Bolivian Yungas
Encyclopedia
The Bolivian Yungas is a tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forest ecoregion
in the Yungas
of central Bolivia
and eastern Peru
.
in Bolivia. It forms a transition zone between the Southwest Amazon moist forests
to the northeast and the Central Andean puna
and wet puna
to the southeast.
to tropical monsoon
. Fog and rain deposited by northern trade winds contribute to the high humidity and precipitation of the Yungas.
s are abundant and include bromeliads, orchids, and tree-ferns (Cyathea
). Chusquea
bamboo is an indicator species of the ecoregion.
Interesting bird species include the diademed tapaculo (Scytalopus schulenbergi), green-capped tanager (Tangara meyerdeschauenseei), and southern helmeted curassow (Pauxi unicornis).
Ecoregion
An ecoregion , sometimes called a bioregion, is an ecologically and geographically defined area that is smaller than an ecozone and larger than an ecosystem. Ecoregions cover relatively large areas of land or water, and contain characteristic, geographically distinct assemblages of natural...
in the Yungas
Yungas
The Yungas is a stretch of forest along the eastern slope of the Andes Mountains from southeastern Peru through central Bolivia. It is a transitional zone between the Andean highlands and the eastern forests. Like the surrounding areas, it has characteristics of the Neotropic ecozone...
of central Bolivia
Bolivia
Bolivia officially known as Plurinational State of Bolivia , is a landlocked country in central South America. It is the poorest country in South America...
and eastern Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
.
Setting
The ecoregion occurs in elevations ranging from 400 to 3500 m (1,312.3 to 11,482.9 ft) on the eastern slopes of the AndesAndes
The Andes is the world's longest continental mountain range. It is a continual range of highlands along the western coast of South America. This range is about long, about to wide , and of an average height of about .Along its length, the Andes is split into several ranges, which are separated...
in Bolivia. It forms a transition zone between the Southwest Amazon moist forests
Southwest Amazon moist forests
Southwest Amazon moist forests are an ecoregion located in the Upper Amazon Basin. The region is characterized by a relatively flat landscape with alluvial plains dissected by undulating hills or high terraces. The biota of the southwest Amazon moist forest is very rich because of these dramatic...
to the northeast and the Central Andean puna
Central Andean puna
The Central Andean puna is a montane grasslands and shrublands ecoregion in the Andes of southern Peru, Bolivia, and northern Argentina.-Setting:...
and wet puna
Central Andean wet puna
The Central Andean wet puna is a montane grasslands and shrublands ecoregion in the Andes of Peru and Bolivia.-Setting:This ecoregion occurs above and consists of high-elevation, wet, montane grasslands amid lakes, plateaus, valleys, and high mountains. It is bordered on the west by the Sechura...
to the southeast.
Climate
The climate in this ecoregion varies from tropical rainforestTropical rainforest climate
A tropical rainforest climate, also known as an equatorial climate, is a tropical climate usually found along the equator...
to tropical monsoon
Tropical monsoon climate
Tropical monsoon climate, occasionally also known as a tropical wet climate or tropical monsoon and trade-wind littoral climate in climate classification, is a relatively rare type of climate that corresponds to the Köppen climate classification category "Am."Tropical monsoon climates have monthly...
. Fog and rain deposited by northern trade winds contribute to the high humidity and precipitation of the Yungas.
Flora
EpiphyteEpiphyte
An epiphyte is a plant that grows upon another plant non-parasitically or sometimes upon some other object , derives its moisture and nutrients from the air and rain and sometimes from debris accumulating around it, and is found in the temperate zone and in the...
s are abundant and include bromeliads, orchids, and tree-ferns (Cyathea
Cyathea
Cyathea is a genus of tree ferns, the type genus of the fern order Cyatheales. They are mostly terrestrial ferns, usually with a single tall stem. Rarely, the trunk may be branched or creeping. Many species also develop a fibrous mass of roots at the base of the trunk. The genus has a pantropical...
). Chusquea
Chusquea
Chusquea is a genus of bamboo with about 150 species. Most of them are mountain clumping bamboos native from southern Mexico to southern Chile and Argentina. They are sometimes referred to as South American mountain bamboos. Unlike most other bamboos, the stems of these species are solid, not hollow...
bamboo is an indicator species of the ecoregion.
Fauna
Mammals found in this ecoregion include the spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus), Geoffroy’s cat (Leopardus geoffroyi), lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris), jaguar (Panthera onca), pacarana (Dinomys branickii), and brocket deer (Mazama chunyi).Interesting bird species include the diademed tapaculo (Scytalopus schulenbergi), green-capped tanager (Tangara meyerdeschauenseei), and southern helmeted curassow (Pauxi unicornis).
Natural areas
Steep terrain, high precipitation, and difficult access have kept much of this ecoregion in a natural state. Protected areas include:- Tambopata-CandamoTambopata-CandamoTambopata-Candamo is a nature reserve in the Peruvian Amazon Basin south of the Madre de Dios River in Tambopata Province's Inambari and Tambopata districts...
- Carrasco National ParkCarrasco National ParkCarrasco National Park is a national park in Cochabamba Department, Bolivia. It has a surface area of 6,226 square kilometers. More than 5,000 plant species have been registered in the area, placing the park among Bolivia's most biologically diverse. It is a protected area and people are prohibited...
- Madidi National Park
- Amboró National ParkAmboró National ParkAmboró National Park in central Bolivia is a nature reserve with over 800 species of birds, over 125 mammalian species including puma, ocelot, and the rare Spectacled Bear. Covering an area of 4,425 km² , it is protected from human settlements, hunting, mining and deforestation, though...
- Isiboro Sécure National Park and Indigenous TerritoryIsiboro Sécure National Park and Indigenous TerritoryIsiboro Sécure National Park and Indigenous Territory is a protected area and Native Community Land in Bolivia situated between the north of the Cochabamba Department and the south of the Beni Department...
- Pilón Lajas Biosphere Reserve and Communal LandsPilón Lajas Biosphere Reserve and Communal LandsPilón Lajas Biosphere Reserve and Communal Lands is a protected area in Bolivia located in the departments of La Paz and Beni , in their northern and western parts, respectively, about 350 km northeast of La Paz and 50 km west of...