Alejandra G. Martínez

Coastal wetlands located in seismic regions can be highly vulnerable to soil liquefaction, a phenomenon where saturated, loosely compacted soils temporarily lose strength during earthquakes. This study investigates the relationship between soil liquefaction and the dynamics of coastal wetlands along the left bank of the Pisco River in Peru, a region affected by the 2007 Pisco earthquake. Through geotechnical field tests, satellite image analysis, and local interviews, we identified that wetlands and their adjacent areas – often with shallow groundwater and sandy soils – present high susceptibility to liquefaction. Affected wetlands showed both negative impacts, such as ground subsidence and vegetation loss, and in some cases, post-seismic ecological recovery due to groundwater rise. The results confirm that even degraded or filled wetlands retain subsurface characteristics prone to liquefaction, extending risk zones up to approximately 200 meters beyond current water boundaries. These findings highlight the dual role of wetlands as both vulnerable ecosystems and natural indicators of geotechnical risk. Future research should focus on integrating wetland conservation into seismic risk management and land-use planning. Recognizing the geotechnical memory of these ecosystems is key to avoiding infrastructure damage and promoting more resilient coastal development in earthquake-prone areas.

Coastal wetlands located in seismic regions can be highly vulnerable to soil liquefaction, a phenomenon where saturated, loosely compacted soils temporarily lose strength during earthquakes. This study investigates the relationship between soil liquefaction and the dynamics of coastal wetlands along the left bank of the Pisco River in Peru, a region affected by the 2007 Pisco earthquake. Through geotechnical field tests, satellite image analysis, and local interviews, we identified that wetlands and their adjacent areas – often with shallow groundwater and sandy soils – present high susceptibility to liquefaction. Affected wetlands showed both negative impacts, such as ground subsidence and vegetation loss, and in some cases, post-seismic ecological recovery due to groundwater rise. The results confirm that even degraded or filled wetlands retain subsurface characteristics prone to liquefaction, extending risk zones up to approximately 200 meters beyond current water boundaries. These findings highlight the dual role of wetlands as both vulnerable ecosystems and natural indicators of geotechnical risk. Future research should focus on integrating wetland conservation into seismic risk management and land-use planning. Recognizing the geotechnical memory of these ecosystems is key to avoiding infrastructure damage and promoting more resilient coastal development in earthquake-prone areas.

Coastal wetlands located in seismic regions can be highly vulnerable to soil liquefaction, a phenomenon where saturated, loosely compacted soils temporarily lose strength during earthquakes. This study investigates the relationship between soil liquefaction and the dynamics of coastal wetlands along the left bank of the Pisco River in Peru, a region affected by the 2007 Pisco earthquake. Through geotechnical field tests, satellite image analysis, and local interviews, we identified that wetlands and their adjacent areas – often with shallow groundwater and sandy soils – present high susceptibility to liquefaction. Affected wetlands showed both negative impacts, such as ground subsidence and vegetation loss, and in some cases, post-seismic ecological recovery due to groundwater rise. The results confirm that even degraded or filled wetlands retain subsurface characteristics prone to liquefaction, extending risk zones up to approximately 200 meters beyond current water boundaries. These findings highlight the dual role of wetlands as both vulnerable ecosystems and natural indicators of geotechnical risk. Future research should focus on integrating wetland conservation into seismic risk management and land-use planning. Recognizing the geotechnical memory of these ecosystems is key to avoiding infrastructure damage and promoting more resilient coastal development in earthquake-prone areas.

Coastal wetlands located in seismic regions can be highly vulnerable to soil liquefaction, a phenomenon where saturated, loosely compacted soils temporarily lose strength during earthquakes. This study investigates the relationship between soil liquefaction and the dynamics of coastal wetlands along the left bank of the Pisco River in Peru, a region affected by the 2007 Pisco earthquake. Through geotechnical field tests, satellite image analysis, and local interviews, we identified that wetlands and their adjacent areas – often with shallow groundwater and sandy soils – present high susceptibility to liquefaction. Affected wetlands showed both negative impacts, such as ground subsidence and vegetation loss, and in some cases, post-seismic ecological recovery due to groundwater rise. The results confirm that even degraded or filled wetlands retain subsurface characteristics prone to liquefaction, extending risk zones up to approximately 200 meters beyond current water boundaries. These findings highlight the dual role of wetlands as both vulnerable ecosystems and natural indicators of geotechnical risk. Future research should focus on integrating wetland conservation into seismic risk management and land-use planning. Recognizing the geotechnical memory of these ecosystems is key to avoiding infrastructure damage and promoting more resilient coastal development in earthquake-prone areas.

By developing a conceptual framework that integrates the use of fire in agricultural activities, the occurrence of wildfires, and the perception of wildfire risk, this article examines the interplay among these three elements within both wet and dry Puna grasslands. The analysis focuses on two peasant and agropastoral communities, Vilcabamba and Apachaco, both located in the Cusco region—an area with the highest incidence of wildfires in Peru. This study highlights the sociocultural significance and persistence of agricultural burnings within Puna agropastoral communities and the necessity of considering changes in agricultural activity, mutual aid systems, and communal institutions—particularly regarding land ownership—to understand the factors contributing to wildfire occurrence. Furthermore, it reveals the widespread recognition of wildfire risk among community members, who are acutely aware of both the likelihood and potential severity of wildfire events, while governmental policies aimed at addressing this hazard predominantly focus on raising awareness and enforcing bans on agricultural burning, with limited consideration of these complex sociocultural dynamics.

By designing a conceptual framework that intertwines the use of fire in agricultural activities, the occurrence of wildfires, and the perception of wildfire risk, this article analyses the relationship between these three elements in both wet and dry Puna grasslands. It focuses on two peasant and agropastoral communities, Vilcabamba and Apachaco, both located in Cusco, the region with the highest number of wildfires in Peru. This study highlights the sociocultural significance and persistence of agricultural burnings in Puna agropastoral communities; the necessity of considering changes in agricultural activity, mutual aid systems, and communal institutions—especially concerning land ownership—to explain the occurrence of wildfires; and the widespread perception of wildfire risk among community members, who are aware of the likelihood and severity of wildfire events, while government policies to address this hazard focus primarily on raising awareness and prohibiting burnings.

Soils are a valuable renewable resource on human timescales, and they interact with distinctive grassland ecosystems characterized by unique biodiversity and essential provision of ecosystem services, such as water supply and carbon sequestration. However, knowledge of the effects of wildfires on soil properties and nutrient availability in the Andes remains limited. Andean grasslands are currently one of the ecosystems of the Peruvian Andes most affected by wildfires. Our objective is to analyze the effect of fire activity on the physicochemical properties of soil and analyze its social context in Cusco, in the southern Andes of Peru. Soil samples were collected during five periods, spanning both the dry and rainy seasons, to characterize changes in soil properties and monitor vegetation recovery post-fire in two local communities dedicated to livestock activities. The vegetation restored after the wildfire was measured by the “step transect” method. Post-fire changes in soil properties indicate slight increases in pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium during the onset of the rainy season; thereafter, a gradual reduction in these values was observed. This reduction can be attributed to leaching associated with the seasonal rainfall and runoff regime. Our findings indicate that one-year post-fire, the biomass in burned areas is reduced to 30–46% of the biomass in unburned areas. A complete regeneration is likely to occur in up to 4 years; this assertion is supported by the perceptions of the affected population, as expressed in interviews conducted in the two farming communities. These results are significant for decision-makers formulation of policies and regulations regarding grasslands and their seasonal restoration.

The soils represent a valuable renewable resource on human timescales and interact with distinctive grassland ecosystems characterized by their elevated biodiversity and essential provision of ecosystem services, such as water supply and carbon sequestration. However, knowledge concerning the effects of wildfires on soil properties and nutrient availability remains limited in the Andes. Andean grasslands currently stand as ecosystems most affected by wildfires in the Peruvian Andes. Our objective is to analyze the effect of fire activity on soil physicochemical properties and analyze its social context in Cusco, situated in the southern Andes of Peru. Five soil samples were collected during both the dry and rainy seasons to characterize changes in soil properties. Additionally, the vegetation restored after the wildfire was analyzed. Changes in soil properties subsequent to the fire indicate slight increases in pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium during the onset of the rainy season; thereafter, a gradual reduction in these values was observed. This reduction can be attributed to the seasonal rainfall and runoff regime contributing to the leaching process. Our findings suggest that the complete regeneration of vegetation following a wildfire may require approximately four to five years. This assertion is supported by the perceptions of the affected population, as revealed through interviews conducted within two local farming communities. These results hold significance for decision-makers in formulating policies and regulations regarding grasslands and their seasonal restoration.