Saving Peru’s Ecosystems and

Biodiversity
Inglés profesional 2
Marco Meza
Biodiversity in
Peru
It is important for the
world and for the
enjoyment of future
generations to preserve
Peru’s ecosystems and
biodiversity.
 Ecosystems Highlands
Jungle
Coast
• Peru has a wide range of
ecosystems
• Great variation in elevation
or height above sea
• Peru presents:
• About 84 of the 104
existing ecosystems or
“life zones” identified in
the world (81%)
• 28 of the 32 climates on
the planet (87%)
Geo diversity
From the cold Pacific waters in the
south to the warm tropical seas in
the north
From the dry coastal desert to the
high Andean mountains and
Altiplano
From the mountainous tropical
forest to the deep
humid Amazon basin.
 Climate diversity
• Varieties of climates make Peru one of the most biologically diverse
countries in the world.
• Scientists estimate that Peru is home to
• 25,000 plant species or 10% of the world total
• 472 species of mammals (about a third are different types of bats)
• 20% of the world’s butterfly species
• 1,816 bird species. Almost one fifth of all migrating bird species fly
through Peru.
25,000 plant species or 10% of the world total
472 species of mammals (about a third are different types of bats)
20% of the world’s butterfly species
1,816 bird species
Tropical rain forest
Nearly two-thirds of
Peru is covered by
tropical rain forest
It is where the
impressive and
mighty Amazon
River originates
Tropical rain forest
Peru is the second in Latin
America after Brazil for
total area of tropical rain
forest.
Currently the country has
more than 133 million acres
of old rainforest,
representing 58% of the
original forest.
Deforestation
Logging, oil drilling, mining, gas
extraction, expansion of
farming land and extraction of
other natural resources
diminishes the area of forest
Chemical spraying in order to
eradicate coca plants is another
source of deforestation that
affect the local flora and fauna.
Rubber boom
Ever since the rubber boom over
one hundred years ago when
thousands of indigenous people
died extracting rubber the
Amazon rain forest has been a
political issue
Often times, Peru’s indigenous
people and their land have been
threatened by development in
the area.
Biodiversity hope
According to the Conservation
Foundation, Peru is a country
of surprising diversity in
human and biological terms,
and because of its vast genetic
wealth, if Peru can be saved, it
could serve as the basis for
“rehabilitating” the rest of the
world.
Gas and oil
Seventy two percent of the
Peruvian Amazon is involved in
plans for oil and gas extraction
which threatens its biodiversity
and ecosystems
Incentives for foreign investment
and high prices for metals have
promoted the increase in mining
concessions by more than 70% in
the last 10 years.
Pollution
The biggest concern among
local communities
Promoting private
investment and protecting
the environment should be
a priority in the country’s
development policy