minister of Strategic Development of Natural Resources of the Environmental Ministry (MINAM). He is a well-known expert on environmental issues, natural resource management, environmental policy, and management issues, financing of sustainable development, biodiversity conservation, and climate change. He has taken studies oriented to policy making, training, and teaching activities. He is the current Minister of the Environment of Peru.

The role of the environment ministries in the framework of a global alliance for the protection of paramos

Introduction F. Arjona, Executive Director of Conservation International Colombia, opens the space by pointing out that the countries invited to this panel have something in common: the high-mountain ecosystems and the paramos of Costa Rica, Colombia, and Peru, which also share the common characteristics of the tropical Andes. He stresses the importance of mentioning that high mountain and coastal ecosystems are most vulnerable to climate change and that a large part of the action taken in these countries should be oriented towards the implementation of mitigation actions specifically related to international cooperation.

F. Arjona reminds us that a few weeks ago in the United Nations, President Duque called for a global alliance for the high mountains and the paramos. Arjona asks, “How does the Colombian Minister of the Environment and Sustainable Development view the actions of the different multilateral and bilateral cooperation agencies and other global organizations with respect to supporting such actions in the high mountains?”

C. Correa, Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development of Colombia, explains that the Administration has the objective of positioning Colombia as a reference for environmental development and that for this reason, actions that contribute to the protection of the environment have been promoted. In the United Nations, he says, Colombia made an international call for a global alliance to protect the paramos in order to promote actions for the conservation and use of renewable natural resources through the development of low-impact activities in these areas. He adds that this strategy seeks to establish a financial mechanism with resources from the private and public sectors and 68

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non-reimbursable concessional resources from regional governments, multilateral banks, and through multilateral agreements. The alliance is expected to be launched at the next Biological Biodiversity Convention to be held in May 2021 in Cali. It is also expected that all Colombian paramos will have financial resources before the end of this governmental administration in 2022.

C. Correa adds that these types of strategies are important because in the specific case of Colombia, which has 52% of the paramos in the world, this ecosystem is a natural source of pure water for millions of communities. On another note, he stresses that Colombia’s Biodiversity is extraordinary, given that more than 5,400 species of plants have been identified, of which 1,200 are endemic and 200 are in some type of danger. With regard to fauna, it is found that 50% of Colombia’s 380 amphibians, 50% of birds, and 20% of mammals are found in the paramo.

Some approaches have been made to the government of Colombia by prospective donors, who have expressed interest in being part of this alliance, including: Colombian National Fund for the Environment, The European Union,The United Nations Development Program, Conservation International, and USAID Colombia, among others.

Finally, C. Correa explains that in the formulation of this type of initiative, the government has realized the importance of the social value of the communities that inhabit these ecosystems. In addition, he says, the alliance’s challenge is to involve not only countries that have paramos, but also other countries in efforts toward the conservation and protection of the paramos.

F. Arjona asks, “In terms of the pandemic that is currently shaking the world, how could high mountain ecosystems become a green recovery alternative?”

F. Paniagua, Vice Minister of the Environment of Costa Rica, states that the high mountains in Costa Rica are unique in being the last remnants of the paramos of the north and represent an important place in the worldview of indigenous communities. He points particularly to the Bribri, one of the largest indigenous populations in Costa Rica. He mentions, too, Chirripó Natural Park, also located in the paramo, and one of the most emblematic locations in the country, due to its abundant biodiversity and important ecosystem services. The role of these areas with a view to economic recovery is diverse. First, as is well known in all countries privileged to have paramos, they are natural sponges, and water supply is an overriding concern for economic recovery. Second, he points to tourist activity: Costa Rica is recognized for the development of ecotourism, which represents important economic income, both at the national level, and more particularly, for the communities of these areas.The high mountains incorporate sites of a very specific and unique biodiversity and paramos are the site of greatest endemism, where these 69

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unique resources are conserved. In this sense, they are a repository of biodiversity with the natural capital to face climate change due to the effects of global warming, which includes an ascending altitude movement of species, turning paramo and cloud forest areas into a receiving space for natural environmental refugees. According to research on the identification of species of fauna and flora, an optimistic outlook predicts a process of normalization of temperatures before conservation target values are lost. Finally, he stresses, in terms of ecosystems and biodiversity, the role of the paramo is fundamental for economic recovery; however, the recovery of the high mountain as provider of ecosystem services for the development of communities is also essential.

F. Arjona asks, given that one of the few actions that can be implemented in the countries of the tropical Andes and other countries with high mountain ecosystems is to increase the resilience of these ecosystems in order to reduce the effects of the climate variability ”How do you view the participation of the communities that inhabit this high mountain in sustainable development?”

G. Quijandría, Minister of the Environment of Peru, begins by saying that today, when we are celebrating the high mountains, it is necessary to highlight the global importance of these ecosystems that have a fundamental role for vital ecosystem services of human subsistence such as climate regulation and water cycle regulation. He adds that in the case of Latin America, the high mountain is the backbone of the territory because it determines the difference between what happens as one moves, respectively, toward the Pacific and Atlantic sides of these countries.

In this connection, he points out that in Peru there is greater influence from the Amazon basin, while in Colombia, greater influence comes from the Orinoco basin.

He explains that in Peru there are marked differences between paramo, mountains, and arid zones—which is called the triple border—starting in Cajamarca and passing through Bolivia and Chile to Argentina.The paramos are an ecosystem typical of areas such as Costa Rica and Central America. It extends the length of the Cordillera Real Oriental (Eastern Range) from southern Venezuela through Colombia and into Ecuador. In Peru it occupies 40% of the national territory and is inhabited by around a third of Peru’s population. These ecosystems are strategic because in addition to providing ecosystem services to those who live near or within them, they provide water for cities that are located in the desert coastal area such as the cities of Piura, Lambayeque, and Trujillo, which receive water from these “natural sponges,” the paramos.

Currently in Peru the paramo areas are in a relatively good state of conservation, since they are areas in which, unlike in Colombia and Ecuador, not much population is concentrated, and therefore there is relatively less human intervention. However, they are not exempt from 70

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the risk of climate change. There are changing dynamics and processes that occur in these ecosystems and anthropic activities, such as mining, which is currently becoming prominent. An example of this is the city of Huancabamba which borders Ecuador, a paramo area which according to studies, has potential for the extraction of copper.While little there is currently little extraction in process, in the future mining could become a large-scale activity. This is a potential point of discussion for the stakeholders of Peruvian society, in order to define and generate actions that do not affect the sustainability of the paramos. On the other hand, the transformation of the paramos by livestock activities is identified as a negative effect on the ecological dynamics of the area. Another stressor in the wetlands in this area is the excessive and uncontrolled extraction of goods such as peat used as a substrate for orchids, an important issue for Peru. All of these concerns create an urgency for regulation to close the gaps regarding actions that can weaken these ecosystems of coastal, Andean, and Amazonian wetlands.

Closing F. Arjona complements the remarks of the panelists in the following terms: International cooperation for the protection of high mountain ecosystems and paramos, which are highly vulnerable to climate change, is very important. For this reason, countries that have paramos must be supported in improving their intervention capacity, thereby increasing the resilience of these ecosystems. This stands as a proposal for adaptation in the high mountains, and in connection to this, it is necessary to empower communities and support the establishment of adaptive systems for climate change, recognizing the importance of these ecosystems as providing ecosystem services in many of our countries.Taking Bogotá, Colombia as an example, he points out that its successful competitive standing relies largely upon water provided by the paramos and high mountains, without which the city could not thrive. Adequate protection of these high mountain ecosystems should include novel schemes, such as the development of methodologies for the measurement of carbon in paramo peat soils in high mountains. There is no doubt that these peat soils could become carbon sinks, once included in reduction and mitigation schemes in the framework of fair global carbon trade. This, accordingly, is a direct allusion to green recovery: the recognition that carbon storage, along with other environmental considerations such as water provision, reduction of the vulnerability to disasters, the landscape, etc., is a potential generator of proactive intervention in high mountain ecosystems; and therefore, these considerations form an important aspect of the required green recovery in all of our countries.

Conclusions 1.

The protection of high mountain ecosystems is vital for the sustainability of the countries, because biodiversity provides services for the development of anthropic activities. This implies challenges in planning and management, and therefore, it is neces71

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sary to generate joint strategies among the stakeholders to allow comprehensive management of the territories.

2.

Economy and protection of natural resources do not have to be considered as incompatible, since the development of communities depends on the protection and conservation of natural resources. For this reason, the importance of sustainable use of these resources is recognized by many different countries. The clearest example of this recognition is the performance of low-impact activities such as ecotourism which is based on environmental education and appreciation of fauna and flora in these ecosystems. These practices, in addition to bringing economic benefits to the communities, promote processes of territorial appropriation which in the end are translated into conservation of natural, social, and cultural systems.

3.

International cooperation is undoubtedly a strategic ally for nations in this hour of emphasis upon conserving and protecting territories, because forces outside of each individual nation have technical and financial resources that favor management of and research in decision-making related to its ecosystems.

Thematic axis: Countries: Moderator:

Governance-Climate Change Colombia, European Union, Switzerland, France Dr. Carlos Correa Escaf, MSc

Profile: Dr. Carlos Correa is a business administrator with experience in social and territorial development, urban planning, city transformation, and modern public management. He worked as an advisor and speaker on sustainable cities and territories at IDB, UN Habitat, and CAF. He was Vice Minister of Water and Basic Sanitation, and High Presidential Counselor for the Regions. He also was a teacher at several universities in Colombia. Carlos Correa is a benchmark in sustainability issues. As Mayor of Monteria, he positioned the capital as a sustainable city and under that vision he returned the Sinú River to the city, making it the axis of social, cultural and economic development. He also carried out several solar energy projects in the city and other actions aimed at a culture of sustainability. Currently he is Minister of the Environment and Sustainable Development of Colombia.

Panelist 1: Dr. Patricia Llombart, MSc Profile: Dr. Carlos Correa is a business administrator with experience in social and territorial development, urban planning, city transformation, and modern public management. He worked as an advisor and speaker on sustainable cities and territories at IDB, UN Habitat, and CAF. He was Vice Minister of Water and Basic Sanitation, and High Presidential Counselor for the Regions. He also was a teacher at several universities in Colombia. Carlos Correa is a benchmark in sustainability issues. As Mayor of Monteria, he positioned the capital as a sustainable city and under that vision he returned the Sinú River to the city, making it the axis of social, cultural and economic development. He also carried out several solar energy projects in the city and other actions aimed at a culture of sustainability. Currently he is Minister of the Environment and Sustainable Development of Colombia.

Panelist 2: Dr. Franklin Paniagua Alfaro, MSc Profile: Dr. Martin Jaggi has master's degrees in geography and economics from the University of Bern (Switzerland). He has worked with various NGOs, UNHCR, and the Swiss Foreign Ministry in Angola and Colombia. He is currently the Director of International Cooperation at the Swiss embassy in Peru, where he works mainly as Head of Cooperation in Global Programs, Water, and Climate Change, as well as Humanitarian Affairs in the Andes..

Panelist 3: Dr. Yannick Glemarec, PhD Profile: Dr.Yannick Glemarec has a PhD from the University of Paris in environment sciences, master's degrees in hydrology and in business administration, and is the author of several publications. He has 30 years of international experience in

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of International Cooperation at the Swiss embassy in Peru, where he works mainly as Head of Cooperation in Global Programs, Water, and Climate Change, as well as Humanitarian Affairs in OF the THE Andes..

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Panelist 3: Dr. Yannick Glemarec, PhD Profile: Dr.Yannick Glemarec has a PhD from the University of Paris in environment sciences, master's degrees in hydrology and in business administration, and is the author of several publications. He has 30 years of international experience in climate change, development, and finance. From 2015 to 2018 he served as Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Executive Director for Policies and Programme at UN Women. Previously, he was the Executive Coordinator of the Office of the United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund and served as Deputy Executive Coordinator of UNDP and Executive Coordinator of the Global Environment Facility for more than ten years. He also worked with UNDP in increasingly senior positions in development and environment programs in Europe and Asia. He is currently the Executive Director of the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

Panelist 4: Dr. Juan Pablo Bonilla, PhD Profile: Dr. Juan Pablo Bonilla is a civil engineer with a master's degree in systems management and engineering and a PhD in environmental and energy management.

He served as chief of staff to the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Executive Vice President. He has worked on environmental sustainability, climate change, and energy. Before joining IDB, he worked as a senior specialist at the World Bank and was a member of the United Nations CDM Executive Board. In Colombia, after being Executive Director of the new Fundesarrollo research center and National Environmental Manager at ANDI, he launched new initiatives such as the National Policy on Climate Change and the National Policy on Biotechnology as the main advisor to the vice president of the country. He served as Vice Minister of the Environment and Acting Minister of the Environment, Housing, and Territorial Development. He is currently Manager of the Climate Change and Sustainable Development Sector of IDB. Panelist 5: Dr. Lawrence J. Sacks, MSc Profile: Dr. Lawrence Sacks has an MS in International Affairs from Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs (New York). He was director of the USAID mission in El Salvador, prior to which he served as Director of the Office of Justice and Citizen Security of USAID/Mexico, where he administered a $125 million program which is part of Plan Mérida, a bilateral security initiative between the United States and Mexico. He has extensive experience as a USAID democracy analyst and officer, specializing in political processes, consensus building, citizen participation, rule of law, and crime prevention, especially in conflict contexts. He is currently Director of USAID Colombia.

Panelist 6: Dr. Fabio Arjona Hincapié Profile: Dr. Fabio Arjona is a marine biologist and ecologist. He is currently the Executive Director of Conservation International Colombia, where he addresses programs related to water and cities, the Amazon, marine ecosystems, conservation for development, and climate change. He has worked on strengthening the empowerment of communities and on sustainable production schemes as adaptation actions in response to climate change.

Role of multilateral banking, international cooperation, and NGOs Introduction C. Correa, Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development of Colombia, opens the panel by stating that in the highest parts of the Andean mountains there exist paramos, complex and varied ecosystems, endemic to the countries of Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. He notes that 52% of paramos are in Colombia. He adds that approximately 11% of the earth’s surface is located in mountain areas that exceed 2,500m in altitude and that these high-altitude landscapes are the birthplace of the world’s principal water resources. He points out that the characteristics of the high mountains invite the creation of scenarios for the establishment of global alliances for their protection and conserva73

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tion, and more specifically, for the purpose of bringing paramos into a harmonious relationship with prevailing socioeconomic dynamics.

Then he asks, what is the role of the international community in the global alliance for the protection of the paramos?

P. Llombart, Ambassador of the European Union to Colombia, states that the current environmental and health crises have called everyone to a deep reflection on the relationship between human beings and nature, social inequalities, and environmental risks inherent in the current model of development. For these reasons, she says, the European Union has founded “The Green Pact,” adopted by the 27 countries and institutions that are part of it. This pact, she explains, consists of a new commission that seeks to direct the growth strategy toward sustainable development and carries forward into the next 30 years with the aim of achieving a carbon neutral economy by 2050. The implied further aim is to achieve conciliation between development and conservation, guaranteeing the generation of jobs, well-being, and the provision of the services that nature provides to societies and countries in general. She adds that the strategies currently being implemented are: 1.

2.

3.

Conversion of 30% of European areas into protected and effectively managed areas.

Recovery of degraded ecosystems.

An agenda that transforms and integrates biodiversity into public and business decision-making.

The EU, as cooperator and ally of everyone who works toward these goals, seeks to guarantee the formulation of multilateral agendas, meetings, and consensus scenarios, where commitment is made and collective responses to common interests and challenges are given. Furthermore, she points out that financing for the protection and conservation of the world’s strategic ecosystems, addressing the loss of biodiversity, and protecting against climate change is a global commitment, and for this reason, the EU has sought to activate financing mechanisms that are more up-to-date, including private investment. It is essential, she continues, that the private sector be part of the transformation and flow towards ecology. She points out that there are two financing schemes: 1.

Leverage of resources with credits.

2.

Financial guarantees through which the European Union can assume the risk of green investments. The objective would be to create conditions under which partner countries can attract necessary private investments.

Finally, she explains that the Platform on Sustainable Finance has made available a forum for the exchange of knowledge that has been developed to respond to the demand of national development banks, private 74

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sector financial institutions, and actors in capital markets. She also mentions the Alpine Convention, which aims to safeguard the most sensitive alpine systems and the social and cultural traditions of the regions.

C. Correa raises a second question: ”What actions do you believe your organization is implementing to complement those of governments for the protection, conservation, and sustainable development of high mountains?

M. Jaggi, Director of Cooperation of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Peru, recalls that Switzerland is a country of high and snow-capped mountains, similar to the paramos of Colombia.

Due to the similarity in landscape between the Andes and Switzerland, the countries have been working toward development, with a focus on poverty reduction, directing action towards the most vulnerable and the protection, conservation, and sustainable development of high mountain ecosystems. He points out that they are currently working on four axes: 1.

Promotion of initiatives that favor sustainable development of high mountain regions to improve the livelihoods of vulnerable communities and strengthen their resilience to climate change and natural disasters.

2.

Building capacity for adaptation to climate change.

3.

Integrated management of water resources, focused on disaster risk reduction in mountainous regions from the global, national, regional, and local levels of action.

4.

Governance through the support of scientific processes, influenced by normative processes: the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the Pacific Alliance, the 2030 Agenda, the National Adaptation Plans to climate change within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), among others.

Additionally, he mentions initiatives in Central Asia and Africa which reveal current advances and demonstrate the importance of working with communities. He indicates that Colombia is working on two such programs: 1.

The Project for the Protection of Andean Forests was designed for the seven countries of the Andes. Particular to Colombia are The Forest Observatory and the Pact for the Forests, both of Antioquia, both facilitated by the Botanical Garden of Medellín and Aburrá Valley authority.

2.

“Mi páramo” (my paramo), a process implemented in 2016 with families from North Santander and located in the Santurbán Páramo. Conservation agreements were generated to work with the local organization, Alianza Bio Cuenca, and some 75

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achievements were made such as the removal of cattle from the forest, reduction of deforestation, strengthening of life skills, and generation of identity for the community and its local enterprises.

He concludes by saying that all of the above has made it possible to conserve 3,800 hectares (about 15 square miles) in conjunction with partners from Germany and the company Bavaria, thus safeguarding livelihoods of the communities, ecosystem services, and the industries of the respective countries, which shows that the role of agencies is the implementation of a community work model that integrates and articulates the different actors of the state, communities, and the private sector.

C. Correa asks:” What do you think the role of the international community is in the construction of financing mechanisms and the protection of high mountain ecosystems?

Y. Glemarec, Executive Director of GCF, reiterates that high mountain ecosystems are being degraded at an accelerating pace, and that GFC is supporting projects that protect the paramos in Guatemala, Nepal and Sri Lanka. He warns that in order to respond to the climate crisis, it is necessary to develop climate resilience in the communities, generate decent living conditions for the inhabitants, and promote initiatives for the protection of paramos ecosystems.

He also states that the COVID-19 pandemic imposed new challenges in the face of climate change and for the economies of the countries, and for this reason, strategies should be sought to implement low-carbon and resilient practices and infrastructures to reduce warming.

He adds that nothing short of a realignment of the global financial system will be necessary to rebuild a better world from COVID-19, and that the international community needs to work together in government boardrooms and local communities to encourage financing and undertake green investment which is climate resilient. He stresses the importance of every financial decision considering the physical transition and legal risk of climate change to accurately assess the risk profiles and return on investment. Through AFIB, developing countries are supported to create a climate of integrity, development strategies, and policies.

Innovation in policies, institutions, business technology, and finance is promoted to reduce costs and to develop new sources of financing for climate action.

C. Correa asks, How are communities integrated in the creation of financing mechanisms for the conservation of these ecosystems?

J. Bonilla, Manager of Climate Change and Sustainable Development 76

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at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), states that the key to sustainability projects lies in integrating the environmental and social dimensions, not only consulting with communities, but also integrating their knowledge for the design of development projects. He adds that with high mountain regions in mind, a pilot was carried out with GEF and Conservation International Colombia in Chingaza with resources from GEF and with combined leveraging from the national government and the Aqueduct of Bogotá.

In this project, they worked hand in hand with the communities, showing the importance of the paramo for daily activities and the benefits that can be derived from the sustainable use of these areas. He also explains that one of the mechanisms that has been discussed is unconditional and conditional transfers for environmental services of ecosystems. Development banks have the challenge of coming up with various tools with which to integrate communities into conservation models. One example might be payments to the community: in short, seeking to generate behavioral changes for the conservation and protection of ecosystems by means of the conception of these projects and new forms of financing.

C. Correa asks, ”What actions are being carried out by your organization to complement actions for the conservation and protection of these ecosystems for sustainable development?”

L. Sacks, USAID-Colombia Director, points out that the paramos are a unique and fundamental ecosystem for the development of Colombia.

They generate the water consumed by 70% of the citizens, protect the population from droughts and floods, capture carbon to mitigate climate change, and provide livelihoods to more than 150,000 farmers and ranchers and indigenous people. He says that by means of laws and the diverse efforts of local authorities, communities and the private sector have adopted sustainable production models demonstrating that the conservation of the paramos is fundamental for the development of the country and the region.

He explains that USAID is working with the national government, communities, and local authorities in the conservation of three paramo complexes located in the central mountain range of the country, in the departments of Tolima, Quindío, Cauca, and Valle del Cauca. These areas supply water to about 3.4 million people, including 15 indigenous communities. He adds that due to the complexity and importance, USAID is committed to the conservation of 3% of the area of these paramos, and is promoting: improved soil management; productive reconversion of livestock activities to reduce the pressure in the paramos through silvopastoral systems; support in new sustainable productive chains such as nature tourism; strengthening of the capacity of communities by providing training in climate change management, restoration, and sustainable 77

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production to more than 500 women; and research to evaluate the potential for mitigating climate change in the conservation and restoration of these paramos and wetlands of the Colombian Andes. Additionally, to attract the private sector, environmental mechanisms of payment for results have been promoted, in which communities receive compensation for adopting sustainable models of land use that reduce social and economic conflicts, in the framework of peacebuilding.

He adds that in 2021 a program will be launched in partnership with Conservation International Colombia, the Ministry of the Environment, IDEAM, and the Drinking Water Regulation Commission (CRA) so that Colombians can contribute to the conservation of the paramos through the consumption of water, an initiative that will help the Government to measure the impact of paramo degradation in terms of carbon emissions and make visible the need of conservation through sustainable low-carbon development, based on resilient ecosystems.

To conclude, C. Correa asks F. Arjona, as Executive Director of Conservation International Colombia, ”What do you think the role of the international community is with regard to financing mechanisms for the protection and conservation of high mountain ecosystems?

F. Arjona agrees that the paramos and coastal areas are the ecosystems most vulnerable to the global effects of climate change and says that it is a global responsibility to look for mitigation and adaptation mechanisms to improve the resilience of ecosystems. He mentions that during the last 10 years actions have been carried out in paramos near Bogotá in cooperation with entities such as the Global Environment Facility (GEF), IDB, and government and non-governmental organizations. These actions have been taken in response to the needs of conservation and protection of paramos, recognizing that as providers of low-cost ecosystem services, the paramos make an important contribution to cost-effective availability of the services they provide.

He reminds us that under the leadership of IDEAM, the first climate change adaptation project was created, which showed lines of research that developed and amplified our knowledge of high mountain ecosystems and strengthened the knowledge of the vulnerability and adaptation capacity of those ecosystems.

He explains that the second GEF project is currently being brought to a close, a project which enabled the collection of information to serve a larger area with a longer list of adaptation actions for communities: protection schemes, generation, and improvement of protected areas.

He states that within the framework of this project Vista Hermosa de Montenquiva Regional Park was declared a protected area, and recently USAID joined in giving its support to a public policy measure that would 78

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define the value of the replacement of water resources in the systems that are supplied by the paramos.

He closes, saying that there is a need of much knowledge. There must be increases in research, the response of communities in terms of sustainable development, production adaptive to the conditions of climate change, and the recognition of local ecosystem services. These actions are giving short-term results that are worth amplifying, which will require multilateral, bilateral, and other cooperative efforts.

Closing C. Correa summarizes the opinions and reflections of the panelists, saying that the information and experiences presented constitute a valuable input for the global alliance for the protection of the paramos, for implementation of protective actions, conservation, and integration of communities, along with strengthening the capacity and empowerment of territories in the management and adaptation to climate change, all of which not only generates well-being for high mountain ecosystems, but also provides means for communities to have more harmonious relationships with the environment.

He adds, with regard to financing mechanisms, that there is a great interest in supporting the alliance for the protection of the paramos; and that likewise, new financing mechanisms involving cooperation with the communities are being sought.

Finally, he announces that the Government of Colombia will allocate $15 million received from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) toward developing a high mountain conservation project in 16 paramos, and further, that it is expected that by the end of the current administration (2022), financing will be achieved for all high mountain systems in Colombia.

Conclusions 1.

Global challenges that arise from the climate crisis force governments to come up with common strategies oriented towards mitigating and adapting to climate change, aiming at the conservation and protection of high mountain ecosystems and the social systems that are generated around them.

2.

In consensus, the panel considers that private investment is essential for conservation of the paramos; therefore, through financing mechanisms and cooperation agencies, they seek to create actions that integrate the visions of the various stakeholders in order to mark out a common destination for the development of these countries.

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3.

Knowledge management is essential to providing solutions to the problems presented by the climate crisis. Following such a strategy, links with local communities can be strengthened and sustainable use practices can be promoted, eliminating the dichotomy between economic development and environmental and social preservation.

Thematic axis: Biodiversity Countries: Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador Moderator: Dr. Nicolás Galarza, MSc Profile: Nicolás Galarza is Internationalist of the Universidad del Rosario and holds a Master's Degree in Urban Planning from NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. He is a researcher in sustainable development and urban growth. In his native Colombia he has served as Director of Urban and Territorial Space of the Ministry of Housing, and is currently the country’s Vice Minister of Environmental Planning of Territory Panelist 1: Dr. Germán Chamorro Profile: Germán Chamorro de la Rosa is a veterinarian with specializations in institutional administration and management and in agricultural and reproductive administration.

He has held senior positions in the Administrative Unit for Territorial Consolidation, the Regional Directorate of Nariño and Putumayo, and the Veterinary Medical College of Nariño. He was also Deputy of the Departmental Assembly of Nariño and Councilor of the Municipality of Pasto. He brought the state's presence to regions it had never before reached and has contributed to the creation and development of community businesses that reach worldwide markets. He is currently the mayor of Pasto.

Panelist 2: Eng. Juan Rubén Blanco Coarite Profile: Rubén Blanco is a civil engineer specializing in the management of software relevant to hydro-sanitation and geographic information systems. He has completed higher education studies in wastewater treatment, evaluation and analysis of water resources in basins and glaciers, and selection of technologies for and design of wastewater treatment plants. He worked as a Logistics Technician at Institute of Hydraulics and Hydrology in Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, Sanitary and Hydraulic Project Engineer at CIVAGRO SRL, and Director of Environmental Management and Control at the Office of the Mayor of El Alto. He was the Director of Works at the Public Water Department of La Paz, and at KONZANI SRL. He has been a professor of civil engineering at several universities.

Currently he is the Director of Water, Sanitation and Water Resources in El Alto, Bolivia.

Panelist 3: Eng. Pedro Palacios Profile: Pedro Palacios is an industrial engineer with experience as a senior executive.

He is a leader of projects in the implementation of strategies and plans for industrial and commercial projects. His work has always been oriented toward achievement of objectives, staff development, teamwork, and social responsibility. In 2017, he founded the Collective for Citizen Integration to carry out support activities for social foundations and priority attention groups. As Mayor of Cuenca, Ecuador he has committed to a 180 degree turn in the public management of the municipality, promising to provide the families of Cuenca with more transparency and efficiency in the processes of works and projects for the progress of the city. .

What is the role of cities in the management of the protection and conservation of high mountains from the viewpoint of biodivercities?

Introduction N. Galarza begins by reflecting that confrontation with the climate crisis has shown that the most valuable heritage of countries is their ecosystems and biodiversity. The treatment, management, and protection of this heritage are work on which concrete actions must be implemented to guarantee the sustainability of these spaces as one of the main tools for adaptation to and mitigation of climate change.

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Biodiversity and ecosystems are fundamental to the well-being of all cities of the Andes region, because globally speaking, there are relatively few cities actually situated in these high mountain ecosystems. For example, in Colombia, according to research carried out by Instituto Alexander von Humboldt (IAvH), in these ecosystems where approximately 15 million inhabitants live, only about 19 cities are located. This makes efficient water resource management a challenge, noting that ecosystems contribute to the reduction of risks due to floods and provide water to communities, thus making them an ally for development. Studies also show that cities located in high mountains are particularly vulnerable to climate change. For this reason, it is essential to strengthen communities in a way that guarantees the protection of high mountain ecosystems, which in turn will improve the economic performance of cities, making them resilient and well-adapted to climate change.

N.Galarza says, “Taking into account the location of Pasto at an altitude of 2,527 m, the development of the city is decidedly marked by the development and management of the High Andean Forest ecosystem, which has undergone interventions of nature that accentuate the presence of risks and other phenomena, such as volcanic threats, mass wasting, and flooding.”

He asks G. Chamorro, ”How are you integrating the concept of Biodivercity into the protection and conservation of high mountain regions?”

G. Chamorro, Mayor of Pasto, says that the city of Pasto has worked from the collective concept of the sustainability approach for development supported by the ecological power of the city. Pasto, he continues, is the great Pan-Amazonian city within the hydrographic areas of the Pacific and the Amazon, is part of the Andean territory, and is rich in diversity and culture. Pasto is the place where the Colombian massif is born and it is recognized as a fluvial star, where the most important rivers of Colombia are born: Caquetá, Cauca, Putumayo, and Apaqui. It has National Natural Parks: Galeras Flora and Fauna Sanctuary, Corota Island, Orito Ingi-Anduve Medicinal Plants Sanctuary, Ovejas Tauso Regional Natural Park, and Laguna de la Cocha RAMSAR site. It also has a local system of protected areas, numerous public natural reserves, eight paramos, six wetlands, and more than 44,000 hectares of high Andean forest at over 3200m.

In urban terms, the city of Pasto is a reference point because its planning obeys the restoration of the main ecological structure that drives urban and rural connectivity. An example of this is its 83 municipal parks, which are designed with a system compatible to the model of Biodivercity.

Furthermore, within the Pasto la Gran Capital development plan, the environmental dimension is prioritized to make Pasto a biodiverse city 81

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that recognizes, restores, and cares. For this reason, Pasto encourages the expansion of regional and local high mountain protected areas. The formulation of the macro project, Parque Lineal Río Pasto, is currently being carried out.

This project seeks to rescue the urban fluvial corridor of the river for the generation of environmental connectivity of the high mountains and recover approximately 510,000 m2 of public space, contributing to river restoration and decreasing air pollution. Another instrument is the Ecological Restoration Plan for the recovery of strategic high mountain ecosystems, which is aimed especially at water recharge areas. There is also a commitment to the policy of disposing of single-use plastics, and for this reason, an integral plant for the management and processing of solid waste was built and integral management of demolition and construction waste has been implemented.

Pasto, a green city, seeks solutions based on nature, such as the installation of a departmental circular economy board and participation in Activating the Circular Economy in Times of Change, a program led by the Ministry of Commerce of Colombia. Through the aforementioned actions and plans Pasto has visibly demonstrated its efforts to integrate the Biodivercity model, which is focused on the protection and conservation of high mountains as a source of water and biological biodiversity, and which contributes to the construction of harmonious relationships between human beings and the environment.

N. Galarza points out that Cuenca is recognized for the management of its ecosystems. It is a city that sits at an altitude of more than 2,500 m surrounded by mountainous landscapes and has four rivers, including the Tomebamba which goes through the old historic center.

He asks, ”What impact do high mountain ecosystems have on the city of Cuenca?”

P. Palacios, Mayor of Cuenca, explains that the municipality of Cuenca is located in the southern part of Ecuador, in the middle of the Ecuadorian Andes, in an altitude of between 2,400 and 4,600 m. The center of the city is at 1500 m and is surrounded by several mountains. Cuenca is the third most important city in Ecuador, with a population of about 600,000. It has a unique hydrography and orography. There are two important protected areas for the “Ecuadorian Austria”: to the west of Cuenca is the Las Cajas National Park, which was declared a Ramsar site, and which has approximately 700 bodies of water at an altitude of 4,000 m; to the southwest is the national area of Kinsa Cocha, a wetland that provides water to the southern part of the city.

These two ecosystems are exposed to different pressures, mainly associated with anthropic activities, especially the expansion of the agri82

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cultural frontier, which affects the absorption capacity of the paramo, reducing its regulatory capacity and increasing the negative effects of any climatic event.There is also pressure from mining, which has resulted in a popular consultation seeking to establish an ordinance to prohibit mining near water sources.

The hydrographic resources mentioned above provide drinking water to the entire city and have a wide biodiversity of flora and fauna, which also represents a challenge in the face of the response to the risks such as floods, mass wasting, etc.

The four rivers crossing the city are born directly in paramo areas.These rivers have always been part of the identity of the citizens, which implies a great responsibility of superintendence, and particularly, risk management associated with floods and pollution.

Cuenca administers its basic services through public companies, the largest of which is Etapa-EP, which provides telecommunications, drinking water, sewerage, and sanitation services. Currently Cuenca has the best water quality in the country with an urban coverage of 98%. The company has a land acquisition program in the water recharge zone that has allowed the creation of a private system of protected areas, which is expanding.This program is in line with a new local ordinance in a system of protected areas called Areas of Conservation and Sustainable Use (ACUS). Beyond these considerations, the interventions of public and private sectors and the support of international cooperation are fundamental to the protection and conservation of ecosystems.

Through Etapa-EP, the El Cajas and Kinsa Cocha Parks have been administered, where several agreements have been established between different actors for the protection of strategic areas and river banks. Nine thousand hectares (about 35 square miles) are registered in the Sociopáramo and Sociobosque programs, and 3,000 hectares are protected under the Mutual Agreements for Water, in which residents commit to use sustainable and environmentally friendly techniques in exchange for resources and training. This model involves the management of toxic waste, since it has been determined that the impact of toxic waste on water quality has been decisive, even to the extent of affecting the health of the inhabitants of Cuenca and surrounding cities.

Palacios adds that all of the above are complemented by the awareness of the community, and for this reason, children are trained in environmental issues at school, and particularly to recognize that paramos are a vital part of Cuenca’s identity. He points out that only through such recognition, true sustainable development and a better future can be achieved, understanding that local well-being depends on Cuenca’s close and complex relationship with the paramos.

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N. Galarza, noting that El Alto is the world’s highest city, and one for which the incorporation of the concept of adaptation to climate change is fundamental, asks, “How do you integrate the concept of biodiversity with the conservation and protection of high mountains?

R. Blanco, Director of Water, Sanitation and Water Resources of Ciudad el Alto, states that the concept of Biodivercity is a strategy launched by the government of Colombia and is a new concept for Bolivia in the conservation and protection of high Andean ecosystems. In El Alto, within the framework of the Comprehensive Development Plan 2016-2020, guidelines were established for strategic planning with a view toward sustainable development, creating a symbiosis between the population and the care of the natural resources of the territory.

Bolivia is made up of a group of mountains divided into three hydrographic basins, all of which pertain to the central cordillera of the Andes.

Three glaciers are identified: the Condoriri, Huayna Potosi and the Zongo. Their melting forms reservoirs that provide water to El Alto and the northwest and central zones of La Paz. There are also the wells of Tilatá located south of El Alto. In 2016, however, El Alto and La Paz suffered water shortages and a decree established the rational use of water including awareness programs.

R. Blanco adds that it is important to stress that the integral management of water resources is not only directed toward the provision of water and sewerage, but also to the treatment of wastewater; and for this reason, a new semi-mechanized plant, unique in the country, was built with an investment of USD$15 million. The project contains two phases and has a main outfall that carries the wastewater.

The construction of a vehicle inspection center that performs a mechanical diagnosis was also carried out to take corrective and preventive actions on vehicles, for the purposes of protecting air quality, strengthening resilience, reducing the impacts of climate change, and decreasing GHGs, thus improving quality of life. Another form of integration is the creation of the 8 km Linear Park built along the Seco River.The park uses a linear mobility strategy, providing a green corridor for non-motorized transport, and also represents a means of generating employment and green growth. He adds that although the concept of Biodivercities is new, it has been well tested through its use in programs and projects focused on improving the quality of life of the population in accordance with the provisions of the comprehensive management plan, Desarrollo Integral para Vivir Bien 2016-2020 de Bolivia (Integral Development to Live Well 2016-2020 of Bolivia), which seeks actions that strengthen the resilience and protection of Bolivia’s cities.

Closing N. Galarza closes the panel, summarizing as follows: 84

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1.

Planning instruments allow the generation of strategies for the sustainability and leveraging of urban development, guaranteeing environmental and economic sustainability, which in turn helps cities to capitalize on biodiversity. Effective management of these strategies improves the quality of life.

2.

The protection and conservation of ecosystems are not enemies of community development. They are perfectly compatible. Efficient management of ecosystems will bring economic development through the implementation of sustainable uses such as ecotourism and organic production, thus eliminating the dichotomous perception of economic growth and protection.

3.

Biodiversity is a fundamental component for the development of cities; the promotion of the biodivercity model seeks to bring nature closer to citizens, and citizens closer to nature.

Working on the urban-rural link allows the generation of incentives for the protection of areas of environmental value, economic development, and better quality of life.

Conclusions 1.

Although the Biodivercity model is new, some administrations have used it to take actions for the protection and conservation of strategic ecosystems, which involve elements of technological development and monitoring and evaluation of resources, and which additionally comprehend the importance of awareness and appropriation of the territory on the part of citizens.

2.

The growth of cities, especially those that are close to or within areas of strategic ecosystems, brings the challenge of organizing the territory for the development of communities without forgetting the importance of protecting ecosystems, since it is ecosystems that supply and offer possibilities for development.

For this reason, it is mandatory to have planning tools with which to identify the dimensions of sustainability (social, cultural, economic, political, and environmental) in order to make decisions about the efficient management of these areas.

3.

Strategic high mountain ecosystems provide diverse ecosystem services that contribute to the development of the communities, but are exposed to multiple pressures, anthropic activities being the most common. Therefore, it is necessary to create bridges of dialogue with communities, administrations, and other stakeholders in order to organize the territory in a way that protects and conserves the natural characteristics of ecosystems, and which in turn, positively influences the development of urban 85

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communities. Successful examples of such a scenario have been illustrated in the foregoing accounts: Pasto, Colombia; Cuenca, Ecuador; El Alto, Bolivia.

Conclusions by thematic axes

1.

Biodiversity and ecosystem services The importance of high mountain ecosystems for the water supply of millions of people in different latitudes is undeniable. These high mountain regions are providers of multiple ecosystem services, and in particular, they serve as “agricultural pantries” in Colombia and the other Andean countries. The degradation of these ecosystems portends large-scale socio-environmental conflicts, and for this reason, it is a priority to coordinate conservation with the management of water resources and food production, and in reality, each and every aspect of these valuable lands. Since this is an exercise that can be replicated in many parts of the world, it is prudent to intervene proactively within the framework of current social and economic realities, which implies taking into account both economic development and the assurance of continued provision of ecosystem services.

The presentations and discussions of this First World Virtual Summit, High Mountains in Colombia: Monitoring Systems of Forests, Paramos and Glaciers, have demonstrated that it is possible to work in harmony with ecosystems and that the products and services of the high mountains can be developed and commercialized at fair prices. They have shown the importance of recognizing the efforts of those who are part of the value chain and of those who are, in parallel, advancing the research and monitoring processes that allow the understanding of current dynamics and anticipation of future conditions. They have shown how all involved can be supported by means of policies that recognize the interactions of all stakeholders in the territories, and the implications of these interactions at different geographical scales, from local to global.

With these thoughts in mind, it is also important to remember that high mountain regions are only one part of the climate system; so, differences in the biodiversity of different ecosystems—glacier, paramo, forest, etc.—as well as the complex changes that occur along the altitudinal range due to climate change must be taken into account. Among other problems, the fragmentation of ecosystems and the altitudinal climb of multiple species—which alter natural dynamics and may impact the provision of ecosystem services—stand out.

One of the great challenges for the management of biodiversity in mountain areas is securing the cooperation of the actors that come together 86

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in a given territory. Nonetheless, the presentations, discussions, and addresses of this First World Virtual Summit revealed that this challenge is best seen as an opportunity to recognize and harmonize the various elements that make up these socio-ecological systems to generate effective conservation and protection responses, which in turn, respects and improves the living conditions of the inhabitants of the mountains.

As a further consideration, special attention must be paid to the threat posed by activities such as mining and deforestation, often principal causes of biodiversity loss in mountain areas, and clear examples of change in land use leading to alteration of natural ecological cycles.

According to many of the Summit participants, monitoring systems constitute a crucial mechanism for supporting decision-making and facilitating adaptation processes, since they allow information to be collected and knowledge to be generated at different scales, at the same time involving multiple actors at all levels and facilitating the differentiated implementation of actions that reduce vulnerability to the changes faced by mountain areas on all continents. They note, however, that progress in monitoring differs greatly between regions and countries. For example, researchers in the Andes sometimes use technological tools which, while low in cost, can capture high-precision information; but this use is normally for specific short-term projects that focus on case studies, and the results cannot always be applied in other geographies.

With the announcement of Alliance for the Protection of the Paramos, proposed by the Colombian government, Colombia now has a unique opportunity and an immense responsibility, given its biodiversity, to become a pilot for the development of scalable and replicable platforms in other geographies. The first challenge is to share information, not in isolation, but in a structured way: the paramo could be the first ecosystem to be targeted by a global alliance, then the strategy could be extended to other ecosystems. In addition, the possibility of promoting industries that transform and commercialize natural products is raised.

For example, biomimicry can be a source of inspiration for the development of innovative technologies and infrastructures, turning mechanisms of national growth away from hydrocarbons and toward the enormous potential found in biodiversity—and working to overcome the obstacles identified. Even if incentives are lacking, success can come if there is cooperation of all actors and the will to materialize the various possibilities on the table.

In summary: The management of high mountain areas must recognize the variability of biodiversity along the altitudinal gradient and promote strategies that are supported by scientific knowledge and involve all the actors present in the territory. This will simultaneously guarantee: 1) protection of biodiversity, 2) satisfactory living conditions for local communities, and 3) provision of ecosystem services—and will take into account the various pressures and threats that loom over these areas.

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2.

Climate change and climate variability

Degradation and loss of ecosystems, glacier retreat The presentations on this topic throughout the course of the Summit agree that the loss of glaciers worldwide is an irreversible fact. Even under conditions that comply with the Paris Agreement to reduce emissions, by the end of this century a significant percentage of the ice masses of the entire planet will cease to exist despite the fact that in many countries there are protection mechanisms that limit the development of certain activities in glacier areas, such as in Colombia, whose glaciers are located in National Natural Parks. In less favorable climate change scenarios, the impact on glaciers would be critical even in the highest altitude areas of the planet such as the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region.

A principal focus of this Summit has been to bring to light the multitude of problems associated with glacier areas, because the relevance of the very glaciers themselves tends to become diluted—like the ice that covers them—when discussing the management and protection of other ecosystems. It is urgent, therefore, to bring to the global agenda the meaning of the extinction of glaciers in multiple dimensions including, among others: 1) the loss of identity of the communities, for whom glaciers may have significant cultural and historical meaning; 2) the risk to neighboring populations of the formation of lagoons; 3) implications of glaciers from the point of view of regulation and water supply; and 4) the colonization or arrival of new species to newly uncovered areas due to the melting of ice masses.

Having decided to view glaciers comprehensively, it is important to note that monitoring, already seen as a prominent concern when focusing on biodiversity—our first thematic axis—is an equally prominent concern when looking at our second thematic axis—climate change and variability. Despite the fact that methodologies established by the World Glacier Monitoring Service (WGMS) are applied in all the countries of the Andean region, the frequency and coverage of monitoring networks in the Andes is far from adequate to the information challenge that this historical moment of the Andean glaciers demands; and it should be noted that studies of interactions between glaciers and other mountain ecosystems are still at a very incipient stage. These circumstances demand new financial, technical, and cooperative efforts at all levels, including the active engagement of communities and other actors in the generation of knowledge, given that these ecosystems are the best indicators of climate change and that their life is already in countdown.

Water supply Another salient discussion point in the various Summit presentations was the importance of high mountain ecosystems as providers of services, particularly as providers of water for communities downstream— 88

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some of these in remote areas, some hosting large populations. Historically, the development of many cities has been implicitly dependent upon this resource even to the detriment of the supply of local communities, as is the case for the South American cities of Quito, Bogotá, and La Paz, and for some Asian cities of the HKH region where the water for about a third of the world’s population is provided.

In Andean countries, water supply—which depends closely on biodiversity—is the most valued of ecosystem services. Summit panelists were generally optimistic about the possibility of generating knowledge-supported activities that favor the sustainability of high mountain ecosystems and the living conditions of local populations; since, in the final analysis, the actions of these populations have historically supported the development of urban areas.

Research and generation of knowledge for decision making Throughout the presentations, the need to have robust data series was highlighted as the key to making informed decisions. In general, countries need to make further efforts to strengthen and articulate high mountain monitoring networks at the various geographical levels. In this way they will be able to generate permanent information, thereby improving the level of knowledge, and will have time series that allow them to diagnose, forecast, and project the conditions of different ecosystems with the precision demanded by the crucial short-term decisions they will have to make.

On a related topic, although progress has been made in the implementation of so-called nature-based solutions (NBS) as a means of increasing resilience and ensuring the provision of ecosystem services, there is also the need of ensuring that these new processes be based on dialogue and harmoniously integrate different approaches that were previously treated separately: risk management, environmental governance, climate governance, among others.

Consequently, it becomes clear that one of the main challenges that countries must face is to ensure that scientific knowledge be consolidated as a pillar that supports decision-making. The Summit presentations revealed the many difficulties that must be faced in order to obtain and deliver scientific information timely to the formulation of policies that support the management, protection, and recovery processes of high mountain ecosystems. In general, research takes time and demands multiple resources, which are not always readily available.

The scientific community is therefore challenged to be attentive to identifying present and future opportunities and needs in order to produce and deliver relevant information that allows progress in the proposed global dialogue. Policymakers, accordingly, are challenged to harmonious89

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ly integrate this knowledge with knowledge built by communities at the local level and in this way, to develop regulations whose application is feasible, thereby generating sustainable results in the medium and long term. Proactively assuming these challenges and involving other actors at different levels has become urgent in the context of the current pandemic.

Microsoft, for example, recognizing our dependence on the services that biodiversity provides, proposes the implementation of a planetary computer that consolidates a large database specifically to benefit ecosystems in conjunction with human health. Having a virtual space which is updated continuously in real time allows the identification of the needs of different countries in improving the quality of response from information providers and facilitates the cooperation of institutions.

This option is particularly important in cross-border areas, where the risks of ecosystem deterioration outweigh political, cultural, and social differences and become an integrating element. Climate services, for their part, recognize the need for agreement with their different users with regard to the information they provide, so that it incorporates the particular local conditions and gender responsibility, among others, in order to be truly useful to society.

Vulnerability and risk Regions most vulnerable to the effects of climate change are also most prone to the occurrence of natural disasters. Addressing such issues implies strengthening of entities such as climate services, which generate early warnings and allow the implementation of mitigation and prevention actions. In these vulnerable areas it is important to define climate risk scenarios at different scales and identify the areas with the greatest probability of suffering negative impacts. In this way appropriate adaptations actions can be proposed according to the particular condition of each respective area, investments can be targeted, and the resilience of all such areas can be increased.

During the Summit, several speakers highlighted the various dimensions of the relationship between communities and water. The Summit has made it evident that in addition to the provision, regulation, and recreation services attributed to high mountain ecosystems, it is also important to highlight the risks of extreme events for the surrounding communities, and to stress that such events are becoming more frequent due to climate change. Floods, landslides, torrential avenues, and lahars, among many others, are risks that demand immediate actions from multiple actors. The availability of information from the local level, supplemented with corresponding information from national, regional, and global levels allows us to understand the dynamics and make timely decisions that can make the difference between saving or losing lives.

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It should be especially noted that, in general, developing countries—and more particularly speaking, those of the Andean region—are facing multiple climate change impacts despite the fact that historically they have generated a low carbon footprint. They have been effectively forced to develop adaptation proposals for a phenomenon they did not create. It stands to reason, therefore, that developed countries are under obligation to cooperate in implementing mechanisms for technical and financial support to Andean communities to aid them in their process of establishing long-term monitoring and disaster response networks which will allow these communities to implement actions that will increase the adaptive capacity of their territories. This call-to-action is aligned with the approach of the Global Alliance for the Protection of the Paramos proposed by the Colombian government and is further reinforced by the proposal of several Summit panelists for it to apply to all of the world’s mountain ecosystems.

In summary: The world daily faces the degradation and loss of ecosystems on which its survival directly depends. Therefore, the need to advance on the following fronts arises: 1) strengthening research and monitoring networks that have been developing and generating information for some time in various strategic areas and at different levels, 2) addressing the effects of climate change through the implementation of robust strategies in which climate services play a preponderant role to identify and promote adaptation and mitigation actions, within the framework of an interface between science, politics and social management, and 3) complementing the use of technological tools that accelerate the mapping of the conditions of ecosystems with the implementation of protection actions, reduction of emissions, and strengthening of environmental education, among others, in order to actualize the proposals of the various sectors of global society in response to the growing concern for the conservation of ecosystems.

3.

Governance and social management

Several speakers emphasized the importance of actively involving the communities that inhabit the high mountain regions in the many and various actions that unfold in these ecosystems. Given the difficulty of access and relative isolation that some of these areas present and the communities’ unique knowledge of their respective territories, their participation is essential not only to facilitate the development of activities such as data collection or social acceptance of projects, but also to guarantee that these respond to local needs and that in time they allow the reestablishment, as nearly as possible, of the natural dynamics of these ecosystems. Actively involving communities in the ongoing care of ecosystems favors the improvement of the living conditions of the extended community, which means not only prioritizing local communities but considering, as well, the downstream populations that depend on these ecosystem services.

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In the Andean countries, the competitiveness of cities such as Bogotá and Quito are guaranteed in part by the water that comes from paramos, and in general, from high mountain regions; consequently, a broad, generous social agreement is required to incorporate intercultural issues, gender responsibility, and intergenerational perspectives within the framework of an agenda that corresponds to the multiple dimensions of governance.

Looking at another consideration, in view of the emergency caused by Covid-19, conservation and management of the high mountains and the well-being of its inhabitants poses challenges such as: 1) the strengthening of grassroots organizations in order to develop collaborative arrangements between communities and government, and 2) the recovery of spaces for coordination and dialogue among public entities, the private sector, and academia.

The panels pertaining to this thematic axis raised the need to promote the development of multi-level strategies that help link work agendas to thematic interests of different actors. In this way, it is possible to incorporate elements that facilitate obtaining resources and exchanging experiences, information, and knowledge; and it is also possible to gain the active participation of the whole of society, to generate scientific knowledge, and to fully develop local capacities.

Proposing actions aimed at protecting high mountain ecosystems additionally implies: 1) advancing forward from the paradigm of conserving without people toward a new paradigm of dialogue with the existing communities in the protected areas, with the goal of forming agreements that not only free spaces for conservation, but simultaneously permit opportunities for the communities to improve their quality of life, 2) enjoining all actors to accept and integrate the knowledge that communities have of their own territories, including dimensions such as climatic, phenological, conflict management, production, monitoring of fauna and its utility, etc.—all of which constitutes an important input for the design and implementation of citizen science processes, and in general, for the generation of participatory knowledge in which the interested parties are harmoniously coordinated to favor the sustainability of common-use resources.

Finally, the Summit proposed the concept of glacier governance as a mechanism to include the participation of local communities in the appropriation of technical and socio-cultural knowledge. Glacier governance allows all actors to understand climate change through the monitoring of Colombian glaciers, which—because these ecosystems are highly sen92

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sitive—are considered excellent indicators of climate change. This strategy simultaneously seeks to expand the coverage of glacier monitoring, guarantee generational change in research, reconstruct the history of these ecosystems incorporating cultural and artistic elements, among others—and ultimately identify adaptation responses to the imminent extinction of glaciers.

In summary: Governance—understood as the interaction between the various dimensions of the environment and stakeholders, and among the stakeholders themselves—can contribute to achieving a better understanding of the use of common resources in a manner that favors their sustainability. Consequently, it is necessary to: 1) incorporate participatory systems for monitoring and generating knowledge in the planning and implementation of adaptation and mitigation actions to climate change which respond to the real needs of the communities and integrate local knowledge, and 2) recognize the priorities of all interested parties and propose sustainable production systems that go beyond the currently proposed recovery of the environment exclusively through the declaration of protected areas in strategic ecosystems.

General conclusions Realities and challenges for the global alliance for the protection of the paramos High mountains, provider of ecosystem services In general mountain areas are recognized as water and food suppliers, however, they are also scenarios for tourism and research, regulators of climate variability effects, highly sensitive indicators of climate change and spaces of cultural and spiritual value for the surrounding communities. In the particular case of paramos, it is also necessary to recognize the service they provide as carbon sinks by reducing its presence in the atmosphere. Making all these services visible also allows us to assess high mountain vulnerability to climate change and the effects of climate change on the destruction of habitats and biodiversity, as well its alteration of the hydrological cycle, among others.

The presentations of this Summit made it clear that the invited countries face similar problems. This concurrence invites thought of building a regional agenda on topics as diverse as international cooperation, research, citizen participation, the strengthening of climate services conditions and monitoring networks involving communities, among others. Then arises the need to carry out, with the support of the international community, long-term programs and projects that—based on the knowledge built among the various actors at different levels—support decision-making to ensure over time, permanent provision of ecosystem services and improvement of living conditions for urban and rural communities.

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Intersectoral articulation The dimension of the challenges faced by today’s society requires harmonious articulation among the various sectors. Advancing in the recovery and conservation of ecosystems based only on the declaration of protected areas is no longer enough.The conservation of high mountain ecosystems simultaneously implies a commitment to generate sustainable economic activities in which the authorities, as well as the public sector, private companies, academia, and civil society, participate actively.

This focuses, as it should, on local communities because in the end, their actions define the trajectory of ecosystems. If this manner of cooperation is achieved in the paramos, a first successful case of sustainability of a strategic ecosystem can be consolidated.

Development on a human scale The conception of the social component in these projects has undergone an evolution. For some years we have talked about conserving with the people, but now we are taking a step further by pointing out the need to contribute to the improvement of living conditions of those who inhabit the mountains, making the well-being of the people go hand in hand with their conservation actions.

This approach brings with it robust tools that allow work—grounded in equity—which defines, in cooperation with resident populations: who, where, how, and when interventions are developed. Starting from an understanding of the system, intervention is seen as a holistic concern, taking into consideration: who lives there; what their problems, needs, and expectations are; what other processes are developing in the same area; and whether or not any of these processes are threatening ecosystems.

This type of process necessarily implies replacing the isolated specific view of a single discipline with a complex analysis that can be managed only by means of a coherent transdisciplinary approach.

Environmental education The dispersion and relative isolation in which the communities that inhabit mountain ecosystems live require additional efforts by all sectors of society, such that new knowledge reaches the most remote areas and achieves a positive impact on society-nature relationships. Designing and implementing a program that takes advantage of all available technologies to guarantee the understanding and adequate dissemination of the reality of the territories is possible only if it is done hand in hand with those who inhabit them. Therefore, it is essential to actively involve all interested parties in environmental education strategies and to have and utilize tools that enable equitable and permanent access to the benefits derived from the strategies that evolve in this new approach.

Alternatives for recovery after the pandemic The forms of social interaction stemming from the occurrence of the current pandemic have motivated reflections on the means and manner of production of what we consume. Recognizing the difficulties imposed 94

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by the consumption of goods, especially food from other parts of the world, could easily promote new production alternatives in high mountain ecosystems that contribute to the food sovereignty of the Andean countries, and at the same time, favor the sustainability of ecosystems.

This implies, among other things, collaborative arrangements between society and the state, recovering spaces for coordination and inter-institutional dialogue, and a direct linkage between the private sector and academia.

Science as a support for decision-making processes Multiple examples presented at the Summit reveal how new methodologies and technological tools support research and monitoring processes throughout the world. This allows us to recognize, for example, the previous occurrence of climate warming phenomena similar to the current one or the existence of microscopic ecosystem species moving toward extinction, which implies possible future losses of a recently identified biodiversity. All these advances once again highlight existing gaps between developed and developing countries, this time in terms of access to knowledge.

Overcoming these inequalities requires technical and financial support from the international community in order to provide the most vulnerable with relevant information to support the decision-making that increasingly frequent extreme events demand.

Considerations of carbon storage urge us to advance in the development of methodologies that measure the carbon present in high mountain peat soils, which could contribute to emission reduction schemes within the framework of global carbon fair trade.

Adaptation to climate change Although several speakers reported progress in adaptation to climate change, mainly from the implementation of so-called nature-based solutions, the general consensus appears to indicate that the best adaptation alternatives will be those that harmoniously integrate different approaches by strengthening governance and generating complex interactions between issues that were previously seen as separate: risk management, knowledge management, biodiversity, climate, economy, society, etc. A combined approach such as this will make it possible to propose actions that address sustainability as a long-term policy, not as a set of isolated projects that at best only manage to generate small impacts at the farm scale. Accordingly, it is necessary to multiply efforts and properly document each case that arises so that it will become feasible to replicate and scale actions that contribute to the sustainability of ecosystems and effectively improve the quality of life of the communities.

The Global Alliance for the Protection of the Paramos According to the opening statement of the Summit by IDEAM Director Yolanda González, President Iván Duque of Colombia—in the framework of the 75th General Assembly of the United Nations, held in September 95

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2020—called on the member countries to promote the strategy and goals embodied in the Global Alliance for the Protection of the Paramos in order to achieve the establishment of a global mechanism for technical and financial cooperation in the efforts to guarantee conservation and preservation of the paramos—given their vital capacity in providing ecosystem services—which at the same time fosters the development of sustainable economic alternatives that contribute to improving the quality of life of the communities that inhabit them. This great challenge on Colombia’s national environmental agenda will be presented to the international community within the framework of the Convention on Biological Biodiversity, to be held in Colombia at the end of May 2021.

Considering the high mountains, and in particular the paramos, as a transversal axis for the consolidation of this Alliance that would ensure the provision of ecosystem services even for remote communities in lower areas, the following challenges—at minimum—must be met: 1.

Generation of global constant and long-term financing mechanisms that can break the barrier of the information availability due to case studies’ relying exclusively on the duration and resources of specific projects. Such instruments are needed for both natural and transformed ecosystems in order to support: decision-making on crop management and livestock, identification and prioritization of high and low-impact activities, evaluation and projection of changes in land use, and the applicability of multiple methodologies and certification standards for carbon credits, among other considerations.

2.

Effective decentralization of resources to set in motion a grand process of empowerment of communities, institutions, and organizations, with particular attention to criteria that respect gender. As it evolves, empowerment will enable communities that live or work in the mountains to improve their living conditions, and at the same time, contribute to making available goods and services that may be required by remote or dispersed populations.

3.

Development and implementation of technological platforms that effectively integrate public and private institutions, academia, civil society, and relevant actors in mountain areas.

4.

Recognition of the Andean mountain socio-ecosystems, noting that large areas of the mountains have already been transformed and that it is necessary to identify new alternatives that allow the improvement of the inhabitants’ living conditions without detriment to ecosystem services.

On the other hand, it is urgent to pay special attention to glacier loss, a primary indicator of the effects of climate change. Initiatives such as participatory glacier monitoring within the framework of what we have called glacier governance have provided a role for communities, particularly young people. Such involvement is definitive in successfully collecting adequate and timely documentation of glacier retreat. The resultant 96

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learning process can potentially motivate concrete actions that will contribute to the effective reduction of emissions, a hoped-for response to the predicted impacts on glaciers by 2100 under the various climate change scenarios.

In summary: The Global Alliance for the Protection of the Paramos is a call-to-action addressed to all segments of world society in recognition of: 1.

The importance of these strategic ecosystems and the possibilities that a sustainable paramo management model would represent for all high mountain communities of the world.

2.

The necessity of supporting high mountain research and monitoring systems to reduce the current information gap and thereby enable better decision-making in high mountain regions at the local level.

Annexes Presentations links:

TITLE

Link Día 1

Opening session Eng. Yolanda González Hernández, MSc General Director Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies of Colombia (IDEAM), Colombia

https://youtu.be/9BZse9VkpsM

Biodiversity in paramos: from regional to national Mr. Fabio Antonio Guerrero Amaya, MSc Secretary of Environment and Sustainable Development Government of Boyacá, Colombia

https://youtu.be/eVH421CvRK4

How do paramos store water? The role of plants and people Dr. Mauricio Diazgranados, PhD Research Leader – Diversity & Livelihoods Natural Capital and Plant Health department Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, United Kingdom

https://youtu.be/f3z3r0FsoWE

Dynamics, biodiversity, and ecosystem services of North and South American montane forests Dr. Kenneth Young, PhD Professor Department of Geography and the Environment The University of Texas at Austin, United States of America

https://youtu.be/tjrMC1e8nEY

Panel 1 “Management of biodiversity in the high mountains” Moderator: Dr. Hernando García Martínez, MSc General Director Alexander von Humboldt Biological Resources Research97Institute, Colombia Panelists: Dr. Robert Hofstede, PhD

https://youtu.be/SwjIloWkyus

Dr. Kenneth Young, PhD Professor MEMORIES OF THE FIRST WORLD VIRTUAL SUMMIT OF HIGH MOUNTAINS IN COLOMBIA: Monitoringofsystems for forests, páramos andEnvironment glaciers Department Geography and the The University of Texas at Austin, United States of America Panel 1 “Management of biodiversity in the high mountains” Moderator: Dr. Hernando García Martínez, MSc General Director Alexander von Humboldt Biological Resources Research Institute, Colombia Panelists: Dr. Robert Hofstede, PhD Advisor on sustainable development and environment Mr. Jorge Rubiano, MSc Director RNCS Semillas de Agua Semillas de Agua Corporation Ms. Rosalaura Romeo Programme officer Mountain Partnership Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) The disappearance of glaciers in southern Europe: processes and impacts in the Pyrenees as a case study Dr. Juan Ignacio López Moreno, PhD Tenured Scientist Pyrenean Institute of Ecology (IPE) Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Spain

TITLE

https://youtu.be/tjrMC1e8nEY

https://youtu.be/SwjIloWkyus

https://youtu.be/4OF4lcrnCKU

Link Día 1

Elevating meteorological understanding on Everest: Installing the highest weather stations on Earth Dr. Baker Perry, PhD Professor Geography and Planning Appalachian State University, United States of America

https://youtu.be/dbB5oiUfvL4

Conservation and governance in high mountain ecosystems in Colombia's protected areas Ms. Carolina Jarro Fajardo, MSc Deputy of Protected Areas Management National Natural Parks of Colombia (PNN), Colombia

https://youtu.be/CftE8tyXai8

Changing landscapes and the fragmenting forests – Implications in social-ecological system in the Hindu Kush Himalaya Dr. Nakul Chettri, PhD Regional Programme Manager Transboundary Landscapes International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD)

https://youtu.be/EIPV7JcQd-c

Technology for a sustainable world: the planetary computer Ms. Jaime Galviz General Manager Microsoft Colombia.

https://youtu.be/PV0fznH7I4g

Participatory glaciology. A new way of glacier monitoring and climate change adaptation 98 Mr. Jorge Luis Ceballos, MSc Specialized professional

https://youtu.be/fpbTcHDPHS4

Technology for a sustainable world: the planetary computer Ms. Jaime Galviz General Manager Microsoft Colombia.

https://youtu.be/PV0fznH7I4g

MEMORIES OF THE FIRST WORLD VIRTUAL SUMMIT OF HIGH MOUNTAINS IN COLOMBIA: Monitoring systems for forests, páramos and glaciers

Participatory glaciology. A new way of glacier monitoring and climate change adaptation Mr. Jorge Luis Ceballos, MSc Specialized professional Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies of Colombia (IDEAM), Colombia

TITLE

https://youtu.be/fpbTcHDPHS4

Link Día 2

Governance for sustainable management of Andean landscapes M. Manuel Peralvo, MSc Programme Coordinator Sustainable Livelihoods and Landscapes Consortium for the Sustainable Development of the Andean Ecoregion (CONDESAN)

https://youtu.be/Pc7KE1KwOJU

Water governance in glacial basins: challenges and advances for water security in the Americas Dr. Mauricio Cerna, PhD Consultant Sustainable Development Department (DDS) Executive Secretariat for Integral Development (SEDI) Organization of American States (OAS)

https://youtu.be/kzi0dmAifBE

TITLE

Link Día 2

Towards an integrated approach to monitoring Andean ecosystems Dr. Luis Daniel Llambí, PhD Mountain Climate Change Adaptation Programme Coordinator Consortium for the Sustainable Development of the Andean Ecoregion (CONDESAN) Panel 2 “Sustainable management of mountain ecosystems: from science to policy and action” Moderator: Global Cryosphere Watch (GCW) World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Panelists: Dr. Stefan Schneiderbauer, PhD Co-Head of Global Mountain Safeguard Research (GLOMOS) Institute for Environment and Human Security United Nations University, Germany Dr. Carolina Adler, PhD Executive Director Mountain Research Initiative (MRI), Switzerland Ms. Roberta Boscolo Climate and Energy Scientific Officer World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Switzerland Mr. Bolívar Cáceres, MSc Head of Ecuadorian Glacier programme National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (INAMHI), Ecuador M. Manuel Peralvo, MSc 99 Programme Coordinator Sustainable Livelihoods and Landscapes Consortium for the Sustainable Development of the Andean

https://youtu.be/Egva4To64pY

https://youtu.be/KdBqI88E0Kw

Dr. Luis Daniel Llambí, PhD Mountain Climate Change Adaptation Programme Coordinator MEMORIES OF THE FIRST WORLD VIRTUAL SUMMIT OF HIGH MOUNTAINS IN COLOMBIA: Consortium thefor Sustainable Development of the Andean Monitoring for systems forests, páramos and glaciers Ecoregion (CONDESAN)

https://youtu.be/Egva4To64pY

Panel 2 “Sustainable management of mountain ecosystems: from science to policy and action” Moderator: Global Cryosphere Watch (GCW) World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Panelists: Dr. Stefan Schneiderbauer, PhD Co-Head of Global Mountain Safeguard Research (GLOMOS) Institute for Environment and Human Security United Nations University, Germany Dr. Carolina Adler, PhD Executive Director Mountain Research Initiative (MRI), Switzerland Ms. Roberta Boscolo Climate and Energy Scientific Officer World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Switzerland Mr. Bolívar Cáceres, MSc Head of Ecuadorian Glacier programme National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (INAMHI), Ecuador M. Manuel Peralvo, MSc Programme Coordinator Sustainable Livelihoods and Landscapes Consortium for the Sustainable Development of the Andean Ecoregion (Condesan)

https://youtu.be/KdBqI88E0Kw

Impacts of climate change and glacier retreat and related adaptation in high mountain regions of Europe and beyond Dr. Christian Huggel, PhD Professor Department of Geography University of Zurich, Switzerland

https://youtu.be/GMk7ilZNunI

Climate Change based on the Tropical Ice Core of the Oceania Glaciers in the Puncak Jaya Mountains, Papua, Indonesia Dr. Donaldi Permana, PhD Research Scientist Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG),

https://youtu.be/rcUH7rA7Jlk

100

MEMORIES OF THE FIRST WORLD VIRTUAL SUMMIT OF HIGH MOUNTAINS IN COLOMBIA: Monitoring systems for forests, páramos and glaciers

Changing glacier regimes and the decline of mountain glaciers in western and northern Canada Dr. Shawn Marshall, PhD Professor Department of Geography University of Calgary, Canada Reduce risks and increase resilience through Climate Services for DRR in the HKH region Dr. Mandira Shrestha, PhD Programme Coordinator Climate Services, Mountain Environment Regional Information System (MENRIS) International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) Climate Change mitigation in paramos and high mountain territories in Colombia Msc. Carlos Sarmiento, MSc Measurement, Reporting and Verification Ecological Carbon Offset Partners, LLC Paramos y Bosques Programme U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), United States of America Rapid decline of snow and ice in the tropical Andes -Impacts, uncertainties and challenges ahead Dr. Mathias Vuille, PhD Professor Department of Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences University at Albany, United States of America

TITLE

https://youtu.be/twaoUKUDIf4

https://youtu.be/E98SJd2RHRQ

https://youtu.be/FURlSgD9dx8

https://youtu.be/jhz8fixpQps

Link Día 3

Protocol greeting H.E. Iván Duque Márquez President of the Republic of Colombia

https://youtu.be/uXyFmawHfmg

Panel 1.

The role of the environment ministries in the framework of a global alliance for the protection of paramos.

Organizer: Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development Moderator: Dr. Fabio Arjona, Director of Conservation Internacional.

Panelists: H.E. Carlos Correo Escaf, MSc Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development of Colombia H.E. Garniel Quijandría Acosta, Msc Minister of Environment of Peru H.E. Franklin Paniagua Alfaro, Msc Vice-Minister of Environment Minister of Mines and Energy of Costa Rica

https://youtu.be/eiQNLQUOpPk

101

MEMORIES OF THE FIRST WORLD VIRTUAL SUMMIT OF HIGH MOUNTAINS IN COLOMBIA: Monitoring systems for forests, páramos and glaciers

Panel 2.

Multilevel and multi-actor governance for the sustainable management of the territory, a view from high mountain communities.

Organizer: CONDESAN Moderator Dr. Geovanna Lasso, PhD Andean Forest Program, Condesan Panelists: Mr. Germán Collaguazo Community of Yunguilla, Ecuador Ms. María del Pilar Lemus Lake Tota Basin, Boyacá - Colombia Ms. Marlene Mamane, MSc ACCA, Cusco - Perú

https://youtu.be/kvCHeLsDS3I

Intervention by the President of the Consortium for the Sustainable Development of the Andean Ecoregion (CONDESAN) Dr. Carlos Pomareda, PhD

https://youtu.be/8DwZGvoGU7E

Panel 3.

Role of multilateral banking, international cooperation, and NGOs Moderator: H.E. Carlos Correo Escaf, MSc Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development of Colombia Paneslists_ H.E. Patricia llombart, MSc European Union Ambassador To Colombia Dr. Yannick Glemarec, PhD Executive Director Green Climate Fund Dr. Fabio Arjona Director Conservation International Mr. Lawrence J. Sacks Mission Director USAID Colombia Mr. Martin Jaggi, MSc Head of Cooperation Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) in Peru Dr. Juan Pablo Bonilla, PhD Climate Change and Sustainable Development Manager Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)

https://youtu.be/9EV7TS9ZSZ8

Panel 4.

What is the role of cities in the management of the protection and conservation of high mountains from the viewpoint of biodivercities?

Moderator: H.E. Juan Nicolás Galarza, MSc Vice-Minister of territorial Environmental Planning

https://youtu.be/gbhTikr5TWo

102

MEMORIES OF THE FIRST WORLD VIRTUAL SUMMIT OF HIGH MOUNTAINS IN COLOMBIA: Monitoring systems for forests, páramos and glaciers

Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, Colombia Panelists: Mr. Germán Chamorro Mayor of Pasto, Colombia (2527 m) Eng. Pedro Palacios Mayor or Cuenca, Ecuador (2550 m) Mr. Juan Rubén Blanco Coariti Director of Water, Sanitation and Water Resources Mayor’s office of El Alt, Bolivia (4150 m) Closing remarks: Intervention by the Director General of the World Meteorological Organization Dr. Petteri Taalas, PhD

https://youtu.be/kvCHeLsDS3I

Intervention by the Director General of the Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies of Colombia (Ideam) Eng. Yolanda González, MSc

https://youtu.be/LcomqBPu9zQ

Intervention of the Executive Director of Condesan Ms. María Argüello

https://youtu.be/QeHyhrhdLvk

103

MEMORIES OF THE FIRST WORLD VIRTUAL SUMMIT OF HIGH MOUNTAINS IN COLOMBIA: Monitoring systems for forests, páramos and glaciers

With the support of: 104