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

Lauca National Park forms a unique are of puna and prepuna ecosystems in th e high Altiplano of northeastern Chile. Its extensive puna steppe shrubland s lying above 4000 m and high volcanoes reaching above 6000 m provide some of many strong justifications for its designation as a UNESCO International Biosphere Reserve in 1983. The park also contains Lago Chungara, the highe st lake in the world at 4518 m elevation, and a rich variety of fauna and f lora. The mammal fauna of the park includes notable populations of large he rbivores such as vicuna, guanaco, and huemul, and a rich diversity of roden t species. More than 140 species of birds, one third of the total Chilean b ird fauna-with many rare wetland species- and more than 400 species of vasc ular plants occur within the park. Despite its relatively pristine natural environment, Lauca National Park faces numerous management challenges. Thes e include the management of critical and limited water resources, the impac ts of human population and tourism, management of rare and endangered speci es, and pressures from mining and agricultural interests to decertify areas currently within park boundaries. Expansion of the park boundary westward to include ecologically significant prepuna habitats should be a high prior ity of park management.