New reserve in Peru

19-08-2011

New reserve in Peru protects birds, new Plant and frog species

Andina

A new nature reserve in central Peru, covering more than 2,400 acres and protecting important high-altitude cloud forests, has been established through the efforts of Asociacion Ecosistemas Andinos (ECOAN) – a leading Peruvian conservation group – and American Bird Conservancy – the leading U.S. bird conservation organization.

Five new plant species and two new frog species have been discovered within the new San Marcos Private Conservation Area (PCA), which also supports birds like the Fire-throated Metaltail, Powerful Woodpecker and Brown-flanked Tanager.

Only thirty percent of the forest has been surveyed, however, and it is possible that the endemic and endangered Golden-backed Mountain-Tanager may also occur here. The new reserve protects watersheds important to San Marcos, as well as to the city of Huanuco and 11,800-acre Tingo Maria National Park further downstream.

The new reserve will help “safeguard and maintain water supplies to assure its use for irrigation and domestic consumption” said Rene Calderon, the Regional President of Huanuco.

“It is incredible to witness how much the local community supports this reserve and the level of local media coverage it has attracted in Huanuco” said ECOAN President, Constantino Aucca.

The San Marcos PCA is located on land owned by 125 families from San Marcos and will be managed by the local community. With support from ABC and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, ECOAN worked with the local residents of the San Marcos community to design the reserve, earning final approval from the Peruvian government in June 2011.

“Private Conservation Areas are an increasingly effective means of preserving lands in Peru and serve as strong examples of the solid conservation results that can be achieved when local communities, government agencies and private non-profit groups work together,” said ABC Conservation Biologist, Dr. Daniel Lebbin.

SOURCE: PeruthisWeek.com

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