I traveled to the Peruvian Amazon to explore the jungle’s famed biodiversity, to study the threats that loom over such a valuable and productive ecosystem, and to immerse myself in the distinct culture. Living in the Amazon, shut off from much of modern civilization, it is easy to feel as if the jungle itself is its own country—it is large enough to be. In comparison to other countries containing Amazon rainforest, the Peruvian Amazon is less connected with the rest of the country. However, my recent trip served as a reminder that I am both within Amazonia and the larger Peruvian nation.
Upon traveling to the Andes and stepping off the airplane, I at first felt as if I was entering an entirely new country. The wardrobe and the surrounding architecture, as well as the stunning mountainous landscape and cool climate, were sharply divergent features in comparison to the Amazon. However, with deeper examination I found similarities between the two cultures related to the preservation of their rich cultures and their relationship with the environment. My visit also revealed a variety of human activities that threaten biodiversity and responses in the form of community conservation initiatives.
The sceneries I observed in the Andes were among the most magnificent I’ve seen in my life. As we drove and hiked along this highland landscape, I admired mountains of intimidating stature and vibrant valleys where horses grazed. Being both tourist and student, I had an eye for not only the physical beauty but also the cultural and environmental implications of the region.
Mountain men versus jungle dwellers
Peru is characterized by two distinct yet equally renowned natural landscapes—both the Amazon jungle and the Andes. I have been among Amazonian natives, as described in previous writing, and find that the distinct environments harbor certain differences between the two cultures. Yet both share a connection with the natural world and this is expressed in their cultures.
One of the most noticeable differences in culture spotted between these two groups is the wardrobe. In the Amazon, where the climate is hot and humid, most locals where t-shirts and jeans. There are traditional clothing items used by natives—feathers and other parts of animals used to make decorative dress for ceremonies and special occasions. However, the traditional dress of the Andes is seen in more abundance. In Cusco, the dress is typically modern while in other places there is a mixture.
Climate largely impacts the traditional dress of the people of the Peruvian Andes. The cool climate necessitates warm layers. The alpacas, llamas, and sheep of this region have thick wool coats for this purpose. The Andean people take advantage of this by making colorful wool clothing. These can be seen sold in shops in Pisac, Cusco and elsewhere. The traditional “look” consists of braided hair, wool skirts and sweaters, large colorful blanket-like bags tied around their bodies, wool ponchos, and occasionally chullo hats.
Native Andeans collect wool from alpaca, sheep and llama. They sheer and wash the wool using five natural shampoos from plants. They spin the thread to create bundles of yarn, often while doing other activities. They use a variety of plants to dye the yarn, giving them rich colors— black, blue, purple, orange, pink, red, green, and shades of these. They wrap the yarn around sticks to begin weaving. A scarf takes 15 days to weave and the women spend six to seven hours per day on weaving.
Buildings in the Andes, especially those located near to Cusco, are very uniform and aesthetically pleasing. The buildings are typically white with the brown terra cotta roofing characteristic of Spanish culture. Some of these buildings are considered sacred. Cuzco, which was the Incan Empire’s capital, still contains examples of Inca architecture including the world-famous Machu Picchu.
In the Andes, Quechua is the primary native language. The Inca Empire was originally a mixture of languages, but the Incas adopted Quechua as the dominant of these. Native peoples in both the Andes and Amazonia strive to conserve their traditional native tongues.
Natives of both regions place spiritual importance in having a harmonious relationship with the environment. What they both call “the good life” in separate languages represents a relationship with the environment that involves using its resources practically and sustainably. For both, the environment is a necessary part of their livelihoods and provides for their daily needs.
Natives of the Andes use plants to treat cramps, muscle soreness, bruises, sore throat, colds, altitude sickness, stomach aches, coughs, parasites, among other conditions. This was reminiscent of the medicinal plants used by shamans in the Amazon. Both cultures demonstrate and intimate relationship with their environment through the resourceful use of medicinal plants.
Anthropogenic threats to the Andean environment
The Amazon rainforest, among the most biodiverse places on earth, is distinguished by the multitude of questions it poses regarding environmental threats. The Andes faces its own set of concerns for the preservation of its environment.
One of the most picturesque qualities of the Andes is the grazing of cattle and horses along the slopes and valleys. However, if unchecked this activity could pose an environmental threat. A major conservation issue of the Andes is soil erosion. The mountains here exhibit discoloration at certain spots—They appear brown and white from fire scars. This happens in the dry season, when animals come to graze, and is followed by a wet season of heavy rain. The rain washes away the top soil and organic soil increasing erosion and landslides. The causes of the fires are usually man-made and due to efforts to manage vegetation and “chacras”—farmland.
The Andean bear is threatened by habitat loss, climate change and illegal killing due to false perceptions and conflicts. The bear is important to protect because it is a seed disperser and it has the capacity to modify the forest structure. For example, bear movement results in crushing branches which allows light to enter benefiting vegetation growth.
These bears are often targeted because they raid corn crops and attack livestock. Research among two communities at Manu Biosphere Reserve revealed negative perceptions of the bear, complaints about it killing cattle and threats to kill the bear. This research, along with gaining a better understanding of the Andean bear behavior and its interactions with humans, are necessary to conserve this species.
The conservation threat of climate change was demonstrated at the cloud forest in Wayqecha. Temperatures decrease with increased elevation, and currently there must be a minimum temperature of 18 degrees Celsius for cloud formation to begin. With the increased temperatures caused by climate change, the elevation at which this temperature occurs will increase. This will likely affect cloud coverage and the abundance of fog causing plant dryness because cloud forests derive 40 to 50 percent of their water input from fog.
A relatively new, ambitious, and unprecedented research project by Dr. Dan Metcalfe, professor at Lund University in Sweden, is located at the Manu National Park to study how cloud forests respond to a shift in cloud base. Long green curtains cover a portion of the mountain, disallowing the entrance of fog. The goals of the experiment are to measure how reducing fog water input will affect the water cycle, carbon flux, and plant survival, growth and diversity. The amount of fog input is measured inside and outside of this area as well as other factors—biomass accumulation of trees by measuring tree circumferences over time, respiration of plants by using PVC pipes to monitor carbon dioxide levels, and an array of effects on plants.
For example, epiphytes will be studied to determine if the decreased fog affects their growth. Epiphytes are a good indicator of climate change and important to cloud forest functioning. According to an article by Thomas G. Pypker of Thompson Rivers University, epiphytic lichens and bryophytes increase canopy water storage capacity and alter the transfer of water through the canopy. This research project is estimated to take place over a 10-year period.
Fortunately, there were multiple initiatives to preserve this ecosystem in the Andes including the potato park and Abra Malaga.
The Potato Park
The potato park in the Sacred Valley is a place I would recommend to anyone traveling in Peru who wants a taste of the rich, traditional cultures of the Andes. This park is an example of utilizing community engagement for conservation initiatives. Six communities work together to harvest a diverse number of potato varieties. The park covers 9,800 square hectares with a population of 6,500 people and is at an altitude of 3,200 to 5,000 meters above sea level. Distinct groups contribute 10 percent of their revenue to the park and communities are ranked based on their contributions. The ranking determines the amount of money received by that community from the potato fund, thus encouraging healthy competition in the name of biodiversity preservation.
A major initiative of this project is to maintain the diversity of potatoes. Instead of producing a large amount of potatoes, a small amount is produced to conserve the different seed types. At this park, there were about 1,000 varieties. Some were stone-like, which provides food security because they can be stored for 15 to 20 years. One of the men at the park told us they store the seeds to preserve the varieties for future generations from climate change and other human disturbances for the food security of all people. The seed bank stored over 1,000 seeds at low temperatures to keep for prolonged periods of time before they begin to sprout.
The potato park.
The park also conserves traditional and sustainable methods of agriculture. Everything at the park is organic—no chemicals are used. The park was an example of how ecotourism can be a means for conservation because many come to the park from other countries to learn about the rich diversity of potatoes unique to Peru. This attention supports the project. The Quechu language and the wardrobe characteristic of native Andeans could be found in abundance at the park due to intentions to conserve these traditional aspects of their culture.
Climate change could affect the potato cultivation process because it results in the movement of disease-carrying insects, according to Worldwatch Institute. Those involved in this project at the Potato Park are seeking to discover potato varieties that are resilient to these and have already found seven.
Abra Malaga
The polylepis forest of Abra Malaga, which is mostly tropical, faces an array of anthropogenic effects. These include human activities that result in forest fragmentation, deforestation, climate change and modification of the land. This area is a target for conservation because it is an important habitat for birds. Three flagship species were chosen from the region to draw attention to conservation initiatives of this forest. These include the royal cinclodes, the ash-breasted tit-tyrant, and the white-browed tit-spinetail. Birders, hikers, researchers and tourists come to this region to marvel at its beauty. The paid entrance fee finances the mission to conserve the native species of the forest, especially the polylepis trees.
Hiking at Abra Malaga.
One part of this mission is a reforestation campaign. The community collects seedlings, grows them in greenhouses and then plants them in the field. The families are paid to help, which benefits the surrounding community. They have recently planted around 8,000, and since the inception of the project, 1.3 million trees have been planted.
Hiking through this forest, like movements through other regions in the Andes, displayed a portrait of livestock and cattle grazing. This makes the soil highly erodible and can reduce the number of seedlings that colonize. It can also reduce seedling growth and survival.
Animals grazing in the valley of Abra Malaga.
The impact of climate change on the environment was demonstrated at the polylepis forest. A large glacier that once extended to where the vegetation encroached 40 meters below is now much smaller due to the change in climate and temperatures, according to our guide. Glacier melting is a characteristic indicator of climate change.
The portrait of the Andes as a place of intense beauty and rich tradition is maintained by local projects—from cultural conservation, to reforestation campaigns and potato variety preservation. The Andes may not carry the same weight of environmental alarm as the “save the rainforest” campaign, but this ecosystem is equally valuable to those who come to admire its natural splendor and steadfast culture.