•  
  •  
 

Luke Davies

Abstract/Description

Driven by climate change, elevation-dependent warming (EDW) has become a critical issue in the Cordillera Blanca of Peru. This study focuses on gathering evidence of EDW and determining the relationship between El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events and micrometeorological forcing in two proglacial valleys. A climate monitoring network was maintained through a 20-year collaboration between Bridgewater State University (BSU), Universidad Nacional Santiago Antúnez de Mayolo (UNASAM), and the Autoridad Nacional de Agua (ANA). Fieldwork in June 2023 and June 2024 included repairing weather stations, installing Lascar sensors, and downloading data loggers to sustain and improve the climate record. Data analysis revealed that El Niño amplifies EDW which raises freezing level heights, hence accelerating glacial melt. These results provide evidence that informs climate resilience and adaptation strategies for mountain communities, particularly concerning water resources. This research acts as a catalyst for expanding efforts to address climate-related disparities in vulnerable and understudied regions globally.

Note on the Author

LUKE DAVIES graduated from BSU in the fall of 2024 with a B.S. in Geography along with two minors in Sustainability and Latin American Studies. Luke's work was supported by the Adrian Tinsley Program (ATP) research grant along with the NASA Massachusetts Space Grant Consortium, which funded two trips to Peru for fieldwork. Mentored by Dr. Robert Hellström (Geography), Luke's passion for climate studies seeks to inform a better understanding of the unique ways in which climate change is impacting glaciers and the vulnerable communities that depend on them. Luke has presented his work at several conferences, including both the American Association of Geographers' (AAG) Annual Meetings in 2024 and 2025 as well as the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions' (MACC) Annual Environmental Conference in which he received 2nd place in the Student Poster Competition. After graduating, Luke has been working as a research assistant for the BSU Sustainability Program and plans to seek a Ph.D. in Geography or Climatology to both continue and expand upon his work in Peru.

Rights Statement

Articles published in The Undergraduate Review are the property of the individual contributors and may not be reprinted, reformatted, repurposed or duplicated, without the contributor’s consent.

Download

Share

COinS