Lachay National Reserve

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Lachay National Reserve
Reserva Nacional de Lachay
IUCN category VI (protected area with sustainable use of natural resources)
Lomas Lachay 1.jpg
Wet season at Lachay.
Map showing the location of Lachay National Reserve
Map showing the location of Lachay National Reserve
Location Peru
Lima Region
Nearest cityHuacho
Coordinates11°21′30″S 77°22′10″W / 11.35833°S 77.36944°W / -11.35833; -77.36944Coordinates: 11°21′30″S 77°22′10″W / 11.35833°S 77.36944°W / -11.35833; -77.36944
Area5,070 ha (19.6 sq mi)
EstablishedJune 21, 1977
Visitors30,000 visitors/year [1] (in annual estimate)
Governing bodySERNANP
WebsiteReserva Nacional de Lachay (in Spanish)

Lachay National Reserve (Spanish: Reserva Nacional de Lachay) is a protected area in the region of Lima, Peru.[2] The reserve is located 105 kilometres (65 mi) north from the Peruvian capital, Lima, and protects part of the lomas ecosystem.[2]

Climate[]

Climate at the reserve is typical of the lomas: there is a wet season, from June to October (when vegetation develops) and a dry season from January to May (when the landscape is barren).[2][3]

Ecology[]

The lomas ecosystem consists of areas of coastal desert, mostly hills, that receive enough moisture during winter for plant life to thrive, unlike the drought conditions in summer[3] (except for some El Niño events, that bring rains in the summer).[4]

Flora[]

Among the native plant species present in the park are: Tara spinosa, Vasconcellea candicans, Ismene amancaes, Verbena litoralis, Vachellia macracantha, Heliotropium arborescens, Armatocereus matucanensis, etc.[2][4]

Fauna[]

Typical landscape at Lachay in winter.

Some birds found in the reserve are: the vermilion flycatcher, the Andean tinamou, the American kestrel, the burrowing owl, etc.[5]

Some mammals found here are: the Sechuran fox, the white-tailed deer, the Pampas cat, the puma, etc.[5]

Archaeology[]

Pre-columbian archaeological remains have been found in the reserve such as: man-made terraces, cave paintings, tombs and pieces of pottery.[6][2]

Recreation[]

The main activities in the reserve are birdwatching and hiking.[2] Campsites in the reserve have some amenities like picnic tables, outhouses, parking spots, etc.[2]

Environmental issues[]

The main environmental issues that threat the integrity of the reserve are: unregulated tourism, firewood extraction, cattle grazing, illegal mining (construction materials), four-wheel drive vehicles outside authorized roads, garbage (not only from visitors, but also from people who toss out garbage from vehicles on the Pan-American highway nearby), invasive species (including stray dogs) and archaeological looting.[7]

References[]

  1. ^ "Lachay National Reserve - Park Profile - Threats". www.parkswatch.org. Retrieved 2018-11-07.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "De Lachay - Servicio Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas por el Estado". www.sernanp.gob.pe (in European Spanish). Retrieved 2018-11-07.
  3. ^ a b "Lachay National Reserve - Park Profile - Geography". www.parkswatch.org. Retrieved 2018-11-07.
  4. ^ a b Cano, Asunción; Roque, José; Arakaki, Mónica; Arana, César; Torre, María La; Llerena, Nelly; Refulio, Nancy (2014). "Diversidad floristica de las lomas de Lachay (Lima) durante el evento "El Niño 1997-98"". Revista Peruana de Biología (in Spanish). 6 (3): 125–132. doi:10.15381/rpb.v6i3.8438. ISSN 1727-9933.
  5. ^ a b "Lachay National Reserve - Park Profile - Biodiversity". www.parkswatch.org. Retrieved 2018-11-07.
  6. ^ "Registro Percepcion arte rupestre Quebrada Palo Lachay Peru". www.rupestreweb.info (in Spanish). Retrieved 2018-11-07.
  7. ^ "Lachay National Reserve - Park Profile - Threats". www.parkswatch.org. Retrieved 2018-11-08.

External links[]

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