Andean Lakes: a proposal for lake districts

Abstract

The Andes, the world’s longest mountain system (8500 km), harbour important headwater systemsthat constitute crucial water resources for South America. Their complex topography significantlyinfluences climate and hydrology. The Andes have a wide diversity of aquatic environments, with>5000 lakes (>0.1 km2, permanent and excluding constructed reservoirs) with differentmorphometry, including the largest and the deepest in South America (Titicaca and Viedma,respectively). We applied a grouping analysis based on available systematised information todelimit different lake districts along the Andes. More than 60% of the surface area of all Andeanlakes is concentrated in only 9 large lakes, and >80% of the lakes are <1 km2. This analysisproposes 11 lake districts, including 2 in the North Andes, 6 in the Central Andes, and 3 in theSouth Andes. Each lake district is described based on the different morphologies, geologicalorigins, climatic factors, and available limnological information. We believe this study willbenefit not only scientists but also decision-makers and stakeholders working in integratedwater resource management in a region subject to climate change and socioeconomic inequalities.