Bofedales en estero Chilon, comuna de Putaendo (28571433217)

Bofedales (singular ''bofedal''), known in some parts of Peru as ''oconales'', are a type of

wetland A wetland is a distinct ecosystem that is flooded or saturated by water, either permanently (for years or decades) or seasonally (for weeks or months). Flooding results in oxygen-free (anoxic) processes prevailing, especially in the soils. The ...

found in the

Andes The Andes, Andes Mountains or Andean Mountains (; ) are the longest continental mountain range in the world, forming a continuous highland along the western edge of South America. The range is long, wide (widest between 18°S – 20°S ...

in Peru and Chile. They are a feature in the land use and ecology of high Andean ecosystems. They form in flat areas around ponds or streams and may be permanent or seasonal, and they can be man made or natural. The soil in a bofedal will be moist throughout the year. Bofedales are associated with

peat Peat (), also known as turf (), is an accumulation of partially decayed vegetation or organic matter. It is unique to natural areas called peatlands, bogs, mires, moors, or muskegs. The peatland ecosystem covers and is the most efficien ...

in the soil and the presence of humidity in the soil means that they are green throughout the year. Bofedales are found above above sea level (asl), although some classifications put them no lower than asl. The

Ramsar Convention The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of Ramsar sites (wetlands). It is also known as the Convention on Wetlands. It i ...

describes bofedales as peatlands without forest. Bofedales absorb the limited amount of water derived from snow, glacier meltwater and rain showers storing it in ground and slowly releasing it. The water can be either fresh or saline. Their vegetation is slow-growing and tough, made up of grasses, especially rushes, and some low spreading herbs. Birds such as the

Andean goose The Andean goose (''Chloephaga melanoptera'') is a species of waterfowl in tribe Tadornini of subfamily Anserinae.HBW and BirdLife International (2021) Handbook of the Birds of the World and BirdLife International digital checklist of the bird ...

, ducks and wading birds use these wetlands for feeding and a wide variety of other birds depend on these permanent water sources and their associated insects. Other types of animals in the bofedales are poorly known.

References

{{Wetlands Ecosystems Marshes