Bolivian Montane Dry Forests Ecoregion (South America)

Bolivian Montane Dry Forests Ecoregion (South America)

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The Bolivian montane dry forests ecoregion in Bolivia, on the eastern side of the Andes, is a transitional habitat between the puna grasslands higher up to the west and the Chaco scrub to the east. Steep hillsides, cliffs and valleys characterize this dry region.

Bolivian Montane Dry Forests

The Bolivian montane dry forests ecoregion in Bolivia, on the eastern side of the Andes, is a transitional habitat between the puna grasslands higher up to the west and the Chaco scrub to the east.

This ecoregion is quite restricted, forming a transition between the Yungas and Puna zones in south-central Bolivia and barely touching Argentina.

Steep hillsides, cliffs and valleys characterize this dry region. These dry forests flank the slopes and valleys of the eastern Andes of Bolivia, extending as both large and small patches among valleys and between the high puna habitats and the lowland Chaco.

The Bolivian montane dry forests ecoregion has very diverse microclimates, and species assemblages can differ from one mountain or valley to the next.

Flora and Fauna

A variety of endemic birds are present in this region, including the Bolivian Recurvebill (Simoxenops striatus), Bolivian Blackbird (Oreopsar bolivianus), and several finches, including Citron-headed Yellow Finch (Sicalis luteocephala) and Warbling Finches (Poospiza garleppi and P. boliviana).

Other rare and endemic species include the Torrent Duck (Merganetta armatta), Wedge-tailed Hillstar (Oreotrochilus adela), Black-hooded Sunbeam (Aglaeactis pamela), and Carbonated Flower-piercer (Diglossa carboniaria).

Many strongly tropical species meet this region's southern limits of geographic distribution. Felid diversity is high, with species including Puma (Felis concolor), Ocelot (F. pardalis), Pampas Cat (F. colocolo), Geoffroy's Cat (F. geoffroyi) and Jaguarundi (Herpailurus yagouaroundi).

Protection Status

This region is heavily impacted by urban sprawl and the ramifications of an increasing human population; overhunting, conversion to agriculture, collection of wood for fuel and other impacts.

Only 6% of the original habitat remains. Fragmentation of the remaining forests is thus the dominant threat.

Map depicting the location of the Bolivian montane dry forests ecoregion (in purple)

Map depicting the location of the Bolivian montane dry forests ecoregion (in purple)