Mariano Masiokas,R. Villaba,BRIAN HENRY LUCKMAN,D. Christie,E. Betman,C. Le Quesne, Instituto Argentino de Nivologia y Glaciologia, Dendrocronologia, mmasiokas@mendoza-conicet.gob.ar
Abstract
River flows in the populated, semi-arid regions of central-western Argentina and central Chile (28°-37 °S) are strongly dependent on meltwater from Andean winter snowpack. Analysis of instrumental snowpack and streamflow records for the past 60 and 100 years, respectively, shows strong intra- to multi-decadal variations with the driest (wettest) conditions occurring between 1954-68 (1977-87). Multi-proxy reconstructions of snow accumulation for the past 850 years indicate that variations observed in the last century are not particularly anomalous when assessed in a long term context. Current and projected population growth and water demand suggest that the vulnerability of these regions to one or more years with low snow accumulation in the Andes is likely to increase. Information on past hydroclimatic variations together with projected water needs may help improve water management practices and minimize the threats of future extended droughts in these semi-arid regions.
Keywords Snowpack variations, central Andes, water resources vulnerability