| Saving Andean Paramos or Highlands
| Species here have had to
adapt to low atmospheric pressure, intense UV radiation, and
drying winds |
Paramos are unique alpine grassland ecosystems
found above the tree line and below the snow line of the Andean
mountains. Species have evolved within a highly varied landscape
of glacier-formed valleys and plains with lakes, peat bogs, and
wet grasslands interspersed with shrub-land and forest patches.
Due to its high altitude, species in this ecosystem have also had
to adapt to low atmospheric pressure, intense ultraviolet radiation,
and the drying effects of wind. Paramos, therefore, boast unusually
high numbers of endemic species, including up to 60 percent of the
5,000 species of plants found in these ecosystems.
 In
2002 the Andean Community of Nations—a trade bloc comprising
the South American countries of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru—recognized
the Andean paramos or highlands as a cross-border ecosystem with
a high priority for conservation.
In these unique areas, NCI is collaborating with
the Institute for the Management of Hydrographic Basins to implement
a project to conserve Peruvian paramos. Its main purpose is to promote
processes of conservation and the sustainable use of biodiversity
and water sources in highland ecosystems. The project covers areas
in Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru (specifically the regions
of Piura and Cajamarca). In Piura, the project sites are known as
Pacaipampa (including the lands of San Pablo and Cachiaco) and Ayabaca
(including the rural community of Samanga). Both areas are part
of the binational Catamayo-Chira watershed.
Through this project, NCI is working to sustainably
manage highland areas by building local capacity and developing
policies and laws to support conservation and sustainable development
practices.
We are also helping to inform local communities on conservation
goals, and we continually strive to replicate project successes
in other areas.
During the project’s first year, communities
and municipalities have honored formal project agreements, and have
successfully drew up the boundaries of the Andean highlands and
forests at the work site, inventoried biodiversity, mapped out 50%
of the lagoons in the Andean highlands of the Ayabaca province,
and placed an intern in the Cochecorral Community in Amaluza (Ecuador).
We are currently in the process of implementing participative management
by the local communities.
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