Pampa Hermosa National Sanctuary ( es, Santuario Nacional Pampa Hermosa) is a

protected area Protected areas or conservation areas are locations which receive protection because of their recognized natural, ecological or cultural values. There are several kinds of protected areas, which vary by level of protection depending on the ena ...

Peru , image_flag = Flag of Peru.svg , image_coat = Escudo nacional del Perú.svg , other_symbol = Great Seal of the State , other_symbol_type = Seal (emblem), National seal , national_motto = "Fi ...

located in the region of Junín. It preserves one of the last pristine areas of montane forests in central Peru.

Geography

''Pampa Hermosa National Sanctuary'' is located between the provinces of Tarma and Chanchamayo, in the region of Junin, Peru. The area is mountainous, with an elvational range between 1340 and 3960 m.

Ecology

Pampa Hermosa protects areas of tropical montane

rainforests Rainforests are characterized by a closed and continuous tree canopy, moisture-dependent vegetation, the presence of epiphytes and lianas and the absence of wildfire. Rainforest can be classified as tropical rainforest or temperate rainforest ...

and high elevation grasslands.

Flora

Plant species found in this protected area include: '' Cedrela angustifolia,

Juglans neotropica ''Juglans neotropica'' is a species of plant in the Juglandaceae family. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. It is threatened by habitat loss. Common names include Colombian walnut, Ecuadorian walnut, Andean walnut, nogal, cedro negro, ...

Retrophyllum rospigliosii ''Retrophyllum rospigliosii'' is a species of conifer in the family Podocarpaceae. It is a large evergreen tree native to the montane rainforests of Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia in South America. Etymology and names The speci ...

, Iriartea deltoidea, Weinmannia'' sp.'',

Escallonia myrtilloides ''Escallonia myrtilloides'' is an evergreen shrub or tree in the Escalloniaceae family, native to open montane wet forests and paramos from Costa Rica to Bolivia. It occurs at elevations between . Description Trees or shrubs from high, with irr ...

, Pseudolmedia rigida,

Alnus acuminata ''Alnus acuminata'' is a species of deciduous tree in the Betulaceae family. It is found in montane forests from central Mexico to Argentina.Zuloaga, F. O., O. N. Morrone, M. J. Belgrano, C. Marticorena & E. Marchesi. (eds.) 2008. Catálogo de la ...

Prumnopitys montana ''Prumnopitys montana'' is a species of conifer in the family Podocarpaceae. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. The Latin specific epithet ''montana'' refers to mountains or coming from mountains.Archibald William Smith Ref ...

, Guarea guidonia, Styrax andinus'', etc.

Fauna

Animal species found in this protected area include: the

Andean cock-of-the-rock The Andean cock-of-the-rock (''Rupicola peruvianus''), also known as ''tunki'' (Quechua), is a large passerine bird of the cotinga family native to Andean cloud forests in South America. It is widely regarded as the national bird of Peru. It has ...

, the

Junín red squirrel The Junín red squirrel (''Sciurus pyrrhinus'') is a species of squirrel from Peru and Ecuador. Description The Junín red squirrel is a relatively large tree squirrel, having a head-body length of about . The majority of the body is covered in ...

, the yellow-throated toucan, the spectacled bear, the

semicollared hawk The semicollared hawk (''Microspizias collaris'') is a rare bird of prey species in the family Accipitridae. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. It is potent ...

, etc.

References

{{Natural and Cultural Peruvian Heritage Reserved zones of Peru Geography of Junín Region