CLIMATE CHANGE IN A RURAL ANDEAN COMMUNITY

Abstract

This research presents a study conducted in the Peruvian Andes in 2011 regarding the correlation between climatic factors including mean temperature (°C), mean maximum temperature (°C), mean minimum temperature (°C), humidity (%), mean precipitation in (mm), mean evaporation in (mm) and crop output in tonnes per hectare of potato, corn, wheat, beans, barley and olluco. This research aims at combining several key aspects related to climate change in order to provide an holistic account of the implications on a rural Andean community. The current research is based on five key elements; socio-economic context, global context of climate change, structured surveys ( interviews) from the field (research area), basic and long term climate trends and SPSS analysis regarding correlation between climate parameters and crop output of the last 10 agricultural campaigns (2000-2010). The conclusions provided in this research aim at answering questions regarding correlation between climate factors and crop output in tonnes per hectare, adaptation and mitigation strategies as well as climate and crop trends in general in the area of study. The current study aims to provide both quantitative and qualitative aspects related to climate change within the area of investigation.