Governing body SERNANP Established August 9, 1979 | Area 25 km² | |
Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve is a protected area located in the regions of Arequipa and Moquegua; Peru. The main purpose of this area is to protect the local flora, fauna and landscape formations.
Contents
History
The area was declared a national reserve on 9 August 1979 by decree N° 070-79-AA. Salinas y Aguada Blanca was designated as a Ramsar site in 2003.
Geography
Salinas y Aguada Blanca National Reserve is located in the provinces of Caylloma and Arequipa in the region of Arequipa; and in the province of Sanchez Cerro in the region of Moquegua. It spans an area of 366,936 hectares (3,669.36 km2) which covers the headwaters of important local rivers like Yura and Chili.
The landscape features high Andean plateaus dotted by lakes and meadows; and surrounded by volcanoes like Ubinas, Misti, Pichu Pichu and Chachani in the southwest and by mounts Chuccura and Huarancante in the north. Although initially declared an area with the aim to protect local camelids, it has since become a protected water source for the city of Arequipa. Precipitation carried by the eastern winds is captured by the local vegetation and stored in the lakes, meadows and soil; thus giving a valuable environmental service to the region.
The reserve is populated to some extent; most of its territory belongs to thirteen peasant communities and more than 100 private smallholders recognized by law.
Ecology
The area is representative of the puna ecosystem.