Bolivian Yungas

The Bolivian Yungas is a tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forest ecoregion in the Yungas of central Bolivia and eastern Peru.[1]

Bolivian Yungas
Yungas Road through the Bolivian Yungas
Ecoregion territory (in purple)
Ecology
BiomeTropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forest
Borders
Geography
Area90,500 km2 (34,900 sq mi)
CountriesBolivia and Peru

Setting

The ecoregion occurs in elevations ranging from 400 to 3,500 metres (1,300 to 11,500 ft) on the eastern slopes of the Andes 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.[1]

Climate

The climate in this ecoregion varies from tropical rainforest to tropical monsoon. Fog and rain deposited by northern trade winds contribute to the high humidity and precipitation of the Yungas.[1]

Flora

Epiphytes are abundant and include bromeliads, orchids, and tree-ferns (Cyathea). Chusquea bamboo is an indicator species of the ecoregion.[1]

Fauna

Mammals found in this ecoregion include the spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus), Geoffroy’s cat (Leopardus geoffroyi), lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris), jaguar (Panthera onca), jaguarundi (Puma yagouaroundi), pacarana (Dinomys branickii), and brocket deer (Mazama chunyi).[1]

Interesting bird species include the diademed tapaculo (Scytalopus schulenbergi), green-capped tanager (Tangara meyerdeschauenseei), Andean cock-of-the-rock (Rupicola peruvianus), and southern helmeted curassow (Pauxi unicornis).[1]

Natural areas

Steep terrain, high precipitation, and difficult access have kept much of this ecoregion in a natural state. Protected areas include:

References
  1. "Bolivian Yungas". Terrestrial Ecoregions. World Wildlife Fund.

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