Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve

Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve
IUCN category II (national park)

Rock formations at Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve

Location of Salinas y Aguada Blanca in Peru

Location Part of the regions of Arequipa and Moquegua, Peru
Area 25 km²
Established 09 August 1979
Governing body SERNANP

Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve is a protected area located in the regions of Arequipa and Moquegua; Peru. The main purpose of this area is to protect the local flora, fauna and landscape formations.[1]

History

The area was declared a national reserve on 09 August 1979 by decree N° 070-79-AA.[1] Salinas y Aguada Blanca was designated as a Ramsar site in 2003.[1]

Geography

Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve is located in the provinces of Caylloma and Arequipa in the region of Arequipa; and in the province of Sanchez Cerro in the region of Moquegua.[1] It spans an area of 366,936 hectares (3,669.36 km2)[1] which covers the headwaters of important local rivers like Yura and Chili.[2]

The landscape features high Andean plateaus dotted by lakes and meadows; and surrounded by volcanoes like Ubinas, Misti, Pichu Pichu and Chachani in the southwest and by mounts Chuccura and Huarancante in the north.[1] Although initially declared an area with the aim to protect local camelids, it has since become a protected water source for the city of Arequipa.[1] Precipitation carried by the eastern winds is captured by the local vegetation and stored in the lakes, meadows and soil; thus giving a valuable environmental service to the region.[1]

The reserve is populated to some extent; most of its territory belongs to thirteen peasant communities and more than 100 private smallholders recognized by law.[1]

Ecology

The area is representative of the puna ecosystem.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "De Salinas y Aguada Blanca - Servicio Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas por el Estado". www.sernanp.gob.pe (in Spanish). Retrieved 2016-11-19.
  2. 1 2 Plan Maestro de la Reserva Nacional de Salinas y Aguada Blanca 2006-2011 (PDF) (in Spanish). SERNANP. 2006.

Further reading

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Coordinates: 16°06′08″S 71°13′08″W / 16.1021°S 71.219°W / -16.1021; -71.219


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