The flora and fauna of the Peruvian coast is exotic and diverse. This richness is the product of the different surfaces that characterize this area.
The coastal region - or chala as it is also known - features islands, mangroves, beaches, some salt marshes and inland areas up to approximately 500 meters above sea level.
Chala region of Peru
With respect to the interior, its areas are dominated by a desert, often rocky and mountainous, that goes from Chile to Ecuador.
This desert is crossed by many small rivers that descend through steep and arid mountains, emptying into the Pacific.
Temperatures along the coast rise near the equator in the north, and drop to cooler levels in the south.
Most representative species of the flora and fauna of the Peruvian coast
Climatic conditions have a great impact on the flora and fauna of the Peruvian coast. Along the coast, these conditions gradually change from semi-desert or arid on the border with Ecuador to one of the driest desert climates in the world in the center and south.
However, there are some variations in these areas, either in drier conditions or in more humid conditions. This is due to the intense fog formation caused by the Humboldt Current.
Flora
The coastal area is known for the formation of a very special seasonal vegetation called hills.
These formations owe their development to the clouds that move inward from the Pacific Ocean and that deposit their water in the form of a fine mist over the land.
In turn, these clouds develop over the cold Antarctic current that sweeps the coast from south to north, and the little humidity that remains within them condenses when they pass through the first foothills of the Andes.
Thus, some representative species of the hills are: amancaes, chives, snow flower, ferns, white grass, lily of the Incas, wild chamomile, hill daisy, moradilla, tuberose, quinoa, trumpet and others.
In total, there are 557 species of desert plants in the hills of the desert coast of Peru.
On the other hand, other species of the entire coastal area include: salty grass (along the coast), reed (in the alluvial plains and riverbanks), algarrobo (in the north coast), faique (in the deserts of Pisco and Ica) and mangroves (at the end of the north coast).
In addition, genera of the cactus family are found throughout the desert region, such as nopales, Peruvian elder cactus, various species of Haageocereus and Islaya cactus.
The flora of the region also consists of palm trees, coconuts, olive trees, papayas and mangroves.
Fauna
The rich marine vegetation of the Peruvian coast attracts a large number of marine fauna. Among the most important are the sea lion, anchovy, tuna, whale, swordfish and marlin.
In the same way, the island reserves inhabit sea birds such as Peruvian potoyuncos, Humboldt penguins, seagulls, parakeets, terns, pelicans, frigates and gannets.
For its part, the coastal desert is home to coastal foxes, guanacos, vampires, mice, lizards and snakes.
References
- Segreda, R. (2009). Viva Travel Guides: Peru. Quito: Viva Publishing Network.
- Peru - Flora and fauna. (s / f). In Nations Encyclopedia. Retrieved on October 27, 2017, from nationsencyclopedia.com.
- Hudson, RA (Editor). (1992). Peru: A Country Study. Washington: GPO for the Library of Congress.
- Peruvian coastal desert. (s / f). At National Parks-Worldwide. Retrieved on October 29, 2017, from nationalparks-worldwide.info.
- Ochoa, CM (2004). The Potatoes of South America: Peru. The wild species. Lima: International Potato Center.
- Flora guide of the coastal hills of Lima. (2013). Ministry of agriculture, Peru. General Directorate of Forestry and Wildlife.
- Zegarra Zegarra, R. (2006). Biodiversity and taxonomy of the desert flora of southern Peru: nolanaceae family. In IDESIA (Chile), Vol. 24, No. 3, pp. 7-187.
- Austermühle, S. (s / f). Marine birds of Peru. Retrieved on October 29, 2017, demundoazul.org.
- Wust, WH (1999). Ecology of Peru. Lima: Adobe Editores.