FLORA Y FAUNA DE CUATRO BOSQUES DE Polylepis (ROSACEAE) EN LA CORDILLERA DEL VILCANOTA (CUSCO, PERU).

Abstract

Polylepis (“queñual”) forests of the Vilcanota Highlands (3600-4500m) contain a unique flora and fauna characterized by habitat specialists and high levels of endemism. Unfortunately, these forests also represent one of the most vulnerable habitats in the high Andes due to the high anthropogenic pressure existent (cutting for firewood and building materials together with overgrazing), because they constitute the only wood resource at those elevations. One of the major difficulties in the elaboration of conservation strategies for this ecosystem are the large gaps of information existing today. The present study contributes basic information aimed at the knowledge and preservation of four new or poorly known localities for the Vilcanota Highlands: Sacsamonte, Yanacocha, Pumahuanca y Queuñamonte. For each locality, information referring to angiosperm plants (144 species), birds (68 species), reptiles and amphibians (7 species), and large mammals (8 species) is provided. From the faunistic report, 9 species of birds, 1 amphibian species, and 1 mammal species, are listed as species with high priority for conservation, threatened, vulnerable or rare. This publication is part of "Proyecto Queñual", whose main objective is to contribute to the knowledge of Polylepis forests in order to propose adequate measurements for its protection in the High Andes of Peru.