Biomes / Ecosystems of South America

Amazônia, or "The Amazon," is a vast and awe-inspiring region of South America. Often called the "lungs of the Earth," this immense lush green forest, stretching across nine countries, is home to unparalleled plant and animal life, making it one of the Earth's most biodiverse ecosystems. Comprising the Amazon rainforest, the Amazon biome, the Amazon basin, and the Amazon River, Amazônia plays a crucial role in regulating the planet's climate and producing oxygen.

The Central Amazon Ecological Corridor is a crucial protected expanse in Brazil, embracing a variety of ecosystems, habitats, and species within the Amazon Rainforest. Spanning the core of the Amazon Basin, this corridor serves a pivotal function in safeguarding biodiversity, addressing climate change, and fostering sustainable development in the area.

Resting amidst the rugged slopes on both flanks of the Andes Mountains in southern South America, the Andean Patagonian Forest, known as Bosque Andino Patagónico, serves as a testament to the remarkable beauty and ecological abundance present in this distinctive temperate woodland. Spanning areas in southern Chile and Argentina, it claims the title of the southernmost forest on our planet.

The Atacama Desert region, stretching over a formidable 1,600 km along the Pacific coast of Chile, is not merely a geographical marvel but an intricate mosaic of history, ecology, and adaptation. Beyond its arid expanses lies the Atacama Desert Ecoregion—an ecological classification that extends its influence across adjacent areas.

The Atlantic Forest, known as Mata Atlântica, is a verdant treasure trove of biodiversity stretching along Brazil's eastern and southeastern coast and into Argentina and Paraguay. Although reduced from its original expanse, this sprawling natural region remains one of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet, second only to the Amazon Rainforest. Home to major cities like Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, the Atlantic Forest also provides a habitat for over 148 million people.

The Cerrado, South America's largest savanna region and the most extensive ecoregion in the Americas unfolds across central Brazil, extending its natural wonders into northeastern Paraguay and eastern Bolivia. This savanna, boasting unparalleled biological richness, is a global treasure, home to 5% of the planet's animals and plants and harboring an extraordinary menagerie of life.

The Gran Chaco, or simply Chaco, is a large and intriguing region in eastern Bolivia, western Paraguay, northern Argentina, and a small section of Brazil. It is an alluvial plain with diverse ecosystems, including South America's second-largest forest after the Amazon. There are two main ecoregions, the Humid Chaco and the Dry Chaco, which differ in climate, vegetation, and ecology.

Stretching across the expansive landscapes east of the Andes Mountains in northwestern South America, the Llanos, also known as Los Llanos, emerges as a vast tropical grassland plain of remarkable ecological diversity. Nestled within the borders of Colombia and Venezuela, this ecoregion of flooded grasslands and savannas paints a vivid portrait of natural grandeur.

The Pantanal is the world's largest tropical wetland, predominantly situated in the Center-West Region of Brazil. This vast seasonal floodplain, however, also stretches into northeastern Paraguay and southeastern Bolivia, creating a stunning ecological masterpiece. Its diverse landscapes and vibrant ecosystems are genuinely captivating.

The Páramo, or Andean Moorland, is a distinctive high-mountain biome in the Neotropical region, specifically in the upper Andes of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. This grassland ecosystem, situated above the timberline but below the permanent snowline, is renowned for its unique flora and fauna, making it an essential component of the region's biodiversity.

The Magellanic Steppe is a distinctive biome within the broader Patagonian Desert, characterized by its unique vegetation and landscape features. It is named after the famous explorer Ferdinand Magellan, who navigated the region during the early 16th century. This steppe is a significant component of the arid Patagonian ecosystem, stretching across southern Argentina and Chile.

The Peruvian Amazon, known locally as "La Selva" (the jungle), unfolds as a vast and awe-inspiring realm stretching from the eastern foothills of the Andes Mountains to the borders shared with Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, and Bolivia. It constitutes Peru's extensive portion of the Amazon rainforest, the second-largest after Brazil. La Selva holds a special place in the hearts of Peruvians, encompassing one of the country's three principal geographic regions alongside La Costa (the coast) and La Sierra or Los Montañas (the highlands or mountains).

The Yungas, an Aymara term meaning "Warm Lands," unveils a remarkable subtropical forest belt along the eastern slope of the Andes Mountains, spanning Peru, Bolivia, and northern Argentina. This unique natural region is a transitional zone, linking the Andean highlands to the lush eastern forests, creating a haven for biodiversity amidst its humid, subtropical climate.

The Tumbes-Chocó-Magdalena Hotspot, spanning from Panama to Peru, is a biodiverse region threatened by urbanization, hunting, and deforestation. Positioned along the western flank of the Andes Mountains, this hotspot encompasses various ecosystems, hosting an extraordinary range of flora and fauna. With unique ecosystems and species, urgent conservation efforts are needed to protect this hotspot from further decline and preserve its exceptional biodiversity.