ABSTRACT
Peru is internationally recognized as a megadiversity country. Its territory extends from the Pacific Ocean to the rainforests of the Amazon River basin, passing through the coastal deserts and the valleys, plateaux and snow covered peaks of the Andean mountain range. This geographical and physical diversity is reflected in the fact that Peru contains 84 different life zones: a huge range of ecosystems which together provide a home to approximately 19 per cent of the world’s bird species, 10 per cent of mammals, 21 per cent of diurnal butterflies, 18 per cent of bats, and 13 per cent of freshwater fish. It is evident that a series of different measures are required to ensure conservation of such a wide spectrum of biological diversity. Among these, the establishment of protected areas is a fundamental element within the overall conservation strategy.
