Habitat Restoration and Sustainable Use of Southern Peruvian Dry Forest

Huarango forest relic on the Rio Poroma

The dry forest and xerophytic ecosystems of south-west Peru provide essential environmental and economic resources in a region supporting over 680,000 people. The predominant native tree species Prosopis pallida (huarango), has provided local livelihoods for at least 4,000 years. These forests are unique sources of biodiversity, supporting rare and threatened species (e.g. Slender-billed finch, Xenospingus concolor).

Over recent decades land clearance, felling and overgrazing have depleted the remaining dry forest relics almost to the point of extinction. The processes of desertification, including extensive soil loss and salination, are widely evident. In May 2005 blanket invasion of sand dunes over fertile land was recorded in areas of recent deforestation on the edge of the Ica Valley floodplain.

In collaboration with governmental and non-governmental partners, this project has been designed to develop and demonstrate techniques for habitat restoration and regeneration using local species, and for sustainable production of economically viable products from Prosopis (huarango) pods. Initial funding was obtained to conserve a surviving area of old-growth Prosopis forest in the Rio Nazca watershed, and project activities were launched in November 2005. Funds were secured from the UK Darwin Initiative to support the project from 2006 to 2009. 

Project objectives

·       Strengthening local/national capacity for applied biodiversity research;

·       Developing and disseminating technology for habitat restoration to protect biodiversity and combat desertification;

·       Increasing understanding of dry forest ecosystem dynamics and biodiversity;

·       Evaluating the capacity for increased production of native forest products (Prosopis pod flour and syrup) as sustainable economic options for forest use, and promoting wider uptake;

·       Protecting biodiversity of remaining native forest relics by buffering with restored habitats;

·       Raising awareness of the importance of south coast dry forests and associated biodiversity, resource values, threats and management strategies;

·       Supporting the establishment of protected areas in remaining fragments of native dry forest ecosystems.

For more information on the project, visit http://www.kew.org/science/tropamerica/peru/index.htm