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Understanding Bofedales as Cultural Landscapes in the Central Andes

  • Wetlands and Indigenous People
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Abstract

Bofedales are azonal peat-forming wetlands located in the tropical and subtropical Andes at high altitudes (approximately 3200–5000 m). Motivated by their socio-ecological importance, unique landscape qualities, and increasing vulnerability, scholars have developed a rich research agenda to better understand this ecosystem. We conducted an analysis of the various frameworks used to study bofedales through a systematic review of 119 key academic publications. We observed a range of bofedal naming terminologies, definitions, and descriptions of key threats that sometimes aligned with disciplinary, geographic, or linguistic distinctions between studies. Notably, though the majority of papers employed natural science methods, the social science and multidisciplinary studies were more likely to discuss the role of local communities in helping manage these ecosystems, though many researchers also highlighted the need for further study of these dynamics. This analysis, therefore, demonstrates the need to develop research modalities that are rooted in local contexts and which employ both quantitative and qualitative methods to investigate and elucidate the complex human-environment dynamics that characterize these ecosystems. By documenting, we aim to support more robust research collaborations and to inform the development of research and conservation agendas that effectively support these landscapes and the myriad socio-ecological services they provide.

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Contributions

Study conception and design were performed by CW, MP, KY, RIM. Data were collected by CW. Data analysis was performed by CW, MP, KY, RIM. The first draft of the manuscript was written by CW and MP and revised by KY and RIM. This study was supervised by MP and KY. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Funding

This work has been supported by the Chilean National Agency for Research and Development (Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo de Chile), ANID FONDECYT 1201527, ANID FONDAP 15110006, ANID PIA SOC180023; DOCTORADO NACIONAL/21201693; and the Fulbright Foundation U.S. Student Research Award.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Program in History, Anthropology, and Science, Technology & Society (HASTS), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), 70 Memorial Dr., Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA

    Caroline White-Nockleby

  2. Departamento de Ciencias Históricas y Geográficas, Universidad de Tarapacá, Av. 18 de Septiembre, 2222, Arica, Chile

    Manuel Prieto

  3. School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, 145 Endeavour, Stony Brook, NY, 11790, USA

    Karina Yager

  4. Programa de Doctorado en Antropología, Universidad Católica del Norte, Le Paige 380, 1410000, San Pedro de Atacama, Chile

    Rosa Isela Meneses

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  1. Caroline White-Nockleby
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  2. Manuel Prieto
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  4. Rosa Isela Meneses
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Correspondence to Manuel Prieto.

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White-Nockleby, C., Prieto, M., Yager, K. et al. Understanding Bofedales as Cultural Landscapes in the Central Andes. Wetlands 41, 102 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13157-021-01500-y

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