Surface temperature variability in a tropical Andean summit: influence of ENSO, elevation, and slope direction

María Paula Rivera Reyes; Benjamín Quesada; Jorge Hernan Jacome Reyes; Juan Carlos Benavides Duque; Adriana Sánchez

doi:10.1088/2515-7620/addc40

Surface temperature variability in a tropical Andean summit: influence of ENSO, elevation, and slope direction

Título traducido de la contribución: Variabilidad de la temperatura superficial en una cumbre andina tropical: influencia del ENSO, la altitud y la orientación de la pendiente.

María Paula Rivera Reyes, Benjamín Quesada, Jorge Hernan Jacome Reyes, Juan Carlos Benavides Duque, Adriana Sánchez

Producción: Contribución a una revista › Artículo › revisión exhaustiva

Resumen

Los ecosistemas andinos tropicales son fundamentales para la conservación de la biodiversidad y la regulación del agua. El cambio climático está afectando estos ecosistemas, pero la investigación en zonas de alta montaña sigue siendo escasa. Nuestro objetivo es comprender las complejas relaciones entre la temperatura superficial y las estaciones, el fenómeno de El Niño-Oscilación del Sur (ENSO), la altitud y la orientación de la pendiente, utilizando nuevos datos de monitoreo in situ en el norte de América del Sur (específicamente, el Parque Nacional El Cocuy, Colombia).

Analizamos datos horarios de temperatura superficial registrados entre 2011 y 2019 en cuatro cumbres entre 4050 y 4400 m de altitud, recolectados con termómetros automáticos como parte de la red GLORIA Andes (Iniciativa Global de Observación en Ambientes Alpinos). Además, evaluamos las tendencias y diferencias de temperatura en relación con la altitud, la estación, la pendiente y ENSO.

Contrario a otros resultados regionales, el calentamiento superficial en estas cumbres no aumentó con la altitud, es decir, no se encontró evidencia local de calentamiento dependiente de la elevación (EDW). Aún más, las temperaturas mínimas y máximas mostraron tendencias opuestas: en la menor altitud ambas aumentaron con el tiempo, mientras que en la mayor altitud las mínimas aumentaron y las máximas disminuyeron. También se observó que las elevaciones más bajas se calentaron más rápido durante la estación seca.

Las temperaturas superficiales se correlacionaron débilmente con el Índice Oceánico de El Niño (ONI) y con otros índices de El Niño (1+2, 3 y 4). Dado que el índice ONI refleja los efectos tanto de El Niño como de La Niña, observamos que durante eventos de La Niña hubo un aumento significativo del calentamiento en las temperaturas mínimas y un enfriamiento en las temperaturas máximas en la altitud más alta.
La orientación de la pendiente también jugó un papel importante. Contrario a otros estudios, las tendencias de temperatura mínima en las pendientes expuestas a los vientos predominantes (noreste) fueron significativamente más cálidas que en las pendientes a sotavento (más frías).
Estos hallazgos subrayan la necesidad de continuar con la investigación y el monitoreo para entender mejor la variabilidad y heterogeneidad del microclima en estas regiones montañosas complejas. Tales esfuerzos son esenciales para mejorar la precisión de los modelos climáticos y para guiar una gestión efectiva de los recursos naturales ante el cambio climático.

Título traducido de la contribución	Variabilidad de la temperatura superficial en una cumbre andina tropical: influencia del ENSO, la altitud y la orientación de la pendiente.
Idioma original	Inglés
Número de artículo	061002
Páginas (desde-hasta)	1-13
Número de páginas	13
Publicación	Environmental Research Communications
Volumen	7
N.º	6
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1088/2515-7620/addc40
Estado	Publicada - 04 jun. 2025

Palabras clave

Colombia
Temporada seca
Calentamiento dependiente de la altitud
El Niño
Glaciar
Microclima
Páramo

ODS de las Naciones Unidas

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10.1088/2515-7620/addc40

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Evaluación de interacciones planta-planta en ecosistemas de páramo y sus implicaciones en la respuesta de la vegetación a un cambio climático.
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@article{0e494b17d8594b2d98356275ddd1b4f3,

title = "Surface temperature variability in a tropical Andean summit: influence of ENSO, elevation, and slope direction",

abstract = "Tropical Andean ecosystems are critical for biodiversity conservation and water regulation. Climate change is affecting these ecosystems, but research at high altitudes is still scarce. We aim to understand the complex relationships between surface temperatures and seasons, El Ni{\~n}o Southern Oscillation phenomenon (ENSO), elevation, and slope direction, using novel in situ monitoring data in Northern South America (i.e., Cocuy National Park, Colombia). We analyzed hourly surface temperature data recorded from 2011 to 2019 at four summits between 4050 and 4400 m elevation, collected using selflogging thermometers as part of the Global Observation Research Initiative in Alpine Environments (GLORIA) Andes network. Furthermore, we assessed temperature trends and differences in relation to elevation, season, slope, and ENSO. Contrary to other regional results, surface warming in these summits did not increase with altitude i.e., no local evidence of elevation-dependent warming (EDW). Even more, minimum and maximum temperatures exhibited contrasting trends: minimum and maximum temperatures increased over time at the lowest elevation, while minima increased and maxima decreased at the highest elevation. Also, lower elevations warmed faster during the dry season. Surface temperatures were weakly correlated with the Oceanic Ni{\~n}o Index (ONI), and the other El Ni{\~n}o indices(1+2, 3 and 4). Given that the ONI index reflects both the effects of El Ni{\~n}o and La Ni{\~n}a, we observed that during La Ni{\~n}a there was a significant intensification of warming for minimum temperatures and cooling for maximum temperatures at the highest elevation. Slope orientation played an important role. Contrary to what other studies have found, minimum temperature trends on slopes exposed to predominant winds(i.e., northeasterlies)were significantly different (warmer) from the leeward slopes(cooler). These findings underscore the need for continued research and monitoring to better understand microclimate variability and heterogeneity in these complex topographic regions. Such efforts are essential for improving climate model accuracy and guiding effective natural resource management in the face of a changing climate.",

keywords = "Colombia, Temporada seca, Calentamiento dependiente de la altitud, El Ni{\~n}o, Glaciar, Microclima, P{\'a}ramo",

author = "\{Rivera Reyes\}, \{Mar{\'i}a Paula\} and Benjam{\'i}n Quesada and \{Jacome Reyes\}, \{Jorge Hernan\} and \{Benavides Duque\}, \{Juan Carlos\} and Adriana S{\'a}nchez",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2025 The Author(s). Published by IOP Publishing Ltd.",

year = "2025",

month = jun,

day = "4",

doi = "10.1088/2515-7620/addc40",

language = "English",

volume = "7",

pages = "1--13",

journal = "Environmental Research Communications",

issn = "2515-7620",

publisher = "IOP Publishing Ltd.",

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TY - JOUR

T1 - Surface temperature variability in a tropical Andean summit

T2 - influence of ENSO, elevation, and slope direction

AU - Rivera Reyes, María Paula

AU - Quesada, Benjamín

AU - Jacome Reyes, Jorge Hernan

AU - Benavides Duque, Juan Carlos

AU - Sánchez, Adriana

PY - 2025/6/4

Y1 - 2025/6/4

N2 - Tropical Andean ecosystems are critical for biodiversity conservation and water regulation. Climate change is affecting these ecosystems, but research at high altitudes is still scarce. We aim to understand the complex relationships between surface temperatures and seasons, El Niño Southern Oscillation phenomenon (ENSO), elevation, and slope direction, using novel in situ monitoring data in Northern South America (i.e., Cocuy National Park, Colombia). We analyzed hourly surface temperature data recorded from 2011 to 2019 at four summits between 4050 and 4400 m elevation, collected using selflogging thermometers as part of the Global Observation Research Initiative in Alpine Environments (GLORIA) Andes network. Furthermore, we assessed temperature trends and differences in relation to elevation, season, slope, and ENSO. Contrary to other regional results, surface warming in these summits did not increase with altitude i.e., no local evidence of elevation-dependent warming (EDW). Even more, minimum and maximum temperatures exhibited contrasting trends: minimum and maximum temperatures increased over time at the lowest elevation, while minima increased and maxima decreased at the highest elevation. Also, lower elevations warmed faster during the dry season. Surface temperatures were weakly correlated with the Oceanic Niño Index (ONI), and the other El Niño indices(1+2, 3 and 4). Given that the ONI index reflects both the effects of El Niño and La Niña, we observed that during La Niña there was a significant intensification of warming for minimum temperatures and cooling for maximum temperatures at the highest elevation. Slope orientation played an important role. Contrary to what other studies have found, minimum temperature trends on slopes exposed to predominant winds(i.e., northeasterlies)were significantly different (warmer) from the leeward slopes(cooler). These findings underscore the need for continued research and monitoring to better understand microclimate variability and heterogeneity in these complex topographic regions. Such efforts are essential for improving climate model accuracy and guiding effective natural resource management in the face of a changing climate.

AB - Tropical Andean ecosystems are critical for biodiversity conservation and water regulation. Climate change is affecting these ecosystems, but research at high altitudes is still scarce. We aim to understand the complex relationships between surface temperatures and seasons, El Niño Southern Oscillation phenomenon (ENSO), elevation, and slope direction, using novel in situ monitoring data in Northern South America (i.e., Cocuy National Park, Colombia). We analyzed hourly surface temperature data recorded from 2011 to 2019 at four summits between 4050 and 4400 m elevation, collected using selflogging thermometers as part of the Global Observation Research Initiative in Alpine Environments (GLORIA) Andes network. Furthermore, we assessed temperature trends and differences in relation to elevation, season, slope, and ENSO. Contrary to other regional results, surface warming in these summits did not increase with altitude i.e., no local evidence of elevation-dependent warming (EDW). Even more, minimum and maximum temperatures exhibited contrasting trends: minimum and maximum temperatures increased over time at the lowest elevation, while minima increased and maxima decreased at the highest elevation. Also, lower elevations warmed faster during the dry season. Surface temperatures were weakly correlated with the Oceanic Niño Index (ONI), and the other El Niño indices(1+2, 3 and 4). Given that the ONI index reflects both the effects of El Niño and La Niña, we observed that during La Niña there was a significant intensification of warming for minimum temperatures and cooling for maximum temperatures at the highest elevation. Slope orientation played an important role. Contrary to what other studies have found, minimum temperature trends on slopes exposed to predominant winds(i.e., northeasterlies)were significantly different (warmer) from the leeward slopes(cooler). These findings underscore the need for continued research and monitoring to better understand microclimate variability and heterogeneity in these complex topographic regions. Such efforts are essential for improving climate model accuracy and guiding effective natural resource management in the face of a changing climate.

KW - Colombia

KW - Temporada seca

KW - Calentamiento dependiente de la altitud

KW - El Niño

KW - Glaciar

KW - Microclima

KW - Páramo

UR - https://doi.org/10.1088/2515-7620/addc40

U2 - 10.1088/2515-7620/addc40

DO - 10.1088/2515-7620/addc40

M3 - Article

SN - 2515-7620

VL - 7

SP - 1

EP - 13

JO - Environmental Research Communications

JF - Environmental Research Communications

IS - 6

M1 - 061002

ER -

Surface temperature variability in a tropical Andean summit: influence of ENSO, elevation, and slope direction

Resumen

Palabras clave

ODS de las Naciones Unidas

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Evaluación de interacciones planta-planta en ecosistemas de páramo y sus implicaciones en la respuesta de la vegetación a un cambio climático.

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