Biodiversity in Peru: characteristics and importance

Biodiversity in Peru: characteristics and importance

By Dr. Kyle Muller

Did you know that Peru is among the 10 countries with the greatest diversity of the land, that is, it is a megadiverse country? Characterized by the presence of various ecosystems and types of ecosystems that allow it to house a rich and varied biodiversity, Peru constitutes one of the most important megadiverse countries. Its biodiversity is reflected both in the gigantic number of species that inhabit it, as well as in the amazing diversity of resources and diversity of ecosystems that it houses. These potentialities of biodiversity in Peru entail a whole series of challenges to sustainably protect each and every one of its natural treasures.

Continue reading this Ecology Verde article to learn more surprising data about the Biodiversity in Peru, its characteristics and importance.

Biodiversity in Peru: characteristics, flora and fauna

The Flora and wildlife of Peru Each of the country’s corners flood of life and color. At present, Peru has 2 marine ecoregions and with 9 terrestrial ecoregions Well differentiated, according to the predominant bioma in each of them. Thus, each of these ecoregions presents a specific wild flora and fauna, which are adapted to live in a concrete ecoregion instead of doing so in another. Let’s look at some Examples of the flora and fauna of the ecoregions of Peru To know better his wonderful biodiversity. In addition, in some of these examples you will find links to Ecologiaverde articles that will help you expand this information.

  • Cold sea of ​​the Peruvian current: phytoplankton of the genus Endophyton – Blue whale (BALENAPTERA MUSCULUS).
  • Tropical Sea: Colorado mangrove (Rhizophora Mangle) – frigate bird (Magnificens furrow).
  • Coastal desert: air carnation (Tillandsia Latifolia) – Coast journey (genre Bothrops).
  • Equatorial Dry Forest: Algarrobo (Prosopis Pallida) – Colorado deer (Mazama Rufina).
  • Pacific tropical forest: American cedar (Cedrela Odorata) – Pacific howleler monkey (ALLOUATA PALLIATA).
  • SERRANÍA Esteparia: myth or Andean papaya (Carica Candicans) – giant armadillo (Maximus prixes).
  • Puna: Yareta (Compact Azorella) – Andean Condor (Vultur Gryphus).
  • Páramo: Páramo romero (Dipostephium rosmarinifolium) – giant picaflor (Patagona Gigas).
  • Yungas: Lobster clamp (Heliconia genre) – Peruvian rock cock (Rupícola Peruvianus).
  • Amazon: mahogany (Swietenia Macrophylla) – Jaguar (Panthera onca).
  • Sabana de Palmeras: Palmera Aguaje (Flexuosa Mauritia) – Tucán Esmeralda (Aulacorhynchus PRASINUS).

Biodiversity in Peru: characteristics and importance - Biodiversity in Peru: characteristics, flora and fauna

Importance of biodiversity in Peru

To get an idea of ​​the great ecological importance representing the gigantic and varied Biodiversity of PeruThen we show you concrete figures of the number of wild species of animals and plants that exist in this beautiful country:

  • Mammals: 460 species.
  • Birds: 1,700 species.
  • Reptiles: 365 species.
  • Amphibians: 315 species.
  • Fresh water fish: 1,064 species.
  • Angiosperms plants: 20,000 species.

Each and every one of these species of animals and plants comply with an important and characteristic role within the proper functioning of the ecosystem to which it belongs, both small and large -scale. Therefore, knowing, conserving and protecting the biodiversity of this megadiverse country are vital tasks, in which both populations and local governments and tourists must participate.

In the next sections we will see in detail the different risk sources to which the current biodiversity of Peru is exposed, as well as many of the main actions that must be carried out to protect such biodiversity.

Biodiversity risk factors in Peru

As we can imagine, the main factors that put animals and plants at risk in Peru They are due to the irresponsible action of human beings. These actions include:

  • Deforestation and uncontrolled logging.
  • Creation of monocultures and industrial agriculture with the consequent loss of wild flora and fauna.
  • Pollution and destruction of natural habitats.
  • Poaching and overfishing hunt. In these links you will find useful information on the causes and consequences of poaching and on the overexploitation of natural resources, their causes and consequences, such as overfishing or invasive mining farms.
  • Industries and mining linked to an invasive and severely harmful natural resources extraction.
  • Overpopulation and excessive growth of cities, thus fractioning the natural habitat of wild flora and fauna species.

Together with these anthropic activities that year after year they put the survival of thousands of animals and plants in Peru, various natural phenomena They also act by breaking the natural balance of the ecosystems in which they live. Among these natural agents that put the biodiversity of Peru at risk, the following stand out:

  • Earthquakes
  • Fires
  • Floods
  • Droughts
  • Phenomena of El Niño and the Girl.

Biodiversity in Peru: characteristics and importance - risk factors for biodiversity in Peru

How to keep biodiversity in Peru

At the time of fight the different factors that put the biodiversity of Peru at riskit is important to become aware of the conservation of such biodiversity and promote the creation of preventive measures.

Both to deal with those factors of anthropic and natural origin, on the one hand, it will be important to have a registration of the number and characteristics of the species that inhabit the region that is being affected, as well as having laws and projects that avoid damaging and destroying the most vulnerable natural areas to risk factors. On the other hand, assistance to Environmental Education Programsas well as the visit to Natural reserves and parksit will always be very helpful to know the flora and fauna they make of Peru, a rich and beautiful megadiverse country.

To have more ideas on how to conserve biodiversity in Peru, we recommend these other ecology articles about biodiversity: what is, types and importance and conservation and protection of the environment: importance and measures.

If you want to read more articles similar to Biodiversity in Peru: characteristics and importancewe recommend that you enter our biodiversity category.

Literature
  • Von May, et al., (2012) Research and conservation of biodiversity in Peru: importance of the use of modern techniques and efficient administrative procedures. Peruvian Biology Magazine, online versionVolume 19 (3).
  • Nemogá, GR (2013) Record of collective knowledge associated with biodiversity in Peru. Fund for the World Environment, GEF Project on access to genetic resources and distribution of benefits for Latin America and the Caribbeanpp: 2-17.
  • Álvarez, J. (2007) Local communities, conservation of the avifauna and biodiversity in the Peruvian Amazon. Peruvian Biology Magazine, online versionVolume 14 (1).
Kyle Muller
About the author
Dr. Kyle Muller
Dr. Kyle Mueller is a Research Analyst at the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department in Houston, Texas. He earned his Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from Texas State University in 2019, where his dissertation was supervised by Dr. Scott Bowman. Dr. Mueller's research focuses on juvenile justice policies and evidence-based interventions aimed at reducing recidivism among youth offenders. His work has been instrumental in shaping data-driven strategies within the juvenile justice system, emphasizing rehabilitation and community engagement.
Published in