A centre for limnological training and research on Lake Titicaca and the aquatic ecosystems of the Peruvian Altiplano

Summary

Since 1981, an inter-university training programme in water quality and aquatic resource management has been undertaken by the Universidad Nacional Tecnica del Altiplano (UNTA), the University of British Columbia (UBC), and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). The objective is to develop a limnological training and research capability at UNTA which will assist in the training of Peruvians to provide effective solutions to water quality and water management problems throughout the Altiplano. As an initial focus for study, students on the UNTA/UBC/CIDA project have conducted thesis investigations on the effects of severe cultural eutrophication on the ecosystem of Puno Bay, Lake Titicaca. Preliminary results indicate a significant impact of eutrophication on all levels of the ecosystem — nutrients, phytoplankton, macrophytes, bacteria, zooplankton, benthos, fish and humans. A permanent centre for limnological training and research, the Instituto de Aguas Alto Andinas, will be located on the UNTA campus in Puno, Peru.