Lachay National Reserve

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]

Lachay National Reserve
Reserva Nacional de Lachay
IUCN category VI (protected area with sustainable use of natural resources)
Wet season at Lachay.
Location Peru
Lima Region
Nearest cityHuacho
Coordinates11°21′30″S 77°22′10″W
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)

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]

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References
  1. "Lachay National Reserve - Park Profile - Threats". www.parkswatch.org. Retrieved 2018-11-07.
  2. "De Lachay - Servicio Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas por el Estado". www.sernanp.gob.pe (in Spanish). Retrieved 2018-11-07.
  3. "Lachay National Reserve - Park Profile - Geography". www.parkswatch.org. Retrieved 2018-11-07.
  4. 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. "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.
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