Llamas (Llama glama) enhance novel proglacial ecosystem development: an experimental approach in the Cordillera Blanca, Peru

Abstract

Abstract Worldwide, mountain glaciers are shrinking rapidly and projected to disappear largely by 2100. Consequently, large areas are becoming available for novel alpine ecosystems. These harsh environments, however, slow down primary succession. In this study with a local community, we conducted an inclusion experiment to investigate if and how Llama glama influences soils and vegetation primary succession following glacial retreat. At the foot of the Uruashraju glacier in the Cordillera Blanca, Peru (~ 4680 m.a.s.l.), we established four llama inclusion plots and four control plots that we studied from 2019 to 2022, 24–40 years after glacial retreat. After three years, the llama plots had significantly increased soil organic carbon and soil nitrogen. In the llama plots, we found a large, significant increase in vascular plant cover (+ 57%) between the second and third years of experimentation, and we identified four new species that were not present in 2019. Our results suggest that Llama glama, through their latrine behavior and role as a seed disperser, enhances the primary succession and novel ecosystem formation in recently deglaciated landscapes. Our study provides scientific support that rewilding of native Andean camelid may favor adaptation to glacier retreat and strengthen the conservation and management of novel proglacial ecosystems.