Preserving the unique puna ecosystems of the Andean Altiplano: A descriptive account of Lauca National Park, Chile

Abstract

Lauca National Park forms a unique area of puna and prepuna ecosystems in the high Altiplano of northeastern Chile. Its extensive puna steppe shrublands lying above 4,000 m and high volcanoes reaching above 6,000 m provide some of many strong justifications for its designation as a UNESCO International Biosphere Reserve in 1983. The park also contains Lago Chungará, one of the highest lakes in the world at 4,518 m elevation, and a rich variety of fauna and flora. The mammal fauna of the park includes notable populations of large herbivores such as vicuña, guanaco, and huemul,..