Pagaibamba Protection Forest

Pagaibamba Protection Forest is a protected natural area in the region of Cajamarca, Peru.[1] The area was declared a protection forest in order to preserve the water supply of surrounding towns, preserve the water cycle of the area, protect road infrastructure and protection of soils by preventing erosion.[1][2]

Pagaibamba Protection Forest
Bosque de Protección Pagaibamba
IUCN category VI (protected area with sustainable use of natural resources)
Waterfall inside Pagaibamba Protection Forest
Location in Peru
Location Peru
Cajamarca
Coordinates6°24′53″S 79°04′03″W
Area8.0247 sq mi (20.784 km2)
EstablishedJune 19, 1987 (1987-June-19)
Governing bodySERNANP
WebsiteBosque de Protección Pagaibamba

History

The Pagaibamba Protection Forest was established in June 19, 1987.[1]

Geography

This protection forest is located in the district of Querocoto, Chota Province, Cajamarca.[1][2] It covers an extension of 2,078.38 hectares (8.0247 sq mi) and protects a mountainous area dissected by small creeks.[1] Elevations in the area are between 2300-2800 m.[3]

Climate

Mean annual temperatures have a maximum of 10,9° C and a minimum of 6,5 °C.[1] The annual average precipitation has a maximum of 1,722 mm and a minimum of 834 mm.[1]

Ecology

Flora

According to the Holdridge life zones classification, the vegetation type is a wet tropical mountain forest.[1] Among the plant species reported in the area are: saucecillo (Podocarpus sp.), roble amarillo (Ocotea sp.), lanche (Myrcianthes sp.), suro (Chusquea sp.), queñual (Polylepis sp.), aliso (Alnus acuminata), palm trees, tree ferns, etc.; growing in association with tall grasses.[1][2]

Fauna

Mammals reported in the forest include: the spectacled bear, the puma, the white-tailed deer, the Andean fox, the montane guinea pig, the mountain tapir, the tapeti, the pacarana, etc.[1][2][4]

Among the birds present in the area are: the razor-billed curassow, the Andean guan, the Andean condor, etc.[1][2]

The frog Pristimantis chimu is reported in this area.[5]

Activities

Nature watching, trekking and scientific research are the main activities in the area.[1][2][4]

Environmental issues

Deforestation is threatening the forest's area of extension.[2] In late 2016, Pagaibamba was one of several protected areas in northern Peru affected by human-caused wildfires.[6][7][8] These fires were caused by slash-and-burn agricultural practices that went out of control coupled with drought.[6][7] The burning of forests to open land for crops is considered illegal in Peru.[6]

References
  1. "De Pagaibamba - Servicio Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas por el Estado". www.sernanp.gob.pe (in Spanish). Retrieved 2017-05-11.
  2. "BOSQUE DE PROTECCIÓN DE PAGAIBAMBA" (in Spanish). MINCETUR. Retrieved 2017-05-11.
  3. Weigend, Maximilian; Rodríguez, Eric; Arana, César (2005). "Los bosque relictos del noroeste de Perú y del suroreste de Ecuador". Revista Peruana de Biología. 12 (2): 189.
  4. Jiménez, Carlos F.; Quintana, Heidi; Pacheco, Víctor; Melton, Derek; Torrealva, Javier; Tello, Guillermo (2010). "Camera trap survey of medium and large mammals in a montane rainforest of northern Peru". Revista Peruana de Biología. 17 (2): 191–196. ISSN 1727-9933.
  5. Venegas, Pablo J.; Duellman, William E. (2012-03-28). "Two syntopic new species of the Pristimantis orestes Group (Anura: Strabomantidae) from northwestern Peru". Zootaxa. 3249 (1): 47–59. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.3249.1.5. ISSN 1175-5334. APPENDIX. Specimens examined. Pristimantis chimu: PERU: Cajamarca: Bosque de Protección de Pagaibamba, 3000 m
  6. "'Out of control' wildfires damage protected areas in northern Peru". Mongabay Environmental News. 2017-01-17. Retrieved 2018-10-27.
  7. "MAAP #52: Update – Fires Degrade 11 Protected Areas in northern Peru". MAAP. 2017-01-11. Retrieved 2018-10-27.
  8. "Forest fires affecting 10 regions, 4 natural zones in Peru". Fox News Latino. 2016-11-23. Retrieved 2018-10-27.

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