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FABIAN DRENKHAN -

FABIAN DRENKHAN -

FABIAN DRENKHAN -

Doktoratsprogramme der MNF. Fachrichtung: Geography/Earth Systems Sciences, UNIVERSIDAD DE ZURICH

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Diplom-Geograph (MSc.) (UNIVERSIDAD DE STUTTGART-ALEMANIA)

Diplomado en Geografía
DOCENTE CONTRATADO - CONTRATADO
Docente a tiempo completo (DTC)
Departamento Académico de Humanidades - Sección Geografía y Medio Ambiente

Investigaciones

Se encontraron 19 investigaciones

2026 - 2030

Unlocking local knowledge production for global water reanalysis

Global freshwater systems are critically threatened by environmental change and over-exploitation, stressing the need for novel, transformative solutions. Because of the diversity and complexity of social-hydrological systems, such solutions need to be informed by solid scientific evidence as well as tailored to local realities, knowledge, and practices. The current generation of reanalysis systems struggle to produce evidence that is accurate, tailored, and actionable at the local scale. We will develop a transformational framework to support local knowledge coproduction and its integration, together with existing and other emerging data sources, in global water system models. We will focus on three knowledge sources that are currently underrepresented in global models: nonstatutory monitoring, citizen observations, and local knowledge. Leveraging state-of-the-art technologies such as semantic data models and machine learning, we will develop novel knowledge integration workflows, with explicit tracking of epistemic and aleatoric uncertainties. Using a flexible modeling approach, we aim to produce a simulation system blueprint that is optimized for local and regional action, including the identification and prioritization of local knowledge gaps. This poses challenges not only of an ambitious scientific and technical nature but also in facilitating uptake, replication, and long-term sustainability. We have assembled a world-leading, interdisciplinary team and a global network of pilot sites to achieve this, by producing transdisciplinary science, developing transferable and scalable tools, and nurturing a global community of practice. If successful, it can produce a paradigm shift in data collection and knowledge co-production for freshwater reanalysis and its use.

Participantes:

  • FABIAN DRENKHAN - (Investigador principal)
  • Ana Mijic (Co-Investigador)
  • Athanasios Paschalis (Investigador principal)
  • Ben Moseley (Co-Investigador)
  • Boris Ochoa (Investigador principal)
  • Bramha Vishwakarma (Investigador principal)
  • Katya Perez (Co-Investigador)
  • Patricio Crespo (Investigador principal)
  • Rossella Arcucci (Co-Investigador)
  • Samuel Agyei-Mensah (Co-Investigador)
  • Sara Bonetti (Investigador principal)
  • Seifu Tilahun (Investigador principal)
  • Wouter Buytaert (Investigador principal)
  • SOFIA AMELIA CASTRO SALVADOR (Co-Investigador)

Instituciones participantes:

  • ATUK Strategic Consulting - ATUK (Financiadora)
  • IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON - Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (Financiadora)
  • International Institute of Science Bangalore - IISc (Financiadora)
  • International Water Management Institute - IWMI (Financiadora)
  • PONTIFICIA UNIVERSIDAD CATOLICA DEL PERU - Centro de Investigación en Geografía Aplicada (Financiadora)
  • Schmidt Sciences - Virtual Institute for Earths Water (VIEW) (Financiadora)
  • Swiss Federal Technology Institute of Lausanne - EPFL (Financiadora)
  • UNIVERSIDAD DE CUENCA - Departamento de Recursos Hídricos (Financiadora)
  • University of Cyprus - UCyprus (Financiadora)
  • University of Ghana - UGhana (Financiadora)
2025 - 2029

AguaSegura: Understanding and advancing climate change adaptation for water security in the Andes of Peru

Los impactos del cambio climático, entre ellos considerablemente el retroceso glaciar, afectan la escorrentía y la calidad del agua. Por un lado, el drenaje ácido de roca deteriora gravemente el ciclo de agua, lo que afecta a las personas y los ecosistemas. En combinación con una gobernanza débil, fuertes desigualdades sociales y una demanda creciente de agua, las comunidades - a menudo marginadas - se enfrentan a riesgos cada vez mayores y una creciente inseguridad hídrica. Frente a ello, las investigaciones existentes suelen ser fragmentadas y estar desconectadas de la toma de decisión y necesidad locales. Este proyecto ofrece un marco transdisciplinario impulsado por universidades interesadas en tender puentes entre la ciencia y la política. Un grupo de investigadores de la Universidad de Zurich, Suiza y la Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú analizará en conjunto con socios en el área de estudio diversas capacidades locales y estrategias de adaptación viables y localmente relevantes en respuesta al cambio climático para mejorar la seguridad hídrica a largo plazo. Este proyecto aborda tres paquetes de trabajo (PTs) interconectados que serán abordados de manera conjunta en estrecha colaboración entre la PUCP, UZH y socios locales. El PT1 busca cuantificar los impactos hidroclimáticos y socioeconómicos en un contexto del derretimiento glaciar. El PT2 analiza los factores que limitan el diseño y la implementación de estrategias de adaptación en un contexto de seguridad hídrica. Finalmente, mediante la integración de los modelos hidroclimáticos y económicos con conocimientos locales, el proyecto busca comprender los impactos sobre el agua y los límites de la adaptación, para diseñar estrategias de adaptación eficaces y localmente relevantes conjuntamente con las comunidades locales (PT3).

Participantes:

  • Christian Huggel (Investigador principal)
  • Fiona Federer (Co-Investigador)
  • Randy Muñoz (Co-Investigador)
  • Veruska Muccione (Co-Investigador)
  • ISABEL GRACIELA GUERRERO OCHOA (Co-Investigador)
  • FABIAN DRENKHAN - (Investigador principal)
  • NATALY LEISEL FIGUERES LARA (Asistente)
  • GUILLERMO NICOLAS HERRERA ESPINOZA (Asistente)
  • EYVIND FRANCISCO HERRERA MORE (Asistente)
  • SOFIA AMELIA CASTRO SALVADOR (Co-Investigador)
  • CATHERIN NICOLE CARRASCO BARRETO (Asistente)

Instituciones participantes:

  • PONTIFICIA UNIVERSIDAD CATOLICA DEL PERU - Centro de investigación en Geografía Aplicada (Financiadora)
  • PONTIFICIA UNIVERSIDAD CATOLICA DEL PERU - Departamento Académico de Economía (Financiadora)
  • Swiss National Science Foundation - SNSF (Financiadora)
  • UNIVERSIDAD DE ZURICH - Departamento de Geografía (Financiadora)
2024 - 2028

ACCORD - Andean Climate Change - Observations, Research & Discovery

The Andes are particularly vulnerable to climate change given their role as a ¿water towers¿. In Argentina and Chile alone, more than 25 million people rely on water originating in the Andes. Yet, as noted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the current pace and scope of adaptation are insufficient and the IPCC therefore deemed the Andes as a ¿high risk¿ region for livelihood and economies, due to projected future water scarcity. At the same time, the Andes are also a unique scientific laboratory, extending over almost 9000 km from the tropics and subtropics to mid- and high-latitude climates with a profound impact on global hydroclimate and high-impact weather events, thereby providing a unique set of challenges for impacts analysis and adaptation. Reducing the uncertainty surrounding future climate change impacts in the Andes, therefore, constitutes a major scientific challenge, which demands a close collaboration among international networks focused on Andean climate change. To address this challenge, we have created the ACCORD network of networks. The overarching goal of ACCORD is to build the first multidisciplinary network of networks focused on climate change across the Andes by leveraging transdisciplinary expertise of scientists from the largest international networks to produce scientific breakthroughs that have hitherto been elusive due to their interdisciplinary nature and international scope. ACCORD is funded by the NSF AccelNet program. ACCORD will also contribute to training the next generation of scientists that are capable of addressing scientific grand challenges, by involving students and early career scientists in our project. They will be exposed to interdisciplinary research abroad, help organize an international online seminar series, and participate in international summer schools and a high-resolution climate modeling workshop.

Participantes:

  • FABIAN DRENKHAN - (Miembro)
  • Maria Laura Bettolli (Miembro)
  • JHAN CARLO ESPINOZA VILLAR (Miembro)
  • Wouter Buytaert (Miembro)
  • Thomas Condom (Miembro)
  • Siyao Du (Miembro)
  • Rodolfo Iturraspe (Miembro)
  • Robert Deconto (Miembro)
  • Raymond Bradley (Miembro)
  • Randy Muñoz (Miembro)
  • Omar López (Miembro)
  • Meghan Taylor (Miembro)
  • Mathias Vuille (Investigador principal)
  • Mariano Masiokas (Miembro)
  • Anaïs Zimmer (Miembro)
  • Kristen Rasmussen (Co-Investigador)
  • Keith Alverson (Miembro)
  • Jeremy Ely (Miembro)
  • Jeffrey McKenzie (Miembro)
  • Fabien Anthelme (Miembro)
  • Carolina Adler (Miembro)
  • Bryan Mark (Co-Investigador)
  • Bethan Davies (Miembro)
  • Antoine Rabatel (Miembro)
  • Anna Stewart (Miembro)
  • Anil Mishra (Miembro)
  • Andrés Rivera (Miembro)

Instituciones participantes:

  • COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY - Department of Atmospheric Science (Financiadora)
  • National Science Foundation - NSF (Financiadora)
  • PONTIFICIA UNIVERSIDAD CATOLICA DEL PERU - Geografía y Medio Ambiente (Financiadora)
  • THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY - Department of Geography (Financiadora)
  • University at Albany - Department of Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences (Financiadora)
2026 - 2027

Key risk hotspots in the deglaciating Peruvian Andes: livelihoods and water governance under water quality deterioration

A growing number of catchments in the deglaciating Andes of Peru is exposed to acid rock drainage (ARD) with severe implications for water quality, public health, and rural livelihoods. Despite its relevance, ARD remains poorly addressed in scientific research and public policy, and little is known about how biophysical, socioeconomic, and governance factors interact and determine ARD risks. This project proposes an integrated framework to analyze ARD dynamics and implications for downstream communities in the glacierized Negro River catchment (Cordillera Blanca, Peru), combining field-based monitoring with participatory research and governance analyses. To achieve this, four interlinked work packages (WP) will guide this investigation. WP1 monitors seasonal surface water quality through field campaigns and produces interpolated maps available on an interactive open-access platform. WP2 assesses how ARD affects local livelihoods using surveys, interviews, and the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach to understand impacts at community level. WP3 investigates how multiactor and multilevel water governance regimes influence ARD responses through stakeholder interviews and document analysis. WP4 integrates outputs from the previous WPs to identify key risk hotspots of ARD by developing and applying a conceptual model based on catchment features, water quality data, livelihood impacts, and governance factors. This project aims to establish a baseline and conceptual model for future research in ARD affected catchments in the Andes and to strengthen South¿North collaboration. The project therefore contributes to the International Year of Glaciers' Preservation (2025) and the Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences by generating actionable knowledge on glacier retreat and its cascading social-ecological impacts.

Participantes:

Instituciones participantes:

  • PONTIFICIA UNIVERSIDAD CATOLICA DEL PERU - Centro de investigación en Geografía Aplicada (Financiadora)
  • UNIVERSIDAD DE ST. GALLEN - Leading House for the Latin American Region (Financiadora)
  • UNIVERSIDAD DE ZURICH - Departamento de Geografía (Financiadora)
  • UNIVERSIDAD PERUANA CAYETANO HEREDIA - Laboratorio de Ecotoxicología (Financiadora)
2024 - 2027

Ecohidrología y Gobernanza Hídrica en las Fuentes de Agua de la Ciudad de Lima

Este proyecto piloto tiene como objetivo principal comprender el funcionamiento ecohidrológico y el sistema de gobernanza hídrica en un contexto de seguridad hídrica en la microcuenca de Carhuayumac, ubicado dentro del territorio de la Comunidad Campesina de San Pedro de Casta, provincia de Huarochirí en Lima, caracterizada por una gestión comunitaria del agua y una tradición cultural alrededor del mismo que permanece a lo largo de los años, conocido como las ¿champerías¿ (fiestas del agua).

Participantes:

Instituciones participantes:

  • PONTIFICIA UNIVERSIDAD CATOLICA DEL PERU - Instituto de Ciencias de la Naturaleza, del Territorio y de Energías Renov(INTE) (Financiadora)
  • PONTIFICIA UNIVERSIDAD CATOLICA DEL PERU - Vicerrectorado de investigación (Financiadora)
2024 - 2025

The glacier-water-health nexus in the deglaciating Andes of Peru

Glacier retreat in the Andes of Peru has led to widespread downstream impacts affecting mountain water security of social-ecological systems. In some catchments, the retreat of ice and subsequent uncovering, weathering and mineral leaching of rocks and sediments can lead to considerable acidification of water bodies, a natural process commonly known as acid rock drainage (ARD). ARD can severely affect downstream biota and human health. However, this phenomenon has barely been investigated and not yet been included in public policies for adaptive water management. Until date, no systematic observations and process understanding exist in the Andes of Peru and beyond which disentangle the links between specific catchment characteristics, long-term glacier retreat, changes in water quality and impacts on human health. This case study addresses the glacier-water-health nexus in the peasant communities of Canray Grande and Cordillera Blanca in the Negro-Olleros river catchment (NORC, Cordillera Blanca - Peru). Therefore, an interdisciplinary team of early-career researchers at Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (PUCP) and Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (UPCH) will be using a diverse set of in-situ and remote sensing monitoring strategies, mapping and modelling techniques combined with qualitative assessments and participatory methods. Our research includes the following activities: (a) map geological and geomorphological units; (b) map multitemporal surface changes of glaciers and water bodies; (c) conduct quantitative and qualitative water quality analyses; (d) build a baseline of human health statistics; (e) propose feasible adaptation strategies; and (f) disseminate interactive results among stakeholders. The project aims to create locally and internationally relevant outcomes to improved understanding of climate change impacts in social-ecological systems and feasible long-term strategies for adaptive management and policy.

Participantes:

Instituciones participantes:

  • Mountain Research Initiative - Geo Mountains (Financiadora)
  • PONTIFICIA UNIVERSIDAD CATOLICA DEL PERU - CENTRO DE INVESTIGACIÓN EN GeografÍA APLICADA (CIGA) (Financiadora)
  • UNIVERSIDAD PERUANA CAYETANO HEREDIA - LAboratorio de ecotoxicología (Financiadora)
2022 - 2025

Deplete and Retreat: The Future of Andean Water Towers

Life on land depends upon freshwater. Mountains act as water towers, producing water by lifting moist air, and by providing temporary surface and below-ground storage of water for later release into rivers. These stores are particularly important in regions that experience seasonal droughts, as snow and ice melt can counteract reduced rainfall during dry spells. Two main natural depots of frozen water exist. Snow is a short-term store, delaying the release of water after snowfall on daily to seasonal timescales. Ice melt also releases water seasonally. However, glacier ice is a longer-term reservoir, storing water for decades to centuries. A similar behaviour can be observed in the non-frozen part of a mountain catchment. Stores such as wetlands, ponds and shallow below-ground flow provide short-term storage, while lakes and deeper groundwater show long-term release characteristics. The combination of these different processes determines the magnitude and behaviour of a mountain range's water tower function for the surrounding area. This is particularly important in the Andes, where some of the most important water towers of the globe are found. The human population in regions neighbouring the Andes depend on mountain water resources for drinking, food production and hydropower, as do animals and plant life. Unfortunately, human-induced climate change is altering the stores of water held in the Andes water towers. Greenhouse gas emissions mean that snow-bearing weather conditions are becoming less frequent, depleting the stocks of snow held in the mountains. The lack of replenishing snow, and increasing temperatures, are causing glaciers to lose the ice they store, retreating to the higher and colder portions of the mountains. In combination with climate change impacts on the rest of the catchment, this is contributing to water shortages across the Andes. Ongoing droughts are hitting high-population cities, where the concentration of people increases the demand for

Participantes:

  • FABIAN DRENKHAN - (Co-Investigador)
  • Bethan Davies (Co-Investigador)
  • Jeremy Ely (Investigador principal)
  • Jonathan Carrivick (Co-Investigador)
  • Julie Jones (Co-Investigador)
  • Sihan Li (Co-Investigador)
  • Tom Matthews (Co-Investigador)
  • Wouter Buytaert (Co-Investigador)

Instituciones participantes:

  • IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON - - (Financiadora)
  • KINGS COLLEGE LONDON - - (Financiadora)
  • NERCO-UKRI - - (Financiadora)
  • PONTIFICIA UNIVERSIDAD CATOLICA DEL PERU - - (Financiadora)
  • Universidad de Leeds - - (Financiadora)
  • Universidad de Newcastle - - (Financiadora)
2024

Mountain water security risks - glacier retreat driven deteriorating water quality

El retroceso glaciar en los Andes del Perú está generando una serie de impactos que afectan a la seguridad hídrica de los sistemas socioecológicos aguas abajo. Las investigaciones desarrolladas en cuencas en proceso de desglaciación se han centrado mayormente en estudiar los cambios en la disponibilidad de agua, pero se sabe poco sobre los impactos en la calidad del agua. La fusión y erosión glaciar expone a las rocas, como la pirita, lo que facilita la meteorización y el proceso de oxidación y liberación de aguas ácidas y elementos tóxicos. En este estudio de caso, se exploran los principales riesgos para la seguridad hídrica y las estrategias de adaptación utilizadas por los pobladores frente al deterioro de la calidad del agua provocado por el retroceso glaciar en la cuenca del río Negro (Ancash - Perú). Para ello, se desarrollarán clases didácticas basadas en materiales teóricos y de campo, incluyendo el trabajo colaborativo con comunidades y la gobernanza del agua en la región andina. Esta línea de base de conocimiento coproducida puede representar una referencia para la planificación de la gestión integral del agua y la toma de decisiones para garantizar la seguridad hídrica a largo plazo y el desarrollo de estrategias de adaptación eficaces y robustas frente a los crecientes riesgos hidrológicos en cuencas en proceso de desglaciación.

Participantes:

  • SOFIA AMELIA CASTRO SALVADOR (Co-Investigador)
  • Eyvind Herrera More (Asistente)
  • Martín Leyva Molina (Co-Investigador)
  • FABIAN DRENKHAN - (Investigador principal)
  • NATALY LEISEL FIGUERES LARA (Asistente)
  • CHRISTIAN EDUARDO FERNANDEZ DAVILA (Asistente)

Instituciones participantes:

  • Mountain Research Inititative - CLOC Conectate Andes (Financiadora)
  • PONTIFICIA UNIVERSIDAD CATOLICA DEL PERU - CENTRO DE INVESTIGACIÓN EN GEOGRAFÍA APLICADA (CIGA) (Financiadora)
  • UNIVERSIDAD PERUANA CAYETANO HEREDIA - Facultad de Ciencias y FilosofíA (Financiadora)