Strengthening Community Resilience to Climate Change: Crida Case Study on the Vital Role of Endemic Polylepis Mountain Forests and the Link to Aquifer Recharge

Abstract

In the context of increasing climate variability and its profound impacts on water resources, robust methodologies for risk analysis and planning are essential to ensure water security and sustainable management. This study uses the Climate Risk Informed Decision Analysis (CRIDA) framework to assess the vulnerability of water resources in rural mountain communities, focusing on the eastern sub-basin of the Chili River in Peru. A participatory approach was used to identify key performance indicators and conduct a hydrological stress test, revealing critical vulnerabilities to climate-related risks. This research examines the hydrological role of Andean Polylepis forests to enhance groundwater recharge as a strategy for drought adaptation. It also highlights the dual threat of deforestation to water availability and rural livelihoods. By integrating ecological conservation into climate-resilient water management strategies, this study provides novel insights for protecting vulnerable basins and promoting the sustainable coexistence of human and ecological Andean systems in the face of climate change.

Keywords: Deforestation, CRIDA, water security, climate change, aquifer recharge, Polylepis, Nature-based solutions