Protected Natural Areas in Piura

 

Cerros de Amotape National Park

Location: Department of Tumbes and Piura
Area: 151.561 hectares.
Date Created: July 22, 1975.

 

It was established to protect the vast forests of the Cordillera de los Amotapes (Amotape Range) and adjacent valleys subject to intense extraction of forest species and valuable hardwoods like hualtaco and guayacán. Intangible conservation unit for the protection of equatorial dry forests. Also known as the "green desert" because throughout the year is dry and flourishes only rains in the summer months (January to March), causing a particular ecosystem. Located 90 km north of the city of Sullana (3 hours by car) and 129 km north of the city of Piura, to the village of El Papayo (checkpoint), gateway to the park in Piura area. The park is shared by the departments of Piura and Tumbes where it is easier to reach.

 

This area is recommended for birdwatchers, in the park is a large number of birds (about 400), of which 17 are threatened and 50 are endemic. Highlights include the White-winged Guan (Penelope albipennis), the Gray-backed Hawk (Leucopternis occidentalis), Gray-cheeked Parakeet (Brotogeris pyrrhopterus), the Blackish-headed Spinetail (Synallaxis tithys) and the Slaty Becard (Pachyramphus spodiurus).

Among the mammals are the howler monkey of Tumbes (Alouatta palliata), the neotropical otter (Lontra longicaudis), jaguar (Panthera onca) and ocelot (Leopardus pardalis). Among the highlights reptiles crocodile of Tumbes (Crocodylus acutus), which is in danger of extinction.

Among the flora are: the endemic kapok (Ceiba trichistandra), the carob tree (Prosopis pallida), the Angolo (Pithecellobium multiflorum), guayacán (Tabebuia sp. ) and palo santo (holy wood) (Bursera graveolens), the latter two very prized for their commercial value.

 

Its territory presents variable altitudes ranging from 200 m.a.s.l. to 1.613 m.a.s.l., and a landscape characterized by hills and mountains of the range La Brea or Amotape. With an average annual temperature of 24°C, the equatorial dry forest, has a high biodiversity among which species of flora unique as the hualtaco (Loxopterilium husango), palo santo (Bursera graveolens), and in animals the neotropical otter (Lontra longicaudis), the jaguar (Panthera onca) and puma (Felis concolor) endangered species, the giant anteater (Myrmecophaga trydactila), the Andean condor (Vultur gryphus), the gray deer, ocelot, red deer, the peccary, the Guayaquil squirrel, and more than 400 species of birds.

 

Among the most characteristic trees include the carob, hualtaco, charanes, sapodilla, guayacanes and pasallos. The wildlife is very rich in species representative of the tropical forest, arid zones and Andes Range.

 

The park is part of the Northwest Biosphere Reserve. Archeological sites of cultures Tumpis and Inca .

 

Climate: Dry and very warm with temperatures above 28°C. Rainy season between December and March that dramatically enhances the occasional phenomenon of El Niño. The ideal months to visit are from April to September.

 

Access and Services: There are several affirmed routes that go deep into the forest, starting from the cities of Piura and Tumbes, which is accessed by air or through the regular North Pan-American Highway. Recommend the use of 4x4 vehicles, the services of a local guide and supplied with water and food.

 

Length of Stay: We recommend three to four days, preferably evenly split between northern and southern sectors of the park.


Coto de Caza El Angolo

Location: Department of Piura, Province Sullana.
Area: 65,000 hectares.
Date Created: July 1, 1975.

 

Located 115 km north of the city of Sullana (3 hours in 4x4 vehicle) and 154 km from the city of Piura . Area of 65,000 hectares (of which only 10,200 are enclosed) that extends over part of the foothills of the Cordillera de los Amotapes (Amotape Range). The landscape is dominated by dry forest and a series of ravines and hills. The height varies from 540 m.a.s.l. in the village of El Angolo to the 1,613 m.a.s.l. at the summit of the hill Carrizal.

 

Home to varied fauna, highlighting 17 species of mammals such as deer, puma, wild cat, peccary, squirrel and giant anteater. There are 150 species of birds like the condor, king vulture, hawk, kestrel, mountain quail and doves, 13 species of reptiles, 7 amphibians and 10 fish. Among the flora and highlight the carob, faique, palo santo, almond, polopolo, the frejolillo, ceibo, sapodilla and the hualtaco. Hunting in the area is regulated and controlled.

 

This area also is included in the Northwest Biosphere Reserve, recognized as such by UNESCO since March 1, 1977.

 

The Northern Peru Birding Route

Few places on earth can match northern Peru for bird diversity. From the coast to the tropical lowlands the variety of ecosystems and birding destinations provides a near endless experience, which for most avid birders takes at least two trips to fully appreci-ate. The route traverses eight political departments from the coast, across the Andes and into the Amazon lowlands with: Tumbes, Piura, Lambayeque and La Libertad along the coast, then moving east we find Cajamarca, Amazonas, San Martin and finally Loreto. These eight departments alone hold some 1,600 bird species; approximately 85% of Peru´s c.1,840 species. This impressive diversity is coupled with an outstand-ing 140 restricted-range species, from 10 endemic bird areas. Not surprisingly such diversity and endemism is due to a complex combination of climatic factors; with the El Niño and Humboldt ocean currents influencing the coast, and topographical features; the relatively low altitude Andes and inter-Andean valleys such as the Marañón, Utcubamba and Huan-cabamba, and not forge¢ing the mega-diverse tropical lowlands. However some 75 species are globally threatened (plus c.50 near-threatened species) and the route provides an interesting insight into many local conservation initiatives working to protect these birds. (Map of Northern Birding Route).

 

 

Pacific Desert
Desert Pacific is the most widespread natural formation along the Peruvian coast. It is found from the department of Piura, north to Tacna, in the extreme south. Its climate is hot and humid in the summer during the winter, when there are frequent drizzle and thick cloud blocks out the sun. In some places, where the fog hit the hills, form a unique environment known as "lomas": true oasis of life in the desert that serve as shelter for a rich and varied flora and fauna. The winds are also important in this region, and reached its greatest intensity on the coast of the department of Ica, where they are known as Paracas. The terrain is mostly flat desert, with vast plains, areas of dunes and hills that rarely exceed 700 meters. The plant and animal life in this region is scarce, but the monotony of the plains of sand and rock is interrupted from stretch to stretch the fertile coastal valleys. A total of 52 rivers of the Pacific crossing the desert on their way to the ocean end, giving life to the land they bathe. Here the flora is represented by carob huarangos, cactus and Tillandsia. Among the typical animals include the coastal fox, the guanaco (one of two wild camelid species from Peru) and dozens of species of birds. The coastal rivers are lavish in shrimp and several species of fish.

 

The equatorial dry forest
Dry forest is known as a natural formation typical of the northern coast of predominantly plant species adapted to harsh desert conditions the carob and ceibos common in the departments of Tumbes, Piura and Lambayeque, and vital for the survival of the inhabitants of this region, since they provide animal fodder, building materials, medical applications, liquor and food products. Its climate is hot and dry, with rainfall during the summer that allow the development of lush vegetation and unique. The dry forest extends from the edge of the sea to a distance of 100 to 150 km inland. The topography is generally flat, with extensive plains and low hills in coastal mountain ranges and small inland. This is the land of the ceibos bellies, which accumulate accumulate water in their thick trunks, and hardwood and fine, as hualtaco and guayacán. It is also home to the gray deer, fox coast, White-winged Guan and the anteater, animals that share the dry forest with large flocks of noisy parrots and parakeets of emerald red forehead.

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