Socio-economic impacts of glacier retreat in Bolivia

Throughout the Holocene epoch glaciers have proven to be excellent indicators of climate variations. There are a number of studies on the recent trend of Bolivian glacier disappearance, which analyse complicated interactions of geo-meteorological conditions of the sub-tropical high mountains. Currently, practically no research has been carried out on the consequences of melting and eventual disappearance of the country's glaciers or on impacts on the economic and social situation. Thus, given the present rate of small glaciers’ melting in the Bolivian Cordillera, this country study on the socio-economic impacts of glacier retreat is the first approach. It provides an overview of future scenarios. Mountain Forum Bulletin 'Melting Mountains' July 2007