The landscape is dominated by sandy desert. There are also some portions covered by desert scrub, made up of xerophytic species that have adapted to the extreme, arid conditions. Some 74 species have been identified to date (1). Cacti dominate the transitional zone between the desert and the hills. The cactus Haageocereus limensis is the predominate species, along with other cacti and some semi-perennial scrub bushes. Plants from the genus Tillandsia also grow in the area, as they are sustained by the moisture from clouds formed in the sea. They are common in areas where there is not enough moisture to sustain normal vegetation. Species include Tillandsia latifolia, Tillandsia purpurea, Tillandsia paleacea (Bromeliaceae), Tiquilia paronychioides (Boraginaceae), Haageocereus sp. and Islaya omasensis (Cactaceae).
Wetland and salt marsh vegetation grow in swampy and/or muddy areas. These areas are characterized by poorly-drained soils, temporary stagnant pools of water with relatively high salt-content, that are typically found in low-lying zones or old river beds. Aquatic vegetation is found in and around these areas.
Herbaceous associations that stand out include the Poaceae families (including the Distichlis, Paspalidium and Sporobolus genus), Cyperaceae and Chenopodiaceae (genus Henopodium y Salicornia). Other plants include California bulrush, (Schoenoplectus californicus), known locally as totora and used in woven mats and other crafts; herb-of-grace (Bacopa monnieri), least duckweed (Lemna minuta), and knotgrass (Paspalum distichum).
Hills, sand dunes, hillocks, cliffs, and dry gullies occupy a large portion of the reserve. These areas are covered by sandy soil (sometimes rocky soil) that lacks sufficient humidity to sustain plant life. Yet, palm trees appear sporadically in these areas providing the water table lies relatively close to the surface (2).
Fauna
The area's meteorological, geological and oceanographic characteristics produce special natural conditions for the existence of a wide diversity of animal species. To date, approximately 216 bird species, 19 mammals, six reptiles and 52 fish species have been registered in the reserve.
A large number of native and migratory bird species are found in Paracas National Reserve, including the pied-billed grebe (Podylimbus podiceps), white-tufted grebe (Rollandia Rolland), Peruvian pelican (Pelacanus thagus), Peruvian booby (Sula variegata), turkey vulture (Cathartes aura), black vulture (Coragyps atratus), and coot (Fulica americana).
Migratory species include the osprey (Pandion haliaetus), Wilson's Phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor), semipalmated plover (Charadrius semipalmatus), black-bellied plover (Pluvialis squatarola), spotted sandpiper (Actitis macularia), ruddy turnstone (Arenaria interpres), sanderling (Calidris alba), red knot (Calidris canutus), western sandpiper (Calidris mauri), semipalmated sandpiper (Calidris pusilla), willet (Catoptrophorus semipalmatus), whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus), gray gull (Larus modestus), Franklin's gull (Larus pipixcan), common tern (Sterna hirundo), royal tern (Sterna máxima), elegant tern (Sterna elegans) and storm-petrel (Hirundo rustica).
The main species that nest in the area include the snowy egret (Egretta thula), black-crowned night-heron (Nycticorax nycticorax), white-cheeked pintail (Anas bahamensis), cinnamon teal (Anas cyanoptera), American kestrel (Falco sparverius), snowy plover (Charadrius alexandrinus), killdeer (Charadrius vociferous), Peruvian thick-knee (Burhinus superciliaris), band-tailed gull (Larus belcheri), croaking ground-dove (Columbina cruziana), white-winged dove (Zenaida asiática), burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia), chestnut-throated seedeater (Sporophila telasco) and rufous-collared sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis).
Several species found in the reserve are considered vulnerable, including the kelp gull (Larus dominicanus), black skimmer (Rynchops niger), and the American oystercatcher (Haematopus palliates) (3). According to the World Conservation Union's (IUCN) Redlist of Threatened Species, the following species are threatened to some degree: the South American flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis), and the condor (Vultur gryphus) are near threatened; the Humboldt penguin (Spheniscus humboldti) is vulnerable and Peruvian diving petrel (Pelecanoides garnotii) is endangered. Both the Humboldt penguin and the Peruvian diving petrel are endemic species of the Humboldt Current of the Pacific Ocean and are found in the marine portion of Paracas National Reserve.
The Paracas Bay has three distinguishable zones: the marine, the marine-land interface, and the coastal environment. Each has rich biodiversity. In the marine zone, there is an abundance of fish species such as silversides (Odonthetes regia regia), mullet (Mugil cephalus), anchovy (Engraulis ringens), Pacific guitarfish (Rhinobatos planiceps), sardine (Sardinops sagax sagax), cabinza grunt (Isacia conceptionis), blackruff (Seriolella violacea), mackerel (Trachurus picturatus murphyi), Pacific bonito (Sarda chilensis chilensis). There are also several turtle species such as the Galapagos (Chelonia agassizzi), leatherback (Dermocheles coriacea), and olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea). In addition, there are several species of phytoplankton and zooplankton. In the marine-land interface, there are algae such as Ulva lactuca, Gigartina chamisoi, Agardhiela sp., mollusks Synus cymba, Nassarius gayi, Littorina peruviana, Argopecten purpuratus, Thais chololata, Aulacomya ater, Tagelus sp., crustaceans such as Hepatus chilensis, Ocypode gaudichaudii, Pagurus edwardssi, and worms like Nephtys sp., Nereis sp (4).
Sea mammals include the South American fur seal (Arctocephalus australis) and the South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens), as well as the marine otter (aka seacat) (Lontra felina or Lutra felina), which is an endangered species according to IUCN. There are also dolphin species such as the bottlenose (Tursiops truncates) and whales. Land-based mammals include the coastal fox (Pseudalopex (Dusycion) sechurae), bats (Desmodus spp.) and small mammals such as rats Rattus spp., which are common in the hills. Typical reptiles in the area include the Microlophus peruvianus and Tropidurus peruvianus lizards and an endemic gecko (Phyllodactylus angustidigitus).
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1 Personal conversation with biologist Rafael Tamashiro, head of the reserve.
2 Environmental and Social Impact Assessment of the LGN Fractionation Plant and Cargo Facilities in the Lobería Beach, Pisco, Perú. May 2002. Environmental Resources Management ERM Perú. Chapter II. Page 35-36.
3 Ibid. Cap. II. Pag. 84-86 and 96-97.
4 Ibid. Cap. II. Pag. 126.
