Mapping Three Decades of Changes in the Tropical Andean Glaciers Using Landsat Data Processed in the Earth Engine

The fast retreat of the tropical Andean glaciers (TAGs) is considered an important indicator climate change impact on tropics, since TAGs provide resources to highly vulnerable mountain populations. This study aims reconstruct glacier coverage TAGs, using Landsat time-series images from 1985 2020, by digitally processing and classifying satellite in Google Earth Engine platform. We used annual reductions Normalized Difference Snow Index (NDSI) spectral bands capture pixels with minimum snow cover. also implemented temporal spatial filters have comparable maps at a multitemporal level reduce noise inconsistencies. results analysis this confirm recent dramatic recession last three decades, base physical statistical significance. reduced 2429.38 km2 1409.11 between 1990 representing loss 42% total area. In addition, showed more significant losses altitudes below 5000 masl, differentiated changes slope, latitude, longitude. found percentage areas countries less coverage. multiannual validation accuracy values 92.81%, 96.32%, 90.32%, 97.56%, 88.54% for metrics F1 score, accuracy, kappa, precision, recall, respectively. are essential contribution understanding guiding policies mitigate potential negative freshwater shortage inhabitants food production region.