Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve

Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve
Reserva Nacional Pacaya-Samiria
IUCN category VI (protected area with sustainable use of natural resources)
River at Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve.
Location	Loreto, Peru
Nearest city	Nauta
Area	20,800 km2 (8,000 sq mi)
Established	4 February 1982
Ramsar Wetland
Official name	Reserva Nacional Pacaya-Samiria
Designated	30 March 1992
Reference no.	546

Pacaya–Samiria National Reserve, is a protected area located in the region of Loreto, Peru and spans an area of 20,800 km² (8,000 sq mi). It protects an area of low hills and seasonally flooded forest in the Amazon rainforest. Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve and the near Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo Reserve both forms a biodiversity hotspot in the Amazon jungle.

Biodiversity

Flora

Some of the native plant species present in the reserve are: Spondias mombin, Quararibea cordata, Mauritia flexuosa, Parinari excelsa, Cedrela odorata, Ocotea spp., Myrciaria dubia, Socratea exorrhiza, Calathea allouia, Solanum sessiliflorum, Hevea guianensis, Pouteria caimito, Clidemia hirta, Ficus maxima, Heliconia psittacorum, Inga spp., Psychotria poeppigiana, Alibertia edulis, Victoria amazonica, Ceiba pentandra, Phytelephas macrocarpa, Clusia spp., Swietenia macrophylla, Asclepias curassavica, Pachira aquatica, Cragious Psychotria, etc.

Fauna

Mammal species found in the reserve include: the Amazonian manatee, the red-faced spider monkey, the South American tapir, the Bolivian squirrel, the Amazon river dolphin, the puma, the giant otter, the white-lipped peccary, the jaguar, the red brocket, the tucuxi, the South American coati, the capybara, etc.

Some species of fish found in the reserve are: Arapaima gigas, Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum, Phractocephalus hemiliopterus, Colossoma macropomum, Osteoglossum bicirrhosum, Potamotrygon motoro, Brycon melanopterus, Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma, Plagioscion squamosissimus, Prochilodus nigricans, etc.

Birds found in the reserve include: the Spix's guan, the black-bellied whistling duck, the king vulture, the crimson-crested woodpecker, the harpy eagle, the blue-and-yellow macaw, the scarlet macaw, the black-throated mango, the horned screamer, the cobalt-winged parakeet, the swallow-tailed hummingbird, etc.

Climate

The annual mean temperature ranges between 20 and 33 °C, while the annual mean precipitation ranges between 2000 and 3000 mm. It is advisable to visit the reserve between May and January. The climograph shown here corresponds to the nearby town of Nauta (93 m of elevation).

Nauta
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D     257     32 22     234     32 22     259     31 22     261     31 22     203     31 22     173     31 22     115     31 21     128     32 21     171     32 21     199     33 22     204     32 22     244     32 22 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C █ Precipitation totals in mm Source: Climate-Data.org
Imperial conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D     10     89 71     9.2     89 72     10     88 72     10     88 72     8     88 72     6.8     88 71     4.5     87 70     5     89 70     6.7     90 71     7.8     91 71     8     90 72     9.6     90 72 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F █ Precipitation totals in inches

Anthropology

Native peoples still inhabit the reserve, as well as more recent settlers.

Recreation

The reserve has 15 authorized campsites distributed in 8 areas open for tourism; as well as 5 wilderness huts. Moreover, there are 19 park ranger stations (4 of them with information stands) and 21 neighborhood watch stations.

See also

• Allpahuayo-Mishana National Reserve
• Pacaya River