Ecoregions of Peru

The Central Andean wet puna ecoregion, a gem in the southern high Andean Mountains of Peru and eastern Bolivia, reveals itself as a high-elevation, moist, montane grassland. Marked by snow-capped peaks, mountain pastures, high lakes, plateaus, and valleys, this region extends beyond the tree line, forming a distinctive composition of landscapes.

The Peruvian Yungas ecoregion, nestled along the eastern slopes and central valleys of the Peruvian Andes, is a biological treasure trove, encompassing a vast expanse from northernmost to southernmost Peru. This subtropical montane region, characterized by its deciduous and evergreen forests, contributes significantly to the rich biodiversity of the Neotropics.

The Southwest Amazon moist forests are in the upper Amazon Basin, encompassing parts of Brazil, Peru, and Bolivia. The vast ecoregion contains some of the richest and largest tracts of intact tropical rainforest in the Amazon. Its inaccessibility has kept most of the habitat intact.

Nestled high amidst the jagged, snow-covered peaks of the Southern Andes lies the Central Andean Puna - a land of rugged resilience crafted from pristine pampas and awe-inspiring altiplano plains. This high-altitude montane grassland stretches across the southern regions of Peru, traversing the rugged Bolivian Altiplano and dipping into the northern corners of Argentina.

Peru is a country with diverse landscapes and natural wonders. It has two contrasting yet equally captivating deserts along its western coastline—the Sechura and Nazca Deserts. The relentless forces of nature have shaped these arid expanses and stand as testaments to the resilience of life in extreme environments. They offer a unique blend of geological marvels and biodiversity.

The Tumbes-Piura dry forests ecoregion is nestled along the Pacific coast of northwestern Peru and southwestern Ecuador. This unique and remarkable ecosystem is part of the larger Tumbes-Chocó-Magdalena biodiversity hotspot. This ecoregion, often overshadowed by the more well-known tropical rainforests of the Amazon basin, is a biodiversity hotspot in its own right, harboring an exceptional concentration of endemic species and facing significant conservation challenges.

Várzeas are extensive lowland floodplain areas bordering the Amazon River and its tributaries. As a result, Várzea forests are subject to seasonal flooding and may also contain more open, seasonally flooded habitats such as grasslands, including floating meadows.