12012: in the Bolivian highlands, researchers were studying a potato pest moth when they heard about bofedales, verdant oases which follow streams and contrast with the arid landscapes of the region. These little known ecosystems are less complex that those located further downstream, as they are dominated by a plant species, which could help model their interaction with the physical environment, notably rainfall and glaciers.

Biodiversity study, Bolivia.

2This is how researchers began to work on bofedales. It appeared that these ecosystems were vital for local populations, who graze their cattle there. Predicting how they will change, against the backdrop of climate change, is therefore a major issue for the region. This is why researchers decided to piece together their recent developments, through close interactions with water and therefore the glaciers rising above them. These glaciers have been monitored by scientists for 30 years.

Grazing alpacas in bofedales, Bolivia.

3By cross-referencing field data with satellite images, researchers found a link between the surface area of the 1,700 bofedales studied and the melting of glaciers observed since the late 1970s. Bofedales located near glaciers are supplied with water throughout the year, even in the dry season, and therefore do particularly well. They are larger and can withstand high grazing pressure.

4This “state of grace” will come to an end once the glaciers are gone. The absence of water during the dry season could reduce the surface area of bofedales, which may no longer be able to withstand grazing. This warning signal was received by local populations, who are already testing protection strategies by restricting access to certain bofedales during the rainy season or attempting to retain water via a variety of processes.