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Modelling a river without gauging stations: how citizen science and a bit of creativity are reshaping hydrology One of the main challenges of contemporary hydrology is that most rivers worldwide lack discharge gauging stations that continuously record water flow. Many hydrologists acknowledge that continuous discharge data are extremely limited outside well-developed monitoring networks. This limitation has historically motivated global initiatives such as the Decade on Prediction in Ungauged Basins  (PUB) launched by the International Association of Hydrological Sciences (IAHS), precisely because a significant portion of the world’s river basins lacks the continuous measurements required to apply traditional hydrological prediction techniques. Without discharge data, however, anticipating floods, understanding droughts, or assessing climate-driven changes becomes a major challenge. A recent study, Value of water level class observations for parameter set selection in hydrological modelling  (Clerc-Schwarzenbach et al., 2025), offers a powerful alternative: combining simple citizen observations with approximate hydrological estimates to calibrate models in data-poor basins. And it doesn’t just work — it works surprisingly well. When there are no data… but there are people The study analyses so-called water level class observations  (WLC): simple records in which volunteers note how water levels rise or fall using a visual scale. They do not provide exact discharge values, but they capture what matters most: dynamics — the rhythm with which a river “breathes” over time. The authors explain it clearly: “The dynamic information provided by water level classes allows to select parameter sets that better reproduce the temporal pattern of streamflow.” In other words, even without full gauging stations, citizen observations help models understand how a river behaves. The study also highlights that consistency matters: “One diligent citizen scientist provided useful information, while data from many contributors were uninformative.” The value of the approximate: when a water balance replaces a gauging station One of the most striking findings of the study is that a formal gauging station is not strictly necessary to obtain useful information. Using an approximate water balance — a simple calculation of how much water enters the system (precipitation) and how much leaves it (evaporation) — it is possible to estimate mean annual discharge with a reasonable margin of error. And even with high uncertainty, this estimate significantly improves model performance. “Providing a range would lead to improvement while not providing a value that was too restrictive.” In other words, even a broad range of annual discharge stabilizes models better than a single “precise” value. This has major implications for basins without permanent monitoring infrastructure. A few direct measurements can change everything Even without official stations, a basin can obtain real discharge values using methods accessible to volunteer teams. These spot measurements are essential to transform water levels into discharge estimates and to refine models. Some effective techniques include: Direct float measurements: timing floating objects over a known river reach to estimate surface velocity. Approximate, but useful. Salt dilution measurements: a known quantity of salt is added and changes in conductivity are recorded downstream. This allows discharge estimation without entering the river. Georeferencing every measurement : recording precise locations, photos, and contextual information enables comparison over time and the construction of preliminary rating curves. Citizen science + incomplete data = democratic hydrology The core idea of the study can be summarized as follows: “A wide range of mean annual discharge estimates would improve model performance… more informative than providing an accurate single value.” This is an invitation to democratize data production. A dense network of gauging stations is no longer the only path to useful hydrological knowledge. Instead, robust results can emerge from combining multiple imperfect sources: HOBO sensors, committed citizen observers, a few direct discharge measurements, an approximate water balance, and support from remote sensing data. Together, these elements generate meaningful hydrological knowledge even in historically overlooked basins. Climate justice: why collecting data is also an act of equity Regions with fewer gauging stations are often the same regions most affected by the climate crisis: flash floods, severe droughts, glacier changes, and extreme storms. Without data, communities have less capacity to argue, plan, negotiate, or access funding. Collecting data — even simple, approximate data — is a way to reduce that inequality. It allows communities to: better understand their rivers, document the impacts they experience, negotiate with evidence, and actively participate in water-related decision-making. In this sense, citizen science and participatory monitoring help fill the gap left by the historical absence of official gauging stations. They are tools for empowerment, adaptation, and climate justice. This is not only about science — it is about equity between mountain regions facing emerging climatic trends. Join the HIDROCLIM network to collectively generate river data in El Chaltén! Source: Clerc-Schwarzenbach, F., Seibert, J., Vis, M. J. P., & van Meerveld, H. J. (2025). Value of water level class observations for parameter set selection in hydrological modelling . Hydrological Sciences Journal , 70(9), 1464–1480. https://doi.org/10.1080/02626667.2025.2489994

In this edition of the blog, we interview Daniela Schmidt , a PhD candidate at the Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences of the University of Buenos Aires (UBA), who studies Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF)  processes at Laguna Torre . Daniela shares the progress of her doctoral research, what we currently know about the mechanisms that trigger these sudden drainage events, and how they are modeled in a territory that is rapidly changing due to glacier retreat. We also discuss the key role that citizen observations through HidroClim  can play, especially in basins with scarce historical data: simple records of water levels and river conditions that can significantly improve the understanding and modeling of extreme events such as GLOFs. Could you tell us who you are and why you chose to study GLOFs in El Chaltén? My name is Daniela Schmidt. I am a geologist and currently pursuing a PhD at the Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences of the University of Buenos Aires, funded by a CONICET fellowship. My research focuses on geological risk associated with GLOFs, and in particular on the potential outburst of Lake Torre and how it could affect the town of El Chaltén. I chose to study the potential GLOF in El Chaltén because I wanted my work to serve a purpose beyond “scientific knowledge” alone. I want my research to help people, to provide information that allows them to understand nature and prepare for hazards that may affect them in their daily lives. What is your doctoral thesis about? My PhD thesis focuses on analyzing the geological risk associated with a potential GLOF from Lake Torre and its impact on the town of El Chaltén and nearby hiking trails. Specifically, I study how the active landslide on the slopes of Cerro Solo could release large volumes of material into the lake, triggering a sudden overflow and a downstream debris flow. Concern about a potential GLOF at Lake Torre first arose in 2015, when Professor Winocur—my PhD advisor—and collaborators identified an active landslide on the northern slope of Cerro Solo. At that time, the research group was unable to secure funding to continue the study. However, as the slope continued to show activity, in 2021 we submitted a research proposal that allowed me to develop my doctoral work on this topic. How does your work relate to glacier and proglacial lake risk monitoring and management? The ultimate goal of my PhD research is to assess the risk associated with the landslide on the northern slope of Cerro Solo, which could release large volumes of water into the Fitz Roy River and cause significant downstream flooding. To track the evolution of the slope from Buenos Aires, I use Sentinel-2A satellite imagery, which is typically updated every 3–4 days. However, this is not real-time monitoring, as any detected change has already occurred by the time it is observed. As part of my research, two camera traps have also been installed in the area since November 2022: one monitoring the slope of Cerro Solo and another on Cerro Techado Negro. These cameras do not transmit data in real time, so the information must be retrieved every six months, either directly or with the help of the IANIGLA team. The photographs allow me to observe slope evolution, movements, and triggering factors such as snowmelt, rainfall, and water infiltration. Additionally, I conducted three field campaigns, which made it possible to directly measure the evolution of cracks, scarps, and other signs of slope instability. Over the past three years, the Cerro Solo slope has shown significant activity, including block falls, shallow landslides involving both morainic material and forested areas, and the propagation of an “incipient scarp.” Regarding GLOF risk management, while one objective of my thesis is to propose mitigation, preparedness, and early warning measures, decision-making ultimately lies with government agencies. What are the main results so far regarding GLOF risk? According to the two proposed flood modeling scenarios, the southern sector of El Chaltén would be the most affected, with significant impacts on Provincial Route 41 and the bridge crossing the Fitz Roy River at the entrance to the town—two critical infrastructures for external aid in the event of flooding. Within the National Parks area, the De Agostini campground and certain sections of the trail leading to Lake Torre would also be affected. These results were communicated in a report and a presentation given to National Parks authorities in April of this year. The northern sector of the Fitz Roy River, where most of the population, tourists, and major buildings are concentrated, would not be severely affected under these scenarios. However, both models only consider “clear water” flooding—that is, they account only for the volume of water released during a GLOF, without considering trees, blocks, or sediment. While clear-water models are useful as a first approximation, a more realistic analysis must include sediment, trees, and large blocks transported by the flow. This is what we are currently working on. It is very likely that when these elements are included, the impacts will be much more severe than those shown in the preliminary scenarios. Even if the northern sector does not appear strongly affected in the current models, both riverbanks could be significantly impacted in more realistic scenarios. What changes in glacier or hydrological dynamics have been observed in recent years that could increase or reduce risk? Analysis of satellite imagery and field photographs shows that ice loss from the Torre Glacier has accelerated in recent years, doubling its retreat rate compared to earlier periods. Over the past 57 years, the glacier has lost approximately 4 km² of its surface area, and its front has retreated about 900 meters. There is also clear evidence of increased instability at the glacier front, such as the production of numerous icebergs, strong fragmentation, transverse and longitudinal crevasses, and meltwater ponds forming on the glacier surface and along its margins. This situation increases GLOF risk, as slopes that were previously supported at their base by glacier ice are now in direct contact with lake water. At the same time, the size of Lake Torre has increased considerably, suggesting that a potential GLOF could mobilize a larger volume of water. What are the main uncertainties or information gaps when assessing GLOF risk? When assessing geological hazards, estimating peak discharges entering the Fitz Roy River due to a Lake Torre outburst requires the use of multiple formulas—many empirical or based on laboratory experiments—which may not fully reflect local conditions. As explained in the research, different formulas can produce very different results. Additionally, there are no continuous data on Lake Torre water levels or Fitz Roy River discharge, which are fundamental for establishing reference water heights. There is also no active real-time monitoring system on the Cerro Solo slope. Regarding vulnerability assessment, there is a lack of precise and up-to-date official data on population distribution, seasonal workers, tourist numbers, and housing conditions, particularly near the Fitz Roy River. What types of data or monitoring would be needed to reduce these uncertainties? It would be crucial to install water level gauges in both Lake Torre and the Fitz Roy River, as well as a monitoring system on the slopes of Cerro Solo and Cerro Techado Negro using stakes, inclinometers, extensometers, and piezometers to measure movement, crack opening, and pore water pressure. Installing a real-time meteorological station and a seismic station would also be essential, as shallow earthquakes could trigger sudden slope movements. All of this should be integrated into an Early Warning System  providing real-time, accurate information to authorities and the population. Why are there differences among flood maps produced since 2019? The first flood susceptibility map produced by SEGEMAR was an excellent starting point. While it did not show potential flood depths, it identified areas that could be affected. Our recently published work aimed to improve upon this by modeling both flood extent and water depth, using a methodology developed by the University of Zurich and proposing two scenarios based on potential landslide volumes. However, these models only consider clear water and do not include sediment or debris, which would likely worsen impacts. How could hydrological data like those generated by HidroClim help reduce uncertainties? HydroClim data on water level and discharge would be fundamental, as there is currently no continuous monitoring station on the Fitz Roy River. These data are essential to establish baseline conditions and understand seasonal and event-driven variability, which greatly affects GLOF modeling outcomes. How can hydrological information improve risk prevention and local planning? Understanding how the Fitz Roy River’s discharge varies throughout the year and during extreme events enables more realistic flood modeling, better contingency planning, and clearer identification of evacuation zones and safe routes for both El Chaltén and nearby hiking trails. What challenges do you face when working with hydrological data in remote glacier environments? The main challenge is the lack of real-time data due to difficult access and harsh conditions. Transmitting data in real time is complex and expensive, often requiring satellite communication systems. How can community participation in data collection support your scientific work and local risk management? Community participation can be extremely valuable. For example, tour guides and residents who regularly travel local trails could record water levels and river conditions. These data would help improve GLOF flood models and support more effective local risk prevention strategies. We would like to especially thank Daniela Schmidt  for her willingness and openness in answering our questions.

Landslides, glaciers, and rivers in the northern sector of Los Glaciares National Park In high-mountain landscapes, we often think of risk as something sudden: a slope that gives way, a rockfall, a road cut off. Yet behind every landslide there is a long story, written slowly by water, ice, and gravity. In the northern sector of Los Glaciares National Park, in southern Patagonia, that story is accelerating. In 2024, the Andean Geomatics Laboratory of IANIGLA analyzed in the journal Quaternary International  how glacier retreat and the reorganization of the hydrological system are conditioning landslide susceptibility. What the study shows is clear: where water has been, passed through, or continues to circulate, the terrain today is more fragile. A territory shaped by water and ice The study area is located in the northern sector of Los Glaciares National Park, a region dominated by the direct influence of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. Rivers such as the Río de las Vueltas originate here, proglacial lakes such as Torre and del Desierto develop, and extensive moraine deposits are found. The authors describe this landscape as highly dynamic: “The region is characterized by a complex interaction between current glaciers, retreating glaciers, proglacial rivers, and moraine deposits.” In El Chaltén, we are not dealing with a stable system, but with a territory that is constantly reorganizing as the ice retreats and water seeks new pathways. Glacier retreat as a starting point One of the conceptual pillars of the study is that glaciers are not only water reservoirs; they are also structures that support the landscape. When a glacier retreats, it leaves behind steep slopes, loose sediments, and unconsolidated surfaces. The paper states this directly: “Glacier retreat produces over-steepened slopes and exposes unconsolidated materials, increasing the predisposition to landslides.” This process creates what we might call unstable legacies: places that do not fail immediately but are primed to do so when a trigger acts, such as intense rainfall, flooding, or increased seasonal melt. The silent role of water Although the study does not analyze extreme precipitation events, water is present in almost all the factors that increase landslide susceptibility. The most vulnerable zones coincide with: internal and lateral moraines glaciofluvial deposits poorly consolidated Quaternary materials transition zones between ice, water, and soil Regarding these materials, the authors note: “The dominant Quaternary deposits are composed of blocks, gravels, and sands that are poorly consolidated.” From a hydrological perspective, this is fundamental. These are materials that absorb and transmit water easily, reducing internal friction and favoring movement on slopes. Water does not always trigger the landslide, but it prepares the ground. Detailed analysis (1) In addition, the study shows that, in certain cases, vegetation can increase instability by adding weight to the slope and facilitating deep water infiltration, which raises internal soil pressure. This is compounded by the glacial legacy: slopes steeper than 30° exert especially high stress on Quaternary glacial sediments, which are loose and poorly consolidated materials. Slope aspect also matters: differences in solar radiation generate thermal cycles that weaken the material, and in the study area, south-facing slopes show a greater association with landslides, probably due to the presence of unstable moraines. Finally, terrain shape plays a key role: concave slopes act as zones of water and sediment accumulation, making the soil more susceptible to movement. Together, these factors reinforce a central idea of the study: water not only erodes from the surface but also destabilizes the landscape from within. A revealing contrast: when the river stabilizes One of the most interesting contributions of the study is showing that not all proximity to water implies greater risk. In the valley floor of the Río de las Vueltas, for example, susceptibility is low. “In the central area of the Río Las Vueltas valley, conditions are not favorable for landslides, since it is a floodplain with gentle slopes.” Here, water plays a different role: it transports fine sediments, reduces slopes, and redistributes energy. From this perspective, the problem in terms of risk management lies in how water circulates and what materials it flows through. How landslide susceptibility is studied To analyze these dynamics, the study uses a statistical approach known as the Frequency Ratio Model (FRM). This is important to understand, because it is a widely used tool in watershed and mountain studies. In simple terms, the method answers one question: Where did landslides occur in the past, and what conditions did those places have? The process includes: inventorying known landslides defining conditioning factors statistically evaluating how strongly those factors are associated with landslides generating a susceptibility map In the study, the factors considered were slope, elevation, aspect, lithology, geomorphology, land cover, and distance to structural elements. Geomorphology—the forms of the terrain—proved to be the most influential factor. Results: a map that anticipates The model allowed the territory to be classified into different susceptibility categories. Areas of high and very high susceptibility are concentrated in: recently deglaciated areas internal moraines steep slopes with loose materials The quality of the model was statistically evaluated: “The AUC value obtained was greater than 0.8, indicating good predictive performance of the model.” This means that the map is not merely descriptive; it has real capacity to anticipate risk zones, which is key for territorial management and planning. “Under climate change scenarios, the results of this work can help reduce vulnerability and mitigate risks.” As glaciers continue to retreat, the exposed surface area will increase, water flows will change, and stability conditions will be modified. In this sense, landslides are not anomalies: they are an expression of system readjustment. Measuring is also a form of justice Mountain regions with glaciers are often remote and poorly instrumented, yet they are crucial for water provision. Mapping risks, understanding processes, and generating data is a way of not leaving these territories off the map. Landslides are not just geological accidents. They are the visible consequence of a territory where water has changed its place. Understanding them requires viewing the landscape as a living system, where rivers, glaciers, and slopes are in constant dialogue. The management of emerging climate risks is a necessity for all mountain ecosystems. Join the HidroClim network to help collect data useful for climate risk management in El Chaltén!

This remote side-event is part of the official program for the celebration of the first World Day for Glacier and World Water Day on 20-21 March 2025. For more information on this official remote side-event, please visit UNESCO's website. The workshop aims to inspire the community in Los Glaciares National Park by highlighting their shared challenges with other Glacier World Heritage Sites . Through the exploration of potential connections and possible collaborations with other World Heritage Glacier communities, the workshop seeks to foster a stronger, unified voice to advocate for glacier conservation on a global scale.  Date: 20 March 2025 Time: 18:00 GMT-3 Location: El Chaltén Suites  Registration link: https://forms.gle/AtyGQA6ADUbruAs17 (Co-)organizers: Boana, AGMEC - El Chaltén Mountain Guides Association, the Tidelines Institue, The Nature Conservation Fund, and Huijbens Edwards Target audience: El Chalten’s community and local institutions & live brodcast through Boana’s instagram Agenda: The role of local communities in protecting World Heritage sites Understanding the significance of World Heritage status and how local communities can play a leading role in the effective conservation and management of these landscapes. Exploring how different communities near World Heritage glaciers have organized themselves for conservation, offering inspiration for local efforts. The power of shared knowledge and advocacy campaigns for glacier and post-glacial conservation in World Heritage Site Exploring the potential for creating a network of glacier communities that exchange knowledge and work together on joint advocacy initiatives. Imagining a future where interconnected communities come together to amplify their voices and drive glacier conservation on a global scale. Projection of an online testimony of another World Heritage Glacier community Transforming cultural connections into collective action: a dialogue for future collaboration Exploring how cultural connections to glaciers can serve as a powerful foundation for connecting with other World Heritage glacier sites, and envision how World Heritage Glacier communities could build collaborative initiatives. Q&A with the online guest  For more information on the full program of the celebration of the first World Day for Glacier and World Water Day on 20-21 March 2025 please visit this page . Download PDF to access the full program

On March 14, 2025, a message circulated in some WhatsApp groups. It announced in capital letters: "NATIONAL PARKS PEOPLE CALLED THE COMMUNITY TO AN INFORMATIONAL MEETING (...) WITH THE PRESIDENT OF PARKS AND THE MAYOR." On March 14th, I was supposed to be posting the registration for an event we were organizing to celebrate World Day for Glaciers. I was meant to meet with the guides I was working with on this workshop, to build more climate justice. We were going to discuss how to connect communities from World Heritage sites with glaciers. But instead of planning the celebration of the World Day for Glaciers in El Chaltén, we found ourselves reacting. In my mind, climate justice slips just a little further away, along with all the values it encompasses. Once again, we are reacting, and once again, I feel like another day has been stolen from us, like they’re taking our time. Again and again, w e demand that the basic foundations of democracy be upheld. So we can ensure that the system will protect us when we begin to enter a zone of profound uncertainty regarding the future social, political, and environmental impacts of climate change. I don’t feel safe, and it’s not because of the sixth mass extinction or climate change. It’s because of my representatives. The authorities are sending the message that they are truly above it all. They can act outside the law: they can start dismantling without permission, they can announce a public meeting literally half an hour before it takes place. They can dismantle all the mechanisms that make me feel secure within a democracy. The president of Parks can show up in town, out of nowhere, and start a meeting by saying that he is the one making the decisions here.  When did we get here? What is the future of Patagonia? All I feel is that I wanted to create. But once again, I found myself demanding the basics: t hat the law be upheld , that we are informed about the conservation goals for the coming years, and that a consultative mechanism be established to link the protected area with community representatives. That we are informed, in a timely manner, about why the administration in charge of conserving the site is dismantling trees. But by demanding the basics, I find comfort in the smiles and ingenuity of the slogans during the self-organized march: « Larssen, fraud, don’t mess with the forest Larssen, Oso, the forest is not a business.  It’s time to stand up  The forest is untouchable. » How can we project ourselves, be innovative, create, adapt to climate change, and create initiatives that unite social justice with environmental justice when we are condemned to merely react, watch, and protest? For years, the community has been asking for more democracy, because many of us love this place, we live it, and we know how different it is from the rest of the world, in both its social and ecological dimensions. Many of us want improvements. And although that may mean something different for each sector, we need to reflect on the territorial project for this place – and this is done by creating platforms that allow us to understand the values, priorities, and needs of the people. Could they finally create the Local Advisory Commission, or are they going to keep us sidelined from the crucial reflections and decision-making processes about the protected area for a few more years? Written by Marie Anière Martinez

Mountain Social-Ecological Futures Workshop. © Mountain Research Iniciative (MRI) Boana seeks to create and strengthen links between the local community and the international community. In order to promote exchanges between scientific knowledge and participatory management of protected areas, Boana participates in events and working groups to identify innovative tools for results-based management. Objectives of the Mountain Socio-Ecological Working Group On June 21, 2024, Marie Anière Martinez participated as co-founder of Boana in an event on post-glacial ecosystem research organized by the M ountain Social-Ecological Futures working group . This event was held within the framework of the 3rd World Biodiversity Forum , whose central theme was moving from “Science to Action”. The working group brings together researchers working on defining a global research agenda with local knowledge applicable to these emerging spaces. The working group is part of the MRI, the Mountain Research Initiative . The knowledge production allows the identification of emerging knowledge on monitoring systems for areas undergoing deglaciation. In addition, it takes an innovative approach to the renewal of deglaciation narratives. In this framework, the working group invited 18 participants from 13 countries in Davos , Switzerland, to exchange land and water use experiences in deglaciation contexts, as well as scientific knowledge useful for decision making. Futures Studies and mountain ecosystems During the event, perspectives on futures studies and their potential application to the management of emerging spaces were exchanged. Futures studies are “ the systematic study of possible, probable and preferred futures, including the worldviews and myths that underlie each future ”. Futures studies do not rely solely on the analysis and projection of current and observed trends. Researchers pay attention to fundamental trends (socioeconomic, political) and to fragile, fragmented and emerging signals. In addition, futures studies highlight the possibilities offered for each territory according to changes in trajectory . “ Instead of reinforcing the spirit of despair and surrendering to the already known and pre-determined future, they encourage people and organizations towards a systematic and cooperative awareness and networking to achieve their ideals and realize their visions that indicate their desired future” . The creation of scenarios and the identification of desirable futures for mountain communities is essential to avoid generating adaptation gaps and deepening inequalities between territories. In addition, the results of futures studies can provide useful knowledge for the visualization of local development trajectories . New challenges for the characterization of the Outstanding Universal Value of the site In El Chaltén, Boana identifies as a priority measure the implementation of a global assessment at the site scale to identify the main interactions with climatic and non-climatic vulnerabilities . This measure implies the synthesis of currently available local scientific knowledge as a prerequisite for the identification of current information gaps. In addition, we highlight the n eed for participatory identification of scientific research questions , in order to embed the adaptation process within local management issues. Locally, the transition to post-glacial ecosystems implies (1) the change in the d escription of the Outstanding Universal Site Value (2) the emergence of new ecosystems and the need to monitor them , both in terms of risk management and analysis of new climatic shelters, (3) the creation of water governance mechanisms and the investment in participatory monitoring systems (4) and the need for legal reconceptualization of the new cycle of human-induced ice melt, in relation with protected areas categories, and mobilizing Source-to-Sea principles. Encourage exchanges between science, public policy and the community. The development of protected area management scenarios and development trajectories are also priorities for understanding the long-term impacts of decision making in the present. In order to conserve the ecosystems of Southern Patagonia, Boana will continue to develop cooperative research and identify assessment methodologies to understand the challenges and opportunities of protected area management. The exchange of experiences between mountain communities around the world allows us to find shared strategies and avoid deepening the adaptation gap between territories. The MRI highlights t hat  “the primary outcome of these efforts will be the formation of an informed community focused on mountain futures. This community will engage in a variety of activities, including synthesizing current knowledge about mountain futures, exchanging approaches and methods to address these challenges, and promoting initiatives to anticipate changes in mountains and enhance the adaptability of local communities.”  Boana is grateful to MRI for organizing the event and for the possibility of integrating El Chaltén's management challenges into a global research agenda on post-glacial ecosystems.

By Natali Ormazábal, El Chaltén. On a rainy Autumn Sunday in El Chaltén, there’s “pesto” outside as they call it around here. A combination of wind, rain and cold. The days shorten and it starts to get colder. It was six in the afternoon. We were in a hall in the Chaltén Suites Hotel forming part of a gathering between local neighbours and an investigative scientist and glacier lover, to talk about the role glaciers play for the community and its behaviour due to climate change. The French association, Boana, which has been active in Chaltén since its creation, addresses participatory water management issues, and participatory monitoring of ecosystems and investigates how mountainous areas can adapt to climate change. In this instance, they organized a workshop on “Cryospheric Sciences and Adaptation to Climate Change” with the presence of Dr. in Glaciology and Andean geomatics, currently President of the Working Group “Environmental and Infrastructure Monitoring” of Technical Commission II, of the International Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS): Gabriela Lenzano. An encounter at the crossroads between science, citizenship and activism. Marie Anière, co-founder of Boana, started presenting the workshop a little after 6:10 in the afternoon. There were more than 30 participants. She gave us a rundown of climate change adaptation, horizons in planification and political decisions. She introduced the concepts of vulnerability and impact. Finally, she shared 3 adaptation plans that were put to use in Europe. The objective was to make the first diagnostic of participatory vulnerability towards the community for climate change adaptation. A global challenge that involves open knowledge sharing Last July 2023 was the hottest month in the recorded history of the earth. Also, in that same year, the UN declared the "era of global boiling"; and, as Chaltén is located within a protected area, inside Los Glaciares National Park, where glaciers retreat every year, it was appropriate to generate this open dialogue. This is how a space of connection was created between the research of a glaciologist and the observations of the neighbors who live at the feet of the hanging glacier cirques in the northern part of the park, and next to the deepest lake in South America, Lake Viedma. Gabriela Lenzano travelled from Mendoza to El Chaltén invited by Boana, and thanks to the support of the IACS (International Association of Cryospheric Sciences) / IUGG, to initiate a local dialog about the necessity to adapt to climate change, emphasizing the results of the research done by IANIGLA, also member of the International Association of Cryospheric Sciences, on the behavior of the Upsala, Perito Moreno and Viedma Glaciers. “Los glaciares son termómetros de sensibilidad al cambio climático”, mencionó la investigadora, fuerte y claro, y la sala escuchaba en total silencio. Los mismos cumplen un rol de identidad para quienes habitan la región de El Chaltén, y a su vez desempeñan un papel fundamental como testigos de las condiciones medioambientales pasadas, presentes y futuras. Esta sensibilidad a los cambios ambientales está condicionada principalmente como consecuencia del cambio climático, agregaba. “The glaciers are climate change sensibility thermometers”, mentioned the researcher, loud and clear, and the room listened in complete silence. The glaciers fulfil a role of identity for those who inhabit the Chaltén region and in turn, play a fundamental part as witnesses of past, present and future environmental conditions. This sensibility towards environmental changes is primarily a consequence of climate change, she added. By the end of the XXI century, half of the world’s mountainous glaciers will have disappeared, if we reach a temperature increase of 1.5ºC. The medium sea level will keep rising due to the contribution made by melting glaciers and this tendency has accelerated twice as much as in the XX century. The impact done to some ecosystems is near irreversible, she later commented. An interesting and alarming instance was upon us when we were shown two time-lapse photo sequences (here above) of cameras installed on the Viedma and Perito Moreno Glaciers, in which one could observe the movement and oscillations of both glaciers. The more alarming one being the strong frontal regression of the Viedma Glacier, registered between the years 2014 and 2016, where one can see the great mass of ice that was detached. Hence, the interaction between the glacier and the water considerably accelerates its regression. The Perito Moreno Glacier, for 100 years oscillated, advanced and retreated; it is currently weakened in its margins and also suffers from climatic vulnerability. The Viedma Glacier, is a large ice mass that has experienced from 2014 to date a loss of 5.5 km2 of ice surface with a frontal retreat of approximately 2 km, and whose lake depth near the glacier front is 900 m. Frontal velocities of 3.5 m per day have been recorded. Thus, among those present we imagine the fjord that would be exposed when the glacier in question continues to retreat. Something far and hard to imagine but it is there, happening little by little. Among the data shared by Gabriela, it is shown that between 1978-2018 there was a loss of ice in 28 glaciers that make up the Glacier National Park of -1.44 ± 0.15 m a-1 w. e. According to future scenarios, if greenhouse gas emissions are severely reduced by the year 2100, even so 20% of the glaciers would disappear in Southern Patagonia, therefore, ecosystems will evidently change. At the moment, there are no future projections for the region. “Given such a scenario of uncertainty, which slopes are more susceptible or prone to landslides?” She invited us to ask ourselves. The imminent destiny of glacial tourism The modification of the landscape due to climate change increases the vulnerability of existing ecosystems and that of the stationary and transitory population. It was in this framework that the concept of “Glacial Tourism” and its imminent destiny was discussed. The development of glacial tourism in El Chaltén and El Calafate, which are the regional settlements that develop tourism as the base for their economy, must transform into a social player taking part in moving towards adaptation. The importance of communal knowledge in the construction of climate change vulnerability analysis. Gabriela highlighted that the views of the communities towards environmental and social issues, their level of organization and participation and the type of activities they carry out in conjunction with the protected area, is very important. It was then that the project named “Donde Nacen Las Aguas (DNLA)” (Where the Waters Are Born), was mentioned, which combines science, management and communal participation to develop new conservation practices for the Austral Patagonian aquatic ecosystems. Within the practices that could be carried out, Marie highlighted the importance in forming and consolidating workshops to develop a local management system to help integrate the results of monitoring physical and social systems through community spaces. An integration of science, management and community would be very fruitful. At the end of the exposition, some participants voiced concerns about the depth of the Viedma Glacier and its flotation; of the rising water levels and how it affects the flow of rivers. Some mountain guides shared images taken by them showing an abrupt change to the left margin of the Viedma Glacier. It’s something we all see, that can be seen by those of us who go to these places every year, they said; lagoons that form on the sides of the glaciers and deposit water over them, accelerating the regression. Some suggestions were made, linked to the above, that proposed that in the framework of “participatory sciences” a collaborative platform could be made with images taken by park attendees. At the end of the gathering, a neighbour raised his hand and asked, looking at Gabriela: “What do you, the researchers, require from the community to carry out your work?” These concerns and their participation demonstrate the interest and love the inhabitants of El Chaltén have towards contributing to taking care of the glaciers, their home; a fact that generates good expectations in interactions for adaptation that could happen going forward. A tourist was there with her sons, two boys. She stepped forward before she left, thanked the presentation and highlighted the importance of these spaces for future generations. It was a beautiful gesture that contributed to the harmonious ambience of the day. After 9 p.m. the workshop ended, the pesto continued outside. That necessary combination of wind, rain and cold is necessary for the remaining glaciers to continue to exist.

For the end of the tourist season in our beautiful town, we welcome Gabriela Lenzano, glaciologist from IANIGLA, with the support of IACS (International Association of Cryospheric Sciences). We invite the community to participate in the talk on Sunday, April 7, at 7 pm at Chaltén Suites How can scientific data be used for the application of knowledge by mountain users? How can mountain users' observations and scientific modeling interact? How are mountaineering practices evolving in the face of new global climate challenges? These are some of the questions that we will ask ourselves in the company of Gabriela Lenzano and under the moderation of Marie Anière Martinez, president of the Boana association. Program: WORKSHOP 1 Dialogues between science and community: In this participatory workshop, we will identify opportunities for adaptation to climate change in the Northern Zone of the Park. In the first part of the workshop, we will review good adaptation practices and illustrate them with examples. In the second part, we will hold roundtable discussions with the participants on the central themes of climate change adaptation. Post-glacial ecosystems and meltwater: what are landscapes like with annual discharges of 10 gigatons? Landslide risks in the Northern Zone: comparison of landslide maps of the Northern Zone with field observations. Tourism economics and climate change adaptation: challenges of diversification, slow tourism and local planning. WORKSHOP 2 In this second workshop, we will share perceptions, observations and emotions, as drivers of ecological action. We will also highlight the important role of women in the community as leaders of environmental preservation initiatives. We will open the dialogue to invited community members to discuss environmental leadership and collective proposals. About researcher Gabriela Lenzano : Dr. M. Gabriela Lenzano has more than 18 years of experience in interdisciplinary research in the field of glaciology based on geospatial science and information technology. She is currently in charge of the Laboratory of Andean Geomatics (LAGEAN) and Adjunct Researcher at the Argentine Institute of Nivology, Glaciology and Environmental Sciences (IANIGLA) of the National Council of Scientific and Technical Research (CONICET, Argentina). Her career has been focused on glacier dynamics in Southern Patagonia and Central Andes through the detection of changes using remote sensing data mining techniques. She is currently chair of Working Group 8 "Environmental and Infrastructure Monitoring" of the Technical Commission II of the International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS).

Are you looking for a formative experience and also looking to get involved in an association? Are you interested in international cooperation to promote social and environmental justice? Then why not join us for a 2-month work placement in partnership research and communications? Reporting to the co-founder and working directly with the other members of the Boana office, the intern will be involved in developing projects by seeking out partnership opportunities and opportunities for calls for projects and supporting the production of annual communication materials on the results and impact of projects. Further details on the internship assignment can be found in the internship offer, which can be downloaded here : Deadline for receipt of applications: 30 April 2024. To apply, please complete this questionnaire and send your CV to the following address boana.pro@gmail.com with "Internship application - NAME First Name" in the subject line

The inhabitants of El Chaltén, local environmental associations, health center professionals and CONICET researchers are warning about the environmental consequences of tourism overload. In this small Patagonian town nestled in Los Glaciares National Park, at the foot of the most famous peaks in the world, the community warns about water contamination and the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria caused by poor wastewater management by the state-owned company SPSE. El Chaltén is experiencing stresses and challenges as tourism develops faster than its basic infrastructure can be upgraded. This small town in southern Argentine Patagonia, with its unique view of Mount Fitz Roy, is one of the world's largest freshwater reserves and a rapidly growing tourist destination. El Chaltén is located in Los Glaciares National Park and was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1981 for its spectacular beauty, its glaciological and geomorphological importance and its endangered local fauna. One of the most burning issues facing El Chaltén is the critical state of its wastewater treatment plant. The plant's capacity has reached its limit and, in 2022, just before the start of the summer tourist season, untreated waste discharges were recorded in the rivers bordering the town. This situation poses a serious threat to public health and the integrity of the region's surface water bodies. El Chaltén is at the crossroads between the promotion of sustainable tourism and the need to ensure environmental conservation. El Chaltén has about 3,000 inhabitants and receives more than 10,000 tourists per day in high season*. Residents, health personnel, local associations and local researchers are concerned about the total lack of control over the contamination of the Fitz Roy and Río de las Vueltas rivers. The health alert issued by doctors of the local health center warns of the presence of E.coli bacteria and multiresistant to antibiotics bacteria downstream of the sewage treatment plant. The research project entitled "Study of bacterial resistance to antibiotics in Argentine wetlands", developed by Soledad Domínguez and Soledad Esquius, researchers from the National University of Mar del Plata, reveals the development of these antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the aquatic ecosystems of the protected area. Indications of the presence of E.coli bacteria strains show resistance patterns similar to those found in rivers heavily impacted by human presence, such as rivers bordered by industries like La Plata and Luján. Bacteria detected in the water at the confluence of rivers represent a danger of infectious disease development, a risk to both human health and biodiversity. Today, international tourists visiting the site are not informed of local issues, because there is a desire to preserve the reputation of the site. The French are the most represented nationality in the Northern Zone of Les Glaciers National Park, with 20% of visitors in 2019**. Residents take legal action in the hope that authorities will take action The community of El Chaltén, concerned about the critical environmental situation resulting from the poor condition of its wastewater treatment plant, has filed an environmental lawsuit against Servicios Públicos Sociedad del Estado, the public company of the Province of Santa Cruz in charge of the treatment plant. The legal action demands the immediate, urgent and definitive cessation, restoration and repair of the environmental damage to the Fitz Roy and Vueltas rivers, located in Los Glaciares National Park. But this was only possible thanks to an outstanding alliance of women at the forefront of this denunciation campaign. First of all, the women researchers who played an essential role in setting up a program to monitor the waters of the protected area; then the Park's conservation officers, the women doctors, the Boana volunteers, the women lawyers, the neighbors. All of them use their means and resources to take care of their community and their environment. The current national political context increases the uncertainty surrounding the management of this public health problem. The defense of environmental rights and transparent water management are at risk in the face of threats to dismantle the Ministries of the Environment and the National Council for Scientific and Technological Research (CONICET) by the newly elected government. Likewise, the new head of government advocates the privatization of rivers, despite the fact that Argentina has more than 8,484 km² of glaciers and one of the world's largest reserves of fresh water, essential for the planet. The denial of climate change and the open war against environmental movements feed and legitimize all incitements to discredit and harm environmental advocates in a country where nature is seen as a resource to be privatized, exploited and sold as a commodity. As a multicultural, feminist and environmentalist association, allied with research and the protection of nature as a common good of humanity, we will remain mobilized, in solidarity with citizens' movements and will continue to fight for the social and environmental rights of people, for a just world and for a habitable and preserved planet. *Based on an estimate by the National Parks Administration, which registers the number of visitors to the site on a daily basis. **Sgubini, P. (2018). Informe Indicadores de Sustentabilidad Turística de la Municipalidad de El Chaltén, Provincia de Santa Cruz.

On January 8, 9 and 10, a hundred hectares of forest were burned in a few hours. Thanks to the work of ICE patrolmen and volunteers who have been on the field for 2 days and after the mobilization of a hydroplane, the fire has been contained. Just one year ago, the Boana team, together with Chaltén volunteers and park workers, carried out sampling at exactly this area of the Vuelta del Huemul, which is more and more frequented by tourists, to measure the signs of human impact on the park's waters. Today, this fire is a sad reminder that the ecosystems of this World Heritage Site are highly vulnerable to drought (accelerated by climate change) and human impacts related to recreational use of the park. Despite the increase in tourism in El Chaltén in recent years, we see no action to expand resources and budget for hazard prevention and response services in the National Park. The third largest freshwater reserve in the world needs resources to be protected #ArdenLosGlaciares Map: André Barbosa Tavares Source: sentinel.hub.com Infrared views of 2/01/23 and 10/01/23 before and after the fire. #worldheritagesite #unesco #patagonia #incendiosforestales #iucn #forestfire #brigadistasenlucha #incendies #mountainsmatter #derechosdelanaturaleza #climatechangeadaptation #rethinkingconservation

A conceptual framework that bridges the gap between nature and culture Since the 1980s, after scientists' alerts, the authorities realized the seriousness of the situation of biodiversity loss, i.e. the sixth mass extinction of species now induced by humans. The history of these international debates on biodiversity indicates that, at the beginning, they only addressed state ownership of biological resources, and then widened under the pressure of indigenous activists and scientists, to include indigenous knowledge of nature. However, this biodiversity is thought of as a diversity of plant and animal species that have evolved on Earth, interconnected among themselves and with the ecosystems in which they live, without including human beings as part of this interconnected web. The conservation of nature is also thought from the possible utility that can benefit the capitalist and extractivist society. In the 1990s, it is thanks to advances in the field of human rights of indigenous communities, such as land rights, traditional resource rights, property rights and cultural and linguistic rights, that ecological diversities and cultural diversities are progressively related. Meanwhile, linguists and ethnologists draw attention to the rapid and dramatic extinction of languages in the world, since it is estimated that by the end of the 21st century, between 50 and 90% of the 6,900 languages currently spoken will have disappeared. Indigenous territories become of interest to the critical scientific community, who observe a relationship between environmental conservation areas and indigenous territories. These investigations show the strong correlation between areas of preserved biodiversity concentration and the presence of indigenous groups and cultural and linguistic diversities. This furthermore highlights the disconnection of western societies with their environments. Biocultural heritage, as the inter-connected biological and cultural diversity of local communities and indigenous peoples, implies the notion of collective care. Collective care also brings together a set of local ecological knowledge, as well as values and belief systems. The concept of Biocultural Heritage emerges in the academic field as a great synergy between two powerful contemporary global social movements: the vindication of original or indigenous peoples and critical environmentalism. The concept of biocultural diversity promotes a field of research that, based on the social, linguistic, and natural sciences, tries to identify the correlations and possible causal connections between these diversities, examines the social, economic and ecological dynamics that threaten them and explores the implications of loss of biocultural diversity for sustainability. Applications of the concept include the development of biocultural approaches to conservation, policy instruments to protect biocultural rights, and tools and initiatives on the ground to maintain and revitalize biocultural heritage. In practice, the most important impetus for the protection and maintenance of biocultural diversity cannot come from the authorities through top-down efforts, but from the action of indigenous and other local communities around the world. whose languages, cultural identities and lands are threatened. References and bibliographic resources: A framework for exploring and managing biocultural heritage, Johan L indholm, Anneli Ekblom Linguistic, Cultural, and Bio logical Diversity, Luisa Maffi Terralingua, Salt Spring Island, British Columbia V8K 2N6, Canada Biocultural Diversity Toolkit, Luisa Maffi and Ortixia Dilts: https://terralingua.org/shop/biocultural-diversity-toolkit/