β1 version of 21/04/24

Continuation of UNDP PILOT PROJECT 05-B-05 (2019-2022)

Welcome to the new 2024 official English website of the "Lake Titicaca permanent Observatory - OLT"

Prepared by Xavier Lazzaro (IRD/BOREA)

Objectives of the OLT observatory

The UNDP/GEF 05-B-05 pilot project (2019-2022) aimed to understand the biogeochemical and ecological functioning of the shallow northern and central regions in the Bolivian section of shallow (mostly ≤ 9 m) Minor Lake Titicaca (Lago Menor). It is heavily impacted by the combination of intense climate change (twice the average warming of the planet) and increasing anthropogenic pollution from the rivers of the Katari watershed originating from the discharges of sewage and industrial contaminants released virtually untreated from the city of El Alto. The development of the scientific investigation was based on three survey strategies: (a) an automated monitoring with high-frequency (minutes, hours) and real-time remote transmission by a hydrometeorological profiling buoy, anchored in a 10 m deep zone, integrating the dynamics of the most populated northern region, (b) a routine sampling program over a network of 40 shallow littoral stations ( ≤ 5 m depth) directly influenced by pollution, and (c) a satellite remote sensing validated by in situ chlorophyll-a measurements that allows a multitemporal analysis of the water eutrophication at the global scale of Minor Lake.

Based on this new knowledge base acquired on a permanent and future long-term basis, it is possible to visualize the spatio-temporal evolution of the water condition and to identify the most vulnerable areas where restoration interventions are needed. Thus, an early-warning system for water quality deterioration (eutrophication) was implemented. In particular, it aimed at anticipating phytoplankton micro-algae blooms, which are extremely harmful to the aquatic environment and the hydrobiological resources that are a source of life for riverine and lacustrine populations. In fact, these blooms generate anoxia (drastic reduction of dissolved oxygen in the water), causing massive mortality of fish, frogs and even aquatic birds. It is accompanied by unpleasant odors and a bluish-green coloration of the water surface, as was first reported in the 2015 April-May rainy season. Anticipation of such phenomena may allow time to take measures (sewage treatment) capable of mitigating the magnitude of their devastating consequences for protecting the ecological functioning of the lake and human activities.

Strategies of research and monitoring

This pilot project represents the first permanent observatory (OLT) of Lake Titicaca. It uses the most advanced approaches and equipment in terms of technological innovation. It has a HydroMet profiling buoy which is the first autonomous high frequency (minutes, hours) automatic hydrometeorological monitoring buoy with real-time remote data transmission. Our Open Data practice promotes the wide sharing of knowledge, and maximizes the interdisciplinary analysis and interpretations of the data  among the international academic community. This contributes to build solid general (ecological) theories of lake ecosystem responses to climate and anthropic effects. Since then, Lake Titicaca benefits from a long-term monitoring and research program, inspired from that of other Great Lakes. In consequence of our initial step, we expect that more resources, technologies, and permanent staff will be allocated for the warranted conservation and restoration of Lake Titicaca. 

The pilot project combines research on the mechanisms of eutrophication (i.e., the proliferation of phytoplankton micro-algae due to excessive inputs of nutrients, nitrogen and/or phosphorus, and organic matter) under the conditions of a shallow, high-altitude tropical lake, with a water quality survey program based on three monitoring strategies:

Beneficiaries

The beneficiaries of the pilot project are the shore communities (e.g. farmers, fishermen, cattle ranchers, boatmen, tourism agents, etc.) who enjoy the ecosystem services provided by the lake, since the results of the monitoring will allow for targeted actions to ensure the conservation, as well as the restoration when degraded, of this major body of water, as the largest freshwater lake in South America, and the highest (navigable) of the Large Lakes.

Expected results

Outcome 1: To improve knowledge of the biogeochemical and ecological dynamics in the Titicaca Lago Menor from data generated by the HydroMet buoy (with high frequency), routine monitoring campaigns, and satellite remote sensing.

Outcome 2: To establish relationships between parameters, bioindicators and particular phenomena identified to prevent, or at least anticipate, the appearance of micro-algae blooms and other phenomena of great relevance for the life and services provided by Lake Titicaca to the populations.

Outcome 3: To train the UMSA academic personnel, and technicians of MMAyA (Bolivian Ministry of Environment and Water), SENAMHI (National Service of Meteorology and Hydrology), and ALT (Lake Titicaca auntonomous binational Authority, Peru-Bolivia) in the collection and interpretation of monitoring data for decision making and socialization of the information generated with local communities.

Outcome 4: To produce technical and scientific reports.

Outcome 5: To publish technical and scientific articles.

Outcome 6 (New from 2024): Beyond to improve the scientific knowledge, to be used by ALT as a tool, to validate chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) satelite images, in order to monitor, and design strategies to manage, and restore the water quality and protect the aquatic ressources of the overall Lake Titicaca. 

Two key ultimate practical goals of the OLT observatory

(a) Few years ago in Bolivia, sharing databases of environmental studies seemed just unthinkable.  Yet, institutions only showed results (as graphs, tables), whereas the data per se were their exclusive property and couldn't be shared. Survey and monitoring data could be used to anticipate/predict the future evolution of ecosystems, for example to avoid undesirable events, such as microalgae proliferations (i.e., blooms).  However, institutions would not allow outside specialists from multiple disiciplines to exploit their valuable databases. Instead, they will remain unused in drawers, on forgotten hard drives, or in untraceable internal reports. Such old-fashion usage is the antithesis of current practices, which promote Open Data at national and international levels. Indeed, carrying out metadata analyses enables to generalize theories and models of ecological-hydrological functioning. 

The  Open Data strategy of our research project, illustrates the value of sharing and openly analize the newly generated information. Conversely, everybody can access our OLT webpage and book, either physically or in pdf version. By being authorized users, the best teams of specialists, worldwide, can analyze the concurrent dynamics of Lago Menor water quality, trophic state, and weather conditions. Our databases are valuable to the international academic community because Lake Titicaca is a reference ecosystem being the highest of the 256 Large Lakes (≥ 500 km2). Its responses to climate changes and human activities can be contrasted to other lacustrine systems. High altitude (3,809 m) and tropical location (16 ºS) make Lake Titicaca a unique sentinel of global changes. This fully justifies promoting the technical and human resources needed to maintain the OLT observatory over the long term. The knowledge it generated doesn't have to be reserved to scientists and managers. It must rather be spread among local residents and the general public to elevate the global environmental consciousness that will make them to request best conservation and restoration practices by the authorities, allegedly in control.  

Until 2016, binational campaigns explored the limnology and fish resources of the whole lake Titicaca, coordinated by ALT (the autonomous binational Authority of Lake Titicaca), ANA (the Peruvian water national authority), PEBLT (the Peruvian special binational project on Lake Titicaca), and IMARPE  (the Institute of the Sea of ​​Peru), with a limited active participation of Bolivian institutions: MMAyA (the Ministry of the Environment and Water), UOB (Bolivia operational unit), and UMSA (Major public University of San Andres, La Paz). Performed once or twice a year, not every year, on a set of 100+ referenced limnological stations over a one-month period, they were costly and inapropriate to forecast and anticipate extreme events. Results were mainly published as institutional technical national (not binational) reports (paper versions) that were difficult to obtain, with no access to the original databases. The studies were always punctual in space and time, with no long-term or even medium-term follow-up. Detrimentally, this information was not made available to local riverside communities, nor to a wider public, who also possess empirical knowledge (handed down over generations), the sharing of which would have raised the overall level of awarness about the ecosystem conditions. 

(b) With the abundance of high-frequency data that we have produced since 2019 using the HydroMet buoy, combined with timelapses of satellite images of chlorophyll-a (a proxy of phytoplankton biomass evolution at intervals of 1 or 5 days), synchronized with weather conditions on the water surface (at 5-min interval) presented herein, there is already sufficient information to assess the mechanisms of the accelerated eutrophication of Titicaca Lago Menor. Thus, it is urgent to control/treat the mulitple pollution generated mostly by the urban area of El Alto and reaching the lake through the Katari watershed. This will avoid the present recurrent bloom-forming conditions. Indeed, they have desastrous consequences on the ecological functioning of this valuable ecosystem, with degradation of its natural resources. The consecutive rapid reduction in agriculture and farming productions, the deterioration of their quality, are thus affecting the people living standard and health. Ultimately, this is promoting population migration, with expulsion from the lake region. At the same time, the intrinsic landscape magnificence, the high cultural, patrimonial, archeological, and touristic values are vulnerated to the detriment of the local populations, and finally against the country image. 

Important note regarding the three web pages of the OLT observatory:

- The web page https://olt.geovisorumsa.com  is the initial official web page designed (in html) in Spanish by Ing. Marcela Ormachea Rojas (andremar985@gmail.com) (IIGEO/UMSA), webmaster during the duration of the pilot project UNDP 05-B-05, presenting only the results from 2019 to 2022. For now, we do not update this page anymore. 

- The web page https://olt.umsa.bo  is the web page elaborated in Spanish by Eng. Carla Machicado Sanchez (IIGEO/UMSA)(carlamsms21@gamil.com)  as a copy in Google Sites format of the web page of Eng. Marcela Ormachea Rojas. It allows an editing and updating that is easier for someone who does not have experience in html. It will be updated and become the new official OLT website.

- The web page https://sites.google.com/view/observatorylaketiticaca-olt/home  is the official web page designed in English in Google Sites format by Dr. Xavier Lazzaro (IRD/BOREA)(xavier.lazzaro@ird.fr), scientific coordinator of the OLT observatory. It is the more complete and presents the updated results for the 2019-2024 period. Soon, it will also be accessible from the ALT web page of the Binational Observatory of Lake Titicaca (OBLT). From this webpage, the sharing of the data bases can be requested by authorized users. 

Acknowledgements 

The OLT observatory's fieldwork has only been possible thanks to the brothers Don Ramón Catari Cahuaya and Don Máximo Catari Cahuaya, and his son Erik Catari Gutierrez, native Aymaras from Huatajata, the pilots of the 'lancha' Inti (motor boat) they have put at our service, for our research misssions, over the past decade. Both have unrivalled knowledge of Lago Hunaimarca and are renowned builders of wooden 'lanchas' and 'balsas' in totora (aquatic reeds, emergent aquatic macrophytes native from Lake Titicaca).

We were able to operate, maintain and repair the HydroMet buoy thanks to the expertise and technical support provided, most often remotely, by Eng. Pierre Sterling, XYLEM Inc. Sales Manager for South and Central America, and infallible technician above all. We deeply appreciate his availability and trust, which enabled us to surpass ourselves, as the technological challenge of this supersophisticated platform initially seemed beyond our reach. Thanks also for the efficiency of Cynthia Marrot, Manager at Base Flow LCC in Miami, in dispatching the buoy and spare parts as soon as they were needed. We appreciate your professionalism and friendship over the years.  

Of course, we deeply thank UNDP and GEF for selecting and financing our OLT pilot project. We are particularly grateful to Lic. Virginia Tapia Terrazas, Program Associate, who supported the launch of the project; and above all to Lic. Analia Guachalla Terrazas, Specialized Professional Technical - Administrative Liaison, who supervised the whole duration of our project, for her sound advices, guidance, assessment of our progress, and her profesionalism, she was a key to our goals achievement. We are grateful to Lic. Rocio Chain, Program Aanlyst, for her overall careful supervision. We would like to thank the International Affairs Department, Partnerships and Research Contracts Department and the Contracts and Financial Resources Department at IRD headquarters in Marseille, as well as the Representatives and Administrator of the IRD Representation in Bolivia, for the financial management of our pilot project budget, complicated by the joint validation in three currencies. We would also like to thank the Directors of the IRD/MNHN Laboratory Biology of Aquatic Organisms and Ecosystems (BOREA) for their unfailing trust and support. We are also grateful to the Dirección and technicians of the Katari River Basin Management Unit / Ministry of Environment and Water (UGCK / MMAyA), for supervising our quarterly reports along the four-years of the Pilot Project. 

We are deeply grateful to Lic. Juan José Ocola Salazar, Executive President of the Binational Autonomous Authority of Lake Titicaca (ALT), who, since 2023, after the completion of the UNDP/GEF project (2019-2022), has given us the means to reactivate the buoy, deploy a new anchor, ensure its maintenance and thus the downloading of databases. Thank you, and your team, for your confidence and interest, which now enable us to integrate the permanent monitoring of the HydroMet buoy into the Binational Observatory of Lake Titicaca (OBLT). This technological advance is essential for this unique Great Lake, a sentinel of global change, in order to track the evolution of its trophic status and anticipate undesirable extreme events (e.g. blooms). 

We are particularly grateful to Lic. Gonzalo Lora Veizaga, at the time Advisor to the Bolivian Minister of Environment and Water (MMAyA), Coordinator of the Lake Titicaca Sanitation Program, for its confidence in entrusting us with the responsibility of bringing the OLT Observatory pilot project to a successful conclusion. He was one of the few who believed in the technology and supported the innovative vision of our challenge to automatically monitor the hydro-meteorological conditions of Lake Huanaimarca on a permanent basis, at a time when the lake had just experienced its first devastating phytoplankton bloom. We share the same enthusiasm and affection for protecting this endangered iconic lake from the combined effects of human activity and climate change. 

Last but not least, we'd like to deeply thank Lic. Marissa Castro Magnani, General Director of Boundary Limits and International Transboundary Waters at the Bolivian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for her confidence in our work, the constructive discussions on our progress towards our objectives and her assessments of our quarterly reports throughout the UNDP/GEF pilot project. Not forgetting her ongoing support, even more so now that the project has been completed, in devising the most optimal institutional strategy in order to permanently sustain the OLT observatory on the long term. 

New: OLT as model for the OBLT of ALT

The structure and strategies of the OLT are currently used and integrated as a model to implement the OBLT, the Binational Observatory of Lake Titicaca and its Titicaca-Desaguadero-Poopó-Salar de Coipasa water system, managed by ALT, the binational autonomous Authority of Lake Titicaca and TDPS water system, with headquarters in Calle 14, Edif. Metrobol 2, piso 2, Calacoto, La Paz, Bolivia, https://alt-perubolivia.org . The hydrometeorological buoy (HydroMet) and its probes, as well as the generated databases, are currently operated, calibrated, validated, and maintained by the ALT technical and scientific staff.