Las Vicuñas National Reserve is a
nature reserve located in the
Parinacota Province,
Arica y Parinacota Region,
Chile. The reserve lies immediately south of
Lauca National Park and in its southern portion is contiguous to
Salar de Surire Natural Monument, all of which form
Lauca Biosphere Reserve. The major elevations are
Arintika and
Pukintika.
This
Puna ecosystem preserves high-altitude wildlife, including
Vicuñas, for which the reserve is named.
Much of the reserve consists of extensive
Andean steppes cut by rivers and ''quebradas'', being
Lauca River
The Lauca River is a binational river. It originates in the Chilean Altiplano of the Arica and Parinacota Region, crosses the Andes and empties into Coipasa Lake in Bolivia.
The upper reach of the river lies within the boundaries of Lauca Nation ...
the main one. Typical vegetation includes pajonal, tolar and
llaretal formations. In some areas is possible to find specimen of
Polylepis tarapacana
''Polylepis tomentella'', known in its native habitat by the Spanish common name ''queñoa de altura'' (polylepis or quenoa of ighaltitude), is a short tree or shrub which is found in small, scattered groupings along the mountainous borders of ...
.
References
Reserva Nacional Las Vicuñas
National reserves of Chile
Protected areas of Arica y Parinacota Region
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