Bosques de Paz Transboundary Biosphere Reserve (Ecuador, Peru)

Bosques de Paz Transboundary Biosphere Reserve (Ecuador, Peru)

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The Bosques de Paz Transboundary Biosphere Reserve was formed by joining two existing biosphere reserves in Ecuador and Peru. The reserve includes seasonally dry forests that form the heart of the Endemic Region of Tumbes, one of the world's biodiversity hotspots.

Bosques de Paz Transboundary Biosphere Reserve

The Bosques de Paz Transboundary Biosphere Reserve comprises the Noroeste Amotapes-Manglares Biosphere Reserve of Peru (initially designated in 1977 and expanded in 2016) and the Bosque Seco Biosphere Reserve of Ecuador (initially designated in 2014).

The Transboundary Biosphere Reserve covers a total area of 1,616,988 ha (or just under 4 million acres) in southwestern Ecuador and northeastern Peru.

Its establishment is the result of both countries' efforts to strengthen their fraternal ties, trust and cooperation in diverse areas over two decades since they signed a peace agreement in 1998. It was the 1st transboundary biosphere reserve established in South America and the 17th in the world.

The Bosques de Paz Transboundary Biosphere Reserve includes seasonally dry forests of Ecuador and Peru that form the heart of the Endemic Region of Tumbes, one of the world's biodiversity hotspots. It also includes the Tumbes mangroves.

The reserve covers parts of Peru's Tumbes and Piura regions and Ecuador's Loja and El Oro provinces. The dry forest of Tumbes and Piura is an ecoregion home to the largest dry forest remnant in western South America and has a high level of species endemism.

The ecoregion is located in the equatorial region of South America between the Pacific Ocean and the western slope of the Andes Mountains. The western foothills of the Andes, with altitudes up to 3,080 m (10,100 ft), have resulted in a unique biological diversity with a high degree of endemism.

This region is home to 59 endemic bird species, 14 of which are endangered. There are about 617,000 inhabitants, and the most important activities are livestock and tourism.

Following the Peace Agreement between Peru and Ecuador in 1998, both countries have strengthened their fraternal ties, trust and cooperation in diverse areas. This Transboundary Biosphere Reserve stems from these efforts.