Lake Titicaca may be in trouble

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Lake Titicaca may be in trouble

• Julie Andersen
• Central Michigan University
• Summer II 2003

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Where is Lake Titicaca located?

• Lake Titicaca is located along the borders of
  Bolivia and Peru in South America
• The nearest city is the port city of Puno

3
What does it look like?
4
What is the history of Lake Titicaca?

• The lake was formed from water from the Ice Age
  called Lake Bolivian.
• Lake Titicaca is known as The Sacred Lake.
• Inca legend claims that the first Inca rose from
  its waters and went on to lead the Inca Empire.

5
History continued

• These ancient cultures saw the lake as an inland
  sea that was connected to the ocean.
• Offerings are still made to the lake today.
• It is believed that she still has close
  connections with mountain deities and brings
  water to the area.

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Facts about Lake Titicaca

• Lake Titicaca is located 3,820 meters (12,530
  feet) above sea level.
• It is the second largest freshwater lake in south
  America.
• It covers 3,500 miles2 or 8,300 km2.
• The average depth is around 100 meters with its
  deepest point being 281 meters.

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Who lives on Lake Titicaca?

• The Uros people live on Lake Titicaca.
• They create floating islands make of tightly
  woven totora reeds to live on.
• Canoes and houses are also built from these
  reeds.
• Some of these floating islands are as big as half
  a football field.

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They live on reed mats?
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Who lives on Lake Titicaca? cont

• The Uros settled on the lake originally to
  protect themselves from the Incas and Collas.
• These were rival tribes.
• The simple diet of most reed island dwellers is
  fish and potatoes.

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What are the problems on Lake Titicaca?

• Over fishing
• Growing Tourism
• Pollutants and Sewage

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Over fishing

• Commercial fishing in the area has created a
  shortage of food resources for the Uros people.
• Due to the lack of food and poverty levels many
  people have had to move to Punos.

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Tourism

• Tourism is allowed on almost all of the reed
  islands today.
• The locals believe in communal tourism.
• Communal Tourism is practiced when tourists are
  invited to share the food, homes, customs, and
  traditions of the locals.

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Pollution and sewage

• Manufacturing industry and shipping routes are
  the main cause of pollution in Lake Titicaca.
• Raw sewage is being dumped into the lake from the
  city of Puno.
• Pesticides are running off into the lake from
  nearby farms.

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How are these pollutants affecting the Uros?

• The drinking water is now very polluted.
• The infant mortality rate has increased on the
  islands.
• The heath concerns have increased especially for
  children under 5.

15
How are these pollutants affecting the lake and
environment?

• The fish are dying out from the pesticides.
• The Totora reeds are not growing to size required
  to make the islands.
• The reeds are being killed by the sewage.
• Duckweed has caused an enormous environmental
  disturbance.

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What is duckweed?

• Duckweed is an invasive species whose overgrowth
  is caused by pollutants.
• It creates a layer over the water which the suns
  rays can not penetrate.
• The overgrowth of duckweed has already killed
  much of the lakes flora and fauna.

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Is there any hope for the future?

• YES!!
• Environmental groups have recognized the problems
  and are now creating solutions to help heal the
  lake.
• A GEF Biodiversity Project was started in the
  early 90s to protect its fragile ecosystem.
• The Uros are also helpful in the protection of
  the lake.

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Where was this topic researched?

• http//news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/07/07
  03_030703_laketiticaca.html
• http//www.crystalinks.com/laketiticaca.html
• http//peru-travel.com/Lake_titicaca_information.h
  tm
• http//www.peru-travel-adventures.com/lake-titicac
  a.html
• http//www.tribes.co.uk/Pe_H_Titicaca.htm
• http//www.ladatco.com/Titi-gate.htm