Biodiversity in Peru

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Biodiversity in Peru

Information and figures you should know

WHY INVEST IN PRESERVING BIODIVERSITY IF THERE ARE OTHER URGENT ISSUES IN HEALTH, EDUCATION, SECURITY, AMONG OTHERS?

NATURAL AND CULTURAL RICHNESS

  • Peru is the point of origin and diversification of species, as well as cultivated varieties of global importance and their wild relatives.
  • Over 65% of agriculture depends on native genetic resources, which are critical for food security.
  • A total of 2.2 million rural families live off family agriculture.
  • We have thousands of varieties and types of native crops.
  • Knowledge and technology related to agro-biodiversity crops.
  • Wild ecosystems, forests, natural pastures, Peru’s sea.
  • Renewable natural resources, environmental services and components of biodiversity contribute to +20% of the national GDP.
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WHY INVEST IN PRESERVING BIODIVERSITY IF THERE ARE OTHER URGENT ISSUES IN HEALTH, EDUCATION, SECURITY, AMONG OTHERS?

  • Most of the poorest rural population depends on the health and productivity of ecosystems for their food and daily budget.
  • Biodiversity is key to reducing vulnerability to climate change and to developing new products.
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PERU, MEGADIVERSE COUNTRY 

Peru is one of the so-called megadiverse countries that, as a whole, is home to 70% of the planet’s biodiversity.


BIODIVERSITY IN FIGURES

  • The vascular flora of Peru comprises 19,147 species, 7590 of which are endemic.
  • First in butterfly diversity with 4441 species.
  • Third bid diversity with 1857 species.
  • Sixth reptile diversity worldwide with 469 species.
  • Fourth in mammal diversity with 559 species.
  • Third in amphibian diversity with 623 species.
  • Total of 1141 species of freshwater fish.
  • Total of 1090 species of saltwater fish.
  • There are 500 species of ornamental fish with great socioeconomic potential.
  • Peru is among the five countries with the greatest primate diversity, with 56 registered species.
  • Peru is home to the world’s largest orchid, called Inkill (Sobralia altissima), which grows up to 13.4 m in height and only in
  • the forest Bosque Nublado Amaru, located in the department of Huancavelica.
  • We are also home to approximately 2700 species of orchids with a high level of endemism; over 800 species only grow in Peru.
  • Peru is the second country with the largest portion of the Amazon rainforest.
  • The Peruvian Amazon comprises around 76% of the national territory.
  • Over 300,000 indigenous people and 51 ethnic groups live in the Amazon.
  • 17.3% of the national territory is considered a Protected Natural Area.

PERU'S SEA

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    Tropical Sea
    Between El Ñuro (Piura) and Punta Sal (Tumbes), you can find the most important area of our coastline because of its biodiversity and because it is the home of endangered species such as the Pacific goliath grouper (Epinephelus quinquefasciatus) and the Spondylus limbatus.
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    Cold Sea
    It is one of the most productive seas in the world, where the richness and abundance of species, such as anchovy (Engraulis ringens), benefit the country’s economy.
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    System of Currents
    Peruvian or Humboldt current, ocean current, Peruvian counter-current and Peruvian underwater or subsurface current. Number of saltwater fish species: 1090.
  • Turismo y Observación de Aves
    Tourism and Bird Watching
    Peru is one of the most visited destinations in Latin America by bird watchers. The potential it has as a destination for this type of tourism is enormous, and it is necessary to take advantage of it, as it is an activity that generates a significant flow of income. The avifauna and marine mammals are one of the major attractions on the coast.
  • Humedales en el Perú
    Wetlands in Peru
    Wetlands represent around 14% of the national territory. Their preservation is fundamental to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Wetlands help absorb rainwater, reduce floods, and delay the onset of droughts and help mitigate them.
  • Frutos Amazónicos
    Amazonian Fruits

    Amazonian fruit beverages such as camu and aguaje have a high concentration of vitamin C, which helps strengthen the immune system and increase iron absorption. The abundance of Amazonian fruits has great potential for the development of its people and for improving the diet of all of Peru.

Fauna

ANDEAN BEAR
 

YELLOW-TAILED WOOLLY MONKEY
 

ANDEAN CAT
 

COASTAL HILLS

Lomas costeras
  • Coastal hills are seasonal ecosystems with unique plant formations, distributed along the Peruvian coast, mainly in desert environments. They are found on slopes facing the sea, favored by the condensation of the fog that appears due to the thermal inversion phenomenon and the Humboldt current, brought by the south-southwest winds. The coastal hills are an important source of ecosystem services, such as a source and reservoir of important genetic resources, soil formation and pollination.
  • These ecosystems host a significant number of endemic species, making them unique and singular places. Among the most representative species, we have the Amancaes Flower and the Wild Potato, among others. Some of these are endangered species, as is the case of the Chilca cactus or the Tenuis cactus.
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  • The coastal hills are an important resource for the population in terms of ecotourism, enabling the development of recreational and sustainable activities, such as bird watching or hiking.
  • To highlight the environmental and sociocultural importance of these ecosystems for our society, the Metropolitan Municipality of Lima—through the Regional Government Program of Metropolitan Lima and with the technical advice of SERNANP—is in the process of creating the Regional Conservation Area (RCA) “Sistemas de Lomas de Lima” (System of Hills of Lima), which covers approximately 13,476.65 ha, (an area equivalent to 13 times the total area of the district of Miraflores or 25 times the total area of the district of Jesús María), distributed throughout different districts of Lima such as Ancón, Carabayllo, Rímac, San Juan de Lurigancho, Villa María del Triunfo and La Molina. The ACR seeks to contribute to its conservation and recovery, as well as to establish a strategy to adapt to climate change.
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GENETIC RESOURCES AND BIODIVERSITY

THE USE OF GENETIC RESOURCES IN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, THROUGH THEIR LEGAL ACCESS, IS A VALUABLE TOOL FOR:

  • To value biodiversity and increase the competitiveness and diversification of productive sectors and activities.
  • To contribute to the preservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and the well-being of the local populations.
GENETIC RESOURCES AND BIOSECURITY
  • Peru has five Internationally Recognized Certificates of Compliance (IRCC) for access to genetic resources and their derivatives, which provide greater transparency and legal security for both suppliers and users of genetic resources.
  • Peru has an invaluable source of genetic resources with potential for the biotechnological sector and for industry.
  • Peru implements, at a national level, rules for access to our genetic resources and for the fair and equitable distribution of the benefits derived from the access to genetic resources, a mechanism known as “ABS” (Access and Benefit-Sharing).
  • ABS has two goals: (1) to promote the conservation of our biological diversity; and (2) the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits derived from the utilization of genetic resources.
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Corn

  • Peru, along with Mexico, is a point of origin and diversification of corn.
  • Corn is the grain with the highest production volume worldwide, surpassing wheat and rice.
  • The genetic diversity of corn is divided into varieties. In Peru, there are 52 varieties of corn, and Lambayeque has the highest number of them (18 varieties).

COTTON

  • The cotton species with the finest fiber in the world is cultivated in Peru.
  • Cotton with fibers of different colors (brown, dun, green, violet, cream) were used by pre-Incan cultures for textiles and fishing nets.
  • Peru has a cotton species in danger of extinction (Gossypium raimondii).

POTATO

  • Potatoes are cultivated in 20 of the 24 departments of Peru, from sea level to 4200 MAMSL.
  • Peru has around 4000 varieties of this ancient food that has saved humanity from famine throughout history.
  • This tuber is an emblematic crop for Peru and the world.
  • If we eat a different variety of potato every day, it would take us more than ten years to try all the ones in Peru.
  • Potatoes are the third most important food crop in the world. Over 7000 years ago, ancient settlers began to domesticate them in the surroundings of Lake Titicaca.

COASTAL MARINE BIODIVERSITY AND SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

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Diversidad biológica marino costera y turismo sostenible
  • The coastal marine environment of Lima is affected by the cold waters of the Humboldt Current, one of the most productive marine ecosystems on the planet, where the main species is the anchovy (Engraulis ringens). This has caused most species of marine birds and mammals to depend on it to a large extent, as they have specialized it in their diet.
  • The coastal marine biodiversity of the department of Lima is protected in the country’s best-preserved places, such as protected natural areas. You can find eight protected areas or places of national importance, seven of which belong to the Reserva Nacional Sistema de Islas, Islotes y Puntas Guaneras, and the remaining one is the Refugio de Vida Silvestre Los Pantanos de Villa (Lima)
  1. Punta Litera (Paramonga).
  2. Islas Don Martín (Huaura).
  3. Punta Salinas, Islas Mazorca y Huampanú (Huaura).
  4. Isla Pescadores (Ancón).
  5. Islas Cavinzas y Palominos (Callao).
  6. Islas Pachacamac (Lurín).
  7. Isla Asia (Cañete).
  8. Refugio de Vida Silvestre Los Pantanos de Villa (Lima).
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  • Around 6000 sea lions (one of the largest populations of sea lions in the central coast) live in Islas Cavinzas and Palomino, in front of the port of Callao. This has made these islands the second destination for marine tourism in Peru, which can be easily accessed.
  • In Isla Pescadores, one hour north of Lima, you can find one of the highest concentration of seabirds on the coast. There are up to 300 thousand birds of the following species: guanay, Peruvian booby and Peruvian pelican, which during the reproductive period offer one of the most impressive wildlife shows.
  • In Islas Pachacamac, south of Lima, you can find one of the highest concentration of Humboldt penguins on the central coast, with approximately two thousand penguins
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  • In the Refugio de Vida Silvestre de los Pantanos de Villa, you can find the best spot to watch shorebirds and wetland birds. Here, you can watch large flocks of birds—between 15 and 20 thousand—during the months of November and December, that arrive from the northern hemisphere to stay in the RVSPV or to make a stop in order to continue their journey towards the south of Peru.
  • A total of 210 species of birds are registered in the Pantanos de Villa (including migratory, resident and occasional entries). Migratory birds can even be subdivided according to their place of origin: North America, South America, the Andes and local. This wetland is also the habitat of plants and/or animals when they are at a critical stage of their biological cycle.
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MOST IMPORTANT CHARACTERISTICS OF SOME SELECTED MARINE SPECIES

COMMON NAME
SCIENTIFIC NAME		 MOST IMPORTANT
CHARACTERISTICS		 RELATED
IMAGE
HUMBOLDT PENGUIN
SPHENISCUS HUMBOLTI		 CHARACTERISTICS
  • A penguin is a bird that lives both on land and in water. Like all birds, it is covered with feathers. It cannot fly but it is an excellent swimmer and diver.
  • It can dive up to 30 m to get their food (fish). It is the deepest-diving bird in the Peruvian sea.
  • It is a highly threatened species, so it is included in CITES Appendix I and CMS Appendix I.
  • It feeds mainly on anchovy and Peruvian silverside.
HABITAT AND DISTRIBUTION
  • It is endemic to the Humboldt current.
  • It is distributed along Peru and Chile. It exists in the National Reserves: Paracas, San Fernando and the Guano Islands, Islets, and Capes National Reserve System.
  • Penguins share their habitat with other endangered species such as guano birds, Peruvian diving petrels, sea otters, sea lions, among others.
  • Penguins nest in burrows that they dig in the guano. In the past, guano beds were exploited until they were exhausted, endangering the existence of this species. However, the Peruvian Government has taken measures to recover these vital spaces and ensure their survival. ECOLOGICAL ROLE
  • Penguins occupy the upper levels of the food chain because they are fish predators, so they are good indicators of the conservation status of the marine ecosystem. They have a wide geographical distribution and constitute an important part of the marine environment.
  • Other important data:
  • As it is a charismatic species and lives in protected natural areas, it can become an attraction for nature tourism.
SEAHORSE
HIPPOCAMPUS INGENS		 CHARACTERISTICS
  • Seahorses have a horse-shaped head, and their body and tail are covered with concentric bone rings. Colors include black, gray, brown, red and yellow. Seahorses camouflage with their surrounding environment.
  • The scientific name derives from the Greek hippos “horse” and campus “sea monster”.
HABITAT AND DISTRIBUTION
  • Seahorses live in tropical, warm and shallow waters around reefs, sea grasslands and mangroves, using their prehensile tail to hold onto plants, corals, gorgonians or sponges. Their habitat ranges from the United States to southern Peru.
ECOLOGICAL ROLE
  • Seahorses generally live in tropical seas with a temperature ranging from 24 to 27 degrees Celsius. When there are temperature changes, seahorses are so sensitive that they disappear.
  • The importance of this species lies in its sensitivity, used as a bioindicator of healthy waters. It can be determined that water parameters such as oxygen level and temperature are appropriate when their presence is confirmed.
  • Other important facts:
  • Due to its beauty, the seahorse is a victim of illegal trafficking, being commercialized as an ornament. In China, it is used as an aphrodisiac, endangering its survival.
SMOOTH HAMMERHEAD SHARK
SPHYRNA ZYGAENA		 CHARACTERISTICS
  • It has a characteristic hammer-shaped head.
  • Many populations are in danger of extinction due to illegal fishing.
HABITAT AND DISTRIBUTION
  • The smooth hammerhead lives along the entire Peruvian coast.
ECOLOGICAL ROLE
  • As a predator, its presence is key to ecosystem balance, controlling the population size of those species it feeds on.
  • Its presence indicates a good conservation state of the marine ecosystem.
CHILEAN DEVIL RAY
MOBULA TARAPACANA		 CHARACTERISTICS
  • The rays or manta rays of the Mobula genus, especially the Chilean Devil ray, are targets for fishing as a result of the international trade of their gill rakers. These large, migratory rays are inherently vulnerable to overexploitation due to their low productivity and gregarious behavior.
  • If insufficiently supervised and unregulated, extensive fishing puts both populations and potential associated tourism at high risk.
  • It is a threatened species, included in CITES Appendix I and CMS Appendix II.
  • Dry gills can be sold for hundreds of dollars per kilo, being highly sold worldwide as a Chinese medicinal tonic.
  • Researchers have calculated that the number of devil rays of this type in gill markets nearly tripled between 2011 and 2013.
HABITAT AND DISTRIBUTION
  • Their distribution covers the area of the Tropical Pacific Sea (Piura – Tumbes) and the southern end of Peru (Tacna).
ECOLOGICAL ROLE
  • Many people do not know much about manta rays since there are not many studies on them. Much of a manta ray’s life cycle is a big mystery, although we know that they live in tropical waters and consume large amounts of food every day.
HUMPBACK WHALE
MEGAPTERA NOVAENGLIAE		 CHARACTERISTICS
  • It is a robust cetacean with an average length of 15 meters for males and 19 meters for females.
  • Its average weight ranges from 30 to 40 tons. The humpback whale is called as such because of the “hump” that forms when submerged, in front of its small, low, fleshy dorsal fin that can be triangular or falcate, located on the rear third of its back.
HABITAT AND DISTRIBUTION
  • Cosmopolitan species found in all oceans; they cover thousands of kilometers with their very marked migration routes that often lead to the whales closer to the coast. They also travel in deep waters during migration.
  • Humpback whales are found in coastal or continental plate waters at high latitudes in summer; they feed in the cold and productive waters of the Southern Ocean. In winter, they migrate to breeding areas in tropical and subtropical waters.
ECOLOGICAL ROLE
  • When the whales feed at great depths and then return to the surface to breathe, they alter the water column, allowing nutrients and microorganisms to expand. In addition, iron and nitrogen in their urine and feces serve as fertilizers for plankton.
  • Many whales travel great distances to mate, carrying those nutrients. Even their placenta can provide important raw materials for other organisms.
  • Dead whales are also helpful. When a whale dies, the body sinks to the bottom of the sea, serving as food for a unique scavenger ecosystem; some of these creatures do not exist anywhere else.
LEATHERBACK SEA TURTLE
DERMOCHELYS CORIACEA		 CHARACTERISTICS
  • It is the largest sea turtle in the world, the deepest-swimming and most widely distributed species. It is the only sea turtle without a hard shell. Its common name in English means “leather back”, which refers to soft skin without plates, similar to the leather that covers it.
  • The skin is soft, black and speckled with white; the ratio of light and dark pigments is variable. The forelimbs are very developed and do not have nails.
  • It measures 1.20 m – 1.30 m, and weighs 250 kg – 500 kg.
HABITAT AND DISTRIBUTION
  • They live in the oceans from the USA to Chile, but this is not due to abundance, but because they travel long distances to thrive.
ECOLOGICAL ROLE
  • Sea turtles have played an important role in maintaining the health of the world oceans for more than 100 million years. These functions range from the productive maintenance of coral reef ecosystems to the transport of essential nutrients from the oceans to coastal beaches and dunes.
SOUTH AMERICAN FUR SEAL
ARCTOCEPHALUS AUSTRALIS		 CHARACTERISTICS
  • The South American fur seal is a species of mammal typical of South America.
  • There are evident differences between males and females. While males are 2 m in length and weigh up to 200 kg, females are a maximum of 1.50 m in length and weigh no more than 60 kg.
  • When they are resting on land, they prefer rocky areas where they can protect themselves from the sun. They are very good climbers.
HABITAT AND DISTRIBUTION
  • They live along rocky coasts in countries such as Uruguay, Argentina, Chile and Peru. They live throughout South America's Pacific and Atlantic coasts.
  • They are gathered in colonies far from humans during reproduction periods. In Peru, they have been recorded up to the central Peruvian coast.
ECOLOGICAL ROLE
  • In addition to the intrinsic value of their existence and natural beauty, these predators play a key role in marine ecosystem balance.
  • They regulate the populations of their prey, which in turn regulate those of lower levels in the food chain. Removal of the predator may lead to an imbalance that sometimes causes the disappearance of the original ecosystem.

“THE MOST NUTRITIOUS” INITIATIVE

CAÑIHUA KIWICHA TARWI GOLDEN BERRY MACA
The seeds have a high protein content for diets low in meats. The seeds have a high protein content for diets low in meats. It had an important role in the pre-Inca and Inca diet. It has high levels of vitamins A and C, besides antioxidant qualities, so it has been attributed with several benefits for human health. Maca is typical of the Andes and has been cultivated from pre-Inca times until now.
It has a balance of essential amino acids, especially rich in lysine, isoleucine and tryptophan. It has a balance of essential amino acids, especially rich in lysine, isoleucine and tryptophan. It has a balance of essential amino acids, especially rich in lysine, isoleucine and tryptophan. The golden berry is a low-calorie fruit, so it can be eaten at any time of the day. The edible part of the plant is the root, which measures from 4 to 7 cm in length, in a conical shape similar to a radish.
It is recommended to lower cholesterol, to counteract altitude sickness and to treat dysentery. This grain is rich in proteins and vitamins, which makes it a great food product. It is used for rheumatic pain, arthritis, gout, swellings, neuralgia, kidney and liver pains; it is also used against dandruff, hair loss and constipation. It may be eaten fresh or used to make drinks, desserts, sauces, ice cream, jams, among others, although the dried fruit is the most exported commercial product. Its nutritional value is very high, especially due to its protein and iron content. It plays an important role in the daily life of Andean populations due to its medicinal properties and its use as an energizer. Currently, it is an important export product.

PERUVIAN SPECIES PRESENT AT THE PAN AMERICAN GAMES

SPECIES SCIENTIFIC NAME RELATED SPORTS RELATED NPAs (NATURAL PROTECTED AREAS) MAIN FACTS REFERENCE IMAGE DISTRIBUTION COUNTRIES
Humboldt Penguin Spheniscus humboldti
  • RNSIIPG (Guano Islands, Islets, and Capes National Reserve System)
  • RNP (Paracas National Reserve)
  • RNSF (San Fernando National Reserve)
  • ZRI (Illescas Reserved Zone)
  • Excellent diver.
  • It may dive up to 30 m into the sea searching for food.
  • Threatened by plastic.
  • Most numerous population is in Punta San Juan.
  • The body is hydrodynamic to swim underwater quickly with little resistance.
  • The feathers are arranged in such a way that they are waterproof and windproof.
  • Peru
  • Chile
Lesser rhea Rhea pennata
  • Vilacota Maure ACR (Regional Conservation Area)
  • An excellent runner.
  • It is the largest non-flying bird in the Americas and may run between 40 – 60 km/h.
  • It may measure up to 1.5 m high and weigh up to 30 kg.
  • It lives in the Bolivia, Chile, and Peru highlands (Puno, Moquegua, and Tacna).
  • It has long neck and legs. Its back and tail have many very long white and brown feathers.
  • Bolivia
  • Chile
  • Peru
Peruvian spider monkey Ateles chamek
  • RNPS (Pacaya Samiria National Reserve)
  • PNM (Manu National Park)
  • Matsés RN (National Reserve)
  • Tambopata RN
  • An emblematic species of the Amazon jungle.
  • "Maquisapas" live on trees and never go down to the ground. They live in the highest layers of the forest (70-90% of the time).
  • They can run up to 2055 meters per day, and they have sometimes run more than 4500 meters.
  • Their main characteristic is their long prehensile tail, which provides them with a tight grasp and is able to carry their entire body weight.
  • Bolivia
  • Brazil
  • Peru
Spectacled bear Tremarctos ornatus
  • PNM
  • Alto Mayo BP (Protected Forest)
  • Pampa Hermosa SN (National Sanctuary)
  • Cutervo PN
  • Tabaconas Namballe SN
  • Laquipampa RVS (Wildlife Refuge)
  • It represents strength and the ability to adapt to completely different habitats. They can inhabit dry forests and extremely humid páramo regions.
  • They have characteristically short legs and strong limbs, adapted for climbing trees and slopes.
  • They can weigh up to 200 kg and measure up to 2 m (standing).
  • Bolivia
  • Colombia
  • Ecuador
  • Peru
  • Venezuela
Pink river dolphin Inia geoffrensis
  • RNPS
  • Yaguas PN
  • Excellent swimmers.
  • They have a remarkable vision and an echolocation system, which they use to communicate with other dolphins and catch their prey.
  • They are at the top of the food chain.
  • A pink dolphin may measure up to 2.8 m and weigh up to 180 kg.
  • Brazil
  • Bolivia
  • Colombia
  • Ecuador
  • Peru
  • Venezuela
Bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus
  • RNSIIPG
  • RNP
  • RNSF
  • ZRI
  • They are extremely intelligent and agile. They are sociable and curious; they communicate through a complex sound and echolocation system.
  • One of their main characteristics is their synchronized swimming with other same-species individuals, making up groups of up to 30 dolphins.
  • They can reach 3.8 m in length and weigh up to 675 kg.
  • Argentina
  • Brazil
  • Chile
  • Colombia
  • Ecuador
  • Peru
  • Uruguay
  • Venezuela
Jaguar Panthera onca
  • RNPS
  • PNM
  • Matsés RN
  • Tambopata RN
  • Yaguas PN
  • The Americas' largest feline.
  • They are well-known for their bite force, which is extremely high in relation to their body mass.
  • They weigh an average of 60 – 70 kg, but they can reach 136 kg.
  • They can run at up to 80 km/h.
  • Brazil
  • Bolivia
  • Colombia
  • Ecuador
  • USA
  • Mexico
  • Peru
  • Venezuela