Environmental Impact of Wildfires in the Cordillera Blanca, Ancash, Perú

Abstract

The consequences of wildfires are directly related to the increase in greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), primarily CO₂. The Cordillera Blanca, located in the Ancash region of Peru, has raised growing concerns in recent years due to the increasing magnitude and frequency of wildfires, mainly associated with human activities and climatic factors. The primary objective of this study is to determine the environmental impacts of wildfires in the Cordillera Blanca and the significance of its ecosystem services. The methodology employed was a systematic review of studies related to cryoturbated soils and the environmental impacts of wildfires, wildfire modeling, and strategies for wildfire prevention, mitigation, and control.The study highlighted the importance of the ecosystem services provided by the Cordillera Blanca and the negative environmental impacts caused by wildfires. Furthermore, climate modeling is identified as a necessary tool for assessing wildfire impacts in the Cordillera Blanca. However, there is currently a lack of a comprehensive database to enable reliable modeling. The research also underscores the need to incorporate wildfire prevention, mitigation, and control measures. These findings demonstrate that climate change is accelerating the degradation of the Cordillera Blanca. Strengthening wildfire prevention, mitigation, and control strategies is crucial to reducing their environmental impact.