Long-Term Environmental and Social Monitoring in the Andes: State of the Art, Knowledge Gaps, and Priorities for an Integrated Agenda

Abstract

Andean social-ecological systems (SES) play a key role in the livelihoods of South American people by conserving biodiversity, providing natural resources, and regulating water supply. Long-term social-ecological monitoring (LTSEM) of Andean SES needs to be coordinated to inform sustainable management and increase resilience. We combined quantitative and qualitative approaches to identify the state of the art, knowledge gaps, and monitoring priorities for a research agenda targeted toward Andean LTSEM. We carried out participatory and transdisciplinary meetings to design a conceptual model of the functioning and monitoring of Andean SES. This was contrasted with the themes and labels of LTSEMs identified through an electronic survey and active searches of bibliographies and montane monitoring networks. Most LTSEM addressed biophysical issues, with a minor fraction addressing social aspects; participatory efforts were very rare. By combining both approaches, we identified research priorities that were grouped into 5 categories. Our main proposals advocate: (1) the development of integrated models of Andean SES to frame a transdisciplinary approach in long-term studies, (2) the coordination of independent LTSEMs to forecast the functioning of Andean SES under environmental change scenarios, (3) the inclusion of external dynamics and drivers on Andean systems, (4) the promotion of science-policy dialogue to attain a more effective governance of mountain SES, and (5) the increase of information accessibility to improve the adaptive management of Andean SES.