Avireri-Vraem Biosphere Reserve (Peru)
The Avireri-Vraem Biosphere Reserve is located in the provinces of Satipo and La Convención of central Peru. It is one of the largest reserves in Central and South America, composed of two large coastal lagoon systems and a wide variety of natural ecosystems.
Avireri-Vraem Biosphere Reserve
The Avireri-Vraem Biosphere Reserve is located in the provinces of Satipo and La Convención of central Peru. Founded in 2020, it is one of the largest Biosphere Reserves in Central and South America.
Biosphere reserves are regions that preserve species in their natural environment. They are organized into three interrelated zones: the core area, the buffer zone, and the transition zone. The core area is strictly protected, the buffer zone allows limited human activity, and the transition zone allows greater activity.
The total surface area of the Avireri-Vraem Biosphere Reserve is 4,110,762 ha (10,157,914 acres) and is made up of the following:
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Core area(s): 878,191 ha (2,170,057 acres)
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Buffer zone(s): 1,110,256 ha (2,743,502 acres)
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Transition zone(s): 2,122,314 ha (5,244,352 acres)
Located in the provinces of Satipo and La Convención of central Peru, Avireri Vraem spans altitudes of 280 - 6,271 m (918 - 20,574 ft), hosting 12 different ecosystems in three ecoregions:
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Amazon Rainforest at the foot of the Andes
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Yungas on the steep mountain slopes with montane and cloud forests
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Andean Region at the heights of the Andes mountain range
Avireri-Vraem links Peru’s Oxapampa Ashaninka Yanesha Biosphere Reserve and Manú Biosphere Reserve.
Flora and Fauna
It is home to 257 endemic fauna species, 307 endemic and endangered flora species and 115 endangered fauna species on the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species.
Socio-Economic
The Biosphere Reserve has around 458,700 people, including local and Indigenous communities, who speak eight languages.
Their tangible and intangible cultural heritage forms a defining element of the diverse identity of Avireri Vraem.
“Avireri” is a mythical Ashaninka hero who helped shape the world by separating day and night, the dry and rainy seasons and creating music for each of them. He also kept invaders at bay by turning them into rocks.
“Vraem” is the acronym for the Valley of the Apurímac, Ene and Mantaro rivers (Valle de los ríos Apurímac, Ene y Mantaro).