A Paired-Catchment Approach for Characterizing Hydrological Functioning in Data-Limited Headwaters of the Peruvian Andean Puna

A Paired-Catchment Approach for Characterizing Hydrological Functioning in Data-Limited Headwaters of the Peruvian Andean Puna | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Skip to main content Preprints Collections Wiley Open Research IET Open Research Ecological Society of Japan All Collections About About Authorea FAQs Contact Us Quick Search anywhere Search for preprint articles, keywords, etc. Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary. 12 June 2025 V1 Latest version Share on A Paired-Catchment Approach for Characterizing Hydrological Functioning in Data-Limited Headwaters of the Peruvian Andean Puna Authors : Juan Diego Bardales 0000-0002-8302-8505 [email protected] , Pedro Rau 0000-0002-1004-6729 , Katy Medina Marcos , Edwin Loarte Cadenas , Junior Gil Ríos 0000-0001-5413-9073 , Thomas Condom , and Boris Ochoa-Tocachi 0000-0002-4990-8429 Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/au.174970641.10333386/v1 262 views 105 downloads Contents Abstract Supplementary Material Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract Hydrological systems in the tropical Andes are characterized by a pronounced climatic and biophysical variability yet remain understudied, particularly in Peru, where diverse natural and anthropogenic factors challenge sustainable water management. Using a paired‑catchment design under similar climatic conditions, this study introduces a novel methodology for analyzing data-limited catchments by comparing two adjacent headwater catchments in the humid Peruvian puna of around 3 km2, named HUA_01 and HUA_02. High-resolution rainfall and streamflow data, combined with key biophysical indicators, were used to assess how variations in factors such as bofedal extent and connectivity influence hydrological functioning. Our analysis shows that HUA_01 exhibits higher event-scale runoff coefficients with a delayed, buffered response, whereas HUA_02 demonstrates a “flashier” behavior with faster recession dynamics and enhanced percolation –effects that are exacerbated by overgrazing. Furthermore, we identify a dual reservoir system, consisting of a rapidly responsive shallow component and a slower, deeper reservoir, which underscores the complex interplay between surface processes and subsurface storage. These findings not only advance our conceptual understanding of headwater hydrology in the Andean Puna but also highlight the critical need for comprehensive research to guide adaptive water management strategies amid climate change and increasing land-use pressures in high-Andean headwaters. Supplementary Material File (main manuscript_bardales etal.docx) Download 2.55 MB Information & Authors Information Version history V1 Version 1 12 June 2025 Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License. Keywords biophysical indicators bofedales hydrological indicators hydrological processes hypothetic-deductive approach overgrazing Authors Affiliations Juan Diego Bardales 0000-0002-8302-8505 [email protected] Universidad de Ingenieria y Tecnologia View all articles by this author Pedro Rau 0000-0002-1004-6729 Universidad de Ingenieria y Tecnologia View all articles by this author Katy Medina Marcos Regional Initiative for Hydrological Monitoring of Andean Ecosystems (iMHEA View all articles by this author Edwin Loarte Cadenas Regional Initiative for Hydrological Monitoring of Andean Ecosystems (iMHEA View all articles by this author Junior Gil Ríos 0000-0001-5413-9073 Universidad de Ingenieria y Tecnologia View all articles by this author Thomas Condom Universite Grenoble Alpes Polytech Grenoble View all articles by this author Boris Ochoa-Tocachi 0000-0002-4990-8429 Regional Initiative for Hydrological Monitoring of Andean Ecosystems (iMHEA View all articles by this author Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 262 views 105 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation Juan Diego Bardales, Pedro Rau, Katy Medina Marcos, et al. A Paired-Catchment Approach for Characterizing Hydrological Functioning in Data-Limited Headwaters of the Peruvian Andean Puna. Authorea . 12 June 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.174970641.10333386/v1 If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download. For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu . Format Please select one from the list RIS (ProCite, Reference Manager) EndNote BibTex Medlars RefWorks Direct import Tips for downloading citations document.getElementById('citMgrHelpLink').addEventListener('click', function() { popupHelp(this.href); return false; }); $(".js__slcInclude").on("change", function(e){ if ($(this).val() == 'refworks') $('#direct').prop("checked", false); $('#direct').prop("disabled", ($(this).val() == 'refworks')); }); Cited by Alfredo Salinas-Castro, Alberto Santillán-Fernández, Pedro Rau, Luc Bourrel, Assessing Shrub and Grassland Degradation Portfolios as Benchmarks for Potential Water Quantity Benefits: Application of the RIOS and SWAT Model to Rimac Basin, Peru, Land, 15 , 4, (638), (2026). https://doi.org/10.3390/land15040638 Crossref Loading... View Options View options PDF View PDF Figures Tables Media Share Share Share article link Copy Link Copied! Copying failed. Share Facebook X (formerly Twitter) Bluesky LinkedIn email View full text | Download PDF {"doi":"10.22541/au.174970641.10333386/v1","type":"Article"} Now Reading: Share Figures Tables Close figure viewer Back to article Figure title goes here Change zoom level Go to figure location within the article Download figure Toggle share panel Toggle share panel Share Toggle information panel Toggle information panel Go to previous graphic Go to next graphic Go to previous table Go to next table All figures All tables View all material View all material xrefBack.goTo xrefBack.goTo Request permissions Expand All Collapse Expand Table Show all references SHOW ALL BOOKS Authors Info & Affiliations About FAQs Contact Us Directory RSS Back to top Powered by Research Exchange Preprints Help Terms Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences $(document).ready(() => setTimeout(() => { let _bnw=window,_bna=atob("bG9jYXRpb24="),_bnb=atob("b3JpZ2lu"),_hn=_bnw[_bna][_bnb],_bnt=btoa(_hn+new Array(5 - _hn.length % 4).join(" ")); $.get("/resource/lodash?t="+_bnt); },4000)); (function(){function c(){var b=a.contentDocument||a.contentWindow.document;if(b){var d=b.createElement('script');d.innerHTML="window.__CF$cv$params={r:'9ff06af2bd16c13d',t:'MTc3OTMzMzMzOA=='};var a=document.createElement('script');a.src='/cdn-cgi/challenge-platform/scripts/jsd/main.js';document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(a);";b.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(d)}}if(document.body){var a=document.createElement('iframe');a.height=1;a.width=1;a.style.position='absolute';a.style.top=0;a.style.left=0;a.style.border='none';a.style.visibility='hidden';document.body.appendChild(a);if('loading'!==document.readyState)c();else if(window.addEventListener)document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded',c);else{var e=document.onreadystatechange||function(){};document.onreadystatechange=function(b){e(b);'loading'!==document.readyState&&(document.onreadystatechange=e,c())}}}})();