Fig. 1   Proposed damsite at La Calzada.

LA LECHE RIVER FLOOD CONTROL PROJECT

LAMBAYEQUE, PERU

TASK 5:   ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

PART 2:   SECTION 4

June 29, 2009

Dr. Victor M. Ponce

Environmental Consultant

4.   ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTERIZATION

The environmental characterization consists of a description of the physical, biological, and human resources settings in connection with the proposed project and its environs. The physical setting includes a description of the topographic relief, geomorphology, geology, hydrology, archaeological remains, water quality, air quality, noise, and hazardous residues.

The biological setting includes a description of ecosystems, habitats, migration, natural reserve areas, human populations, flora and fauna, flooding areas, swamps and wetlands, and endangered species. The human resources setting includes demography, economy and development, land use, infrastructure, housing, schools, health care, transportation, fishing, recreation, public services, and archaeological and historical resources. These settings are described in detail in the following sections of this report.

4.1   Physical setting

The La Leche river basin is located in the western slopes of the Western Range of the Peruvian Andes, in the departments of Lambayeque and Cajamarca, in northern Peru. The La Leche river is a tributary of the Motupe river, which drains the western slopes of the mountains immediately north of the La Leche river basin. Downstream of its confluence with the La Leche river, the Motupe river flows in a general western direction, discharging into the La Niña Lake, without an outlet to the sea.

The La Leche river basin has three distinct sections: (1) from headwaters to the natural geologic constriction at La Calzada, with a drainage area of 907 km2; (2) from La Calzada to Huaca de La Cruz, with a drainage area of 634 km2; and (3) from Huaca de La Cruz to the confluence with the Motupe river, with a drainage area of 175 km2. Thus, the total drainage area of the La Leche river is 1,716 km2.

The headwaters of the La Leche river are at Cerro Choicopico, at an elevation of 4,230 m above mean sea level. The La Leche river to La Calzada has three major tributaries: (1) Moyan River, (2) Sangana River, and (3) Cincate Creek. These tributaries contribute the following volumes to the flood peak at La Calzada: (1) Moyan River, 27.3%; (2) Sangana River, 43.6%; and (3) Cincate Creek, 16.6%, for a total of 87.5%. The remaining flood volume (12.5%) is accounted for by the lateral contributions of the La Leche river proper, downstream of the confluence of the Moyan and Sangana rivers (Ponce, 2008).

The Huaca de La Cruz sector has archaeologically and ecologically sensitive areas. Thus, the proposed dam and reservoir are located further upstream, at La Calzada, far from the sensitive areas. The neighboring Chancay river to the south also drains the western slopes. During extreme floods, the drainage basins of the La Leche and Chancay rivers overlap along their low-flow boundary. Thus, the La Leche river can overflow into the Chancay river in times of extreme flood, further confusing the issue of drainage. The towns of Illimo, Pacora, and Jayanca, are located on the flood plain of the La Leche and Motupe rivers.

4.2   Biological setting

The biological setting comprises a description of the ecosystems, flora and fauna, habitats, migration, natural reserve areas, swamp and wetland areas, and endangered species.

4.2.1   Ecosystems

The ecosystems in the project area and vicinity can be divided into three groups:

  1. Floodplain ecosystems;

  2. Semideciduous hilly ecosystems;

  3. Relict montane ecosystems.

The floodplain ecosystems are represented in the middle reaches of the La Leche river valley, from the Bosque de Pomac (Pomac Forest), moving upstream to Rinconada Calicantro (Calicantro side valley), extending south as far as Matriz Comunidad, and northeast up to Motupillo. This ecosystem is represented by the following woody species:

  • carob tree [huarango, algarrobo americano] (Prosopis pallida),

  • South American Sapote [sapote] (Capparis angulata),

  • acacia, or porknut [faique] (Acacia macracantha),

  • Jamaican cherry, or strawberry tree [cerecillo] (Muntingia calabura),

  • weeping willow [sauce llorón] (Salix xsepulcralis),

  • guava tree [overo] (Cordia lutea),

  • caper bush [vichayo] (Capparis ovalifolia),

  • pearlberry [cuncuno] (Vallesia glabra),

  • chaquiro [chaquiro] (Pithecellobium excelsum),

  • brave cane [caña brava] (Ginerium sagittatum), and

  • chope [Chopé] (Gustavia iquitosensis).
In Calicantro, a few specimens of guayacán (Guaiacum officinale) and Palo Blanco (Calycophyllum multiflorum) remain.


Fig. 4   Floodplain ecosystem of the Pomac Forest, with La Leche river in the foreground.

The representative fauna of the floodplain ecosystems are the following:

  1. Birds, such as

    • pale-legged hornero [chilala] (Furnarius leucopus),

    • long-tailed mockingbird [chisco, calandria colilarga] (Mimus longicaudatus),

    • Peruvian plantcutter [cortarrama] (Phytotoma raimondii),

    • Tumbes swallow [golondrina de Tumbes] (Tachycineta stolzmanni),

    • Tumbes tyrant [tirano de Tumbes] (Tumbezia salvini),

    • Rufous flycatcher [copetón rufo] (Myiarchus semirufus),

    • red breast [peche rojo] (Sturnella loyca),

    • rock pigeon [paloma] (Columba livia),

    • gray heron [garza real] (Ardea cinerea), and

    • woodpecker [pajaro carpintero] (Picumnus lafresnayi).

    (a)
    (b)
    (c)
    (d)
    (e)
    (f)
    Fig. 5   (a) pale-legged hornero (Furnarius leucopus), (b) long-tailed mockingbird (Mimus longicaudatus),
    (c) Peruvian plantcutter (Phytotoma raimondii), (d) Tumbes tyrant (Tumbezia salvini),
    (e) Rufous flycatcher (Myiarchus semirufus), and (f) woodpecker (Picumnus lafresnayi)
    (Sources: Google and Wikipedia).

  2. Reptiles, such as

    • Coral snake [coralillo] (Micrurus tschudii),

    • Iguana lizard [iguana] (Iguana iguana), and

    • Leopard lizard [pacaso] (Callopistes flavipunctatus).

    (a)
    (b)
    Fig. 6   (a) coralillo (Micrurus tschudii), and (b) pacaso (Callopistes flavipunctatus) (Source: Google).

  3. Mammals, such as

    • squirrel [ardilla] (Spermophilus lateralis),

    • Peruvian desert fox [zorro costeño peruano] (Pseudalopex sechurae),

    • Northern anteater [oso hormiguero] (Tamandua mexicana),

    • white-tailed deer [venado cola blanca] (Odocoileus virginianus),

    • Andean mountain cat [gato montés andino] (Leopardus jacobitus),

    • cougar, or mountain lion [puma] (Puma concolor), and

    • spectacled bear [oso de anteojos] (Tremarctos ornatus).
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
Fig. 7   (a) Peruvian desert fox (Pseudalopex sechurae), (b) white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus),
(c) Andean mountain cat (Leopardus jacobitus), and (d) spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus)
(Sources: Google and Wikipedia).

The semideciduous hilly ecosystems are represented in the upper reaches of the La Leche river valley, from Rinconada Calicantro to El Higueron, in the vicinity of Puente Caído, near the confluence of the Moyán and Sangana rivers [to form the La Leche river]. It includes the hills of Motupillo, La Traposa, Calaboso, and La "U" on the left margin, and Calicantro, Huaca Rajada, La Calera, and Negrahuasi on the right margin.

This ecosystem is represented by the following woody species:

  • South American Sapote [sapote] (Capparis angulata),

  • carob tree [huarango, algarrobo americano] (Prosopis pallida),

  • Peruvian cactus [cactácea columnar] (Neoraimondia arequipensis),

  • melon cactus [cactácea ovoide] (Melocactus sp.),

  • pearlberry [cuncuno] (Vallesia glabra),

  • caper bush [vichayo] (Capparis ovalifolia), and

  • guava tree [overo] (Cordia lutea).

Fig. 8   Semideciduous hilly ecosystem in the upper reaches of the La Leche river valley.

The representative fauna of the semideciduous hilly ecosystems are the following:

  1. Birds, such as

    • pale-legged hornero [chilala] (Furnarius leucopus),

    • long-tailed mockingbird [chisco, calandria colilarga] (Mimus longicaudatus),

    • red breast [peche rojo] (Sturnella loyca),

    • rock pigeon [paloma] (Columba livia),

    • gray heron [garza real] (Ardea cinerea), and

    • woodpecker [pajaro carpintero] (Picidae sp.).

  2. Reptiles, such as the coral snake [coralillo] (Micrurus tschudii), and

  3. Mammals, such as

    • squirrel [ardilla] (Spermophilus lateralis),

    • Peruvian desert fox [zorro costeño peruano] (Pseudalopex sechurae),

    • white-tailed deer [venado cola blanca] (Odocoileus virginianus),

    • Andean mountain cat [gato montés andino] (Leopardus jacobitus),

    • cougar, or mountain lion [puma] (Puma concolor), and

    • collared peccary [pecarí de collar, or sajino] (Tayassu tajacu).

(a)
(b)
Fig. 9   (a) mountain lion (Puma concolor), and (b) collared peccary (Tayassu tajacu) (Source: Wikipedia).

The relict montane ecosystems are represented from El Higuerón towards Moyán in the Moyán watershed, and towards Tocmoche in the Sangana watershed. It includes the hills of Lajas, Lajas de Tongón, Reloj, Naranjos, Machete, and Nuevo Mundo in the Moyán watershe; and Lajas de Tongón, Pampa de la Mula, Zapallar, Cruz Verde and Gallo in the Sangana watershed.

This ecosystem is represented by the following woody species:

  • Horse-eye bean, ormosia [huayruro] (Ormosia coccinea),

  • Guayacan [guayacán] (Guaiacum officinale),

  • Fig tree [higuerón] (Ficus cotinifolia),

  • Sandbox tree [catahua] (Hura crepitans),

  • Peruvian cactus [cactácea columnar] (Neoraimondia arequipensis),

  • melon cactus [cactácea ovoide] (Melocactus sp.),

  • strawberry pear [pitahaya] (Hylocereus undatus),

  • lipstick tree [achiote] (Bixa Orellana),

  • balsa tree [palo de balsa] (Ochroma pyramidale), and

  • Andean walnut [nogal andino] (Juglans neotropica).

Fig. 10   Relict montane ecosystem in the lower reaches of the Moyán watershed.

The representative fauna of the relict montane ecosystems are the following:

  1. Birds, such as

    • pale-legged hornero [chilala] (Furnarius leucopus),

    • red breast [peche rojo] (Sturnella loyca),

    • rock pigeon [paloma] (Columba livia),

    • gray heron [garza real] (Ardea cinerea),

    • woodpecker [pajaro carpintero] (Picidae sp.),

    • mountain parakeet [lorito montano verde esmeralda] (Psilopsiagon aurifrons), and

    • white-winged guan [pava aliblanca] (Penelope albipennis).

    Fig.11   White-winged guan (Penelope albipennis)
    (Source: Google).

  2. Reptiles, such as the coral snake [coralillo] (Micrurus tschudii), and

  3. Mammals, such as

    • squirrel [ardilla] (Spermophilus lateralis),

    • Peruvian desert fox [zorro costeño peruano] (Pseudalopex sechurae),

    • white-tailed deer [venado cola blanca] (Odocoileus virginianus),

    • Andean mountain cat [gato montés andino] (Leopardus jacobitus),

    • cougar, or mountain lion [puma] (Puma concolor), and

    • collared peccary [pecarí de collar, or sajino] (Tayassu tajacu).

The La Calzada reservoir site is located at the confluence of the La Leche river with Quebrada Cincate (or Colán), near the hamlet of Mochumi Viejo. The site, currently subject to intensive farming, would be flooded by the reservoir.

Fig. 12   La Calzada reservoir site.

The Calicantro reservoir site is located at Rinconada Calicantro, immediately north of the La Leche river, about 11 km downstream of La Calzada. The landscape consists of a broad alluvial plain flanked by the Calicantro and Hualtaco hills to the east and west, respectively. (The latter has been named here Hualtaco due to the prevailing presence of this tree species). Calicantro hill peaks at 411 m, and Hualtaco hill peaks at 475 m. The Jahuay Negro and San Antonio hills enclose the Calicantro valley to the north. The quebrada or wash that drains the Calicantro valley into the La Leche river is Quebrada Hualtacal.

The characteristic floristic associations in Calicantro are the following:

  1. South American Sapote [zapote] (Quararibea cordata) with guava tree [overo] (Cordia lutea) [zapotal-overal],

  2. Carob tree [algarrobo] (Prosopis pallida) with caper bush [vichayo] (Capparis ovalifolia) [algarrobal-vichayal], and

  3. Spruce hualtaco [hualtaco] (Loxopterygium huasango) with Peruvian sage or Holy Wood [huayacán, or palo santo] (Guaiacum officinale) [hualtacal-palo santo].

Fig. 13   The Calicantro damsite.

The hualtacal-palo santo association is prevalent on the surrounding hills, achieving its maximum density toward the northwest of the valley. Also found are the Mexican palo verde, or jellybean tree (Parkinsonia aculeata, or Cercidium praecox) and the Peruvian cactus [cactácea columnar] (Neoraimondia arequipensis), with an occasional presence of the white copal tree [copal blanco, or papelillo] (Bursera jorullense).

Fig. 14   A hualtaco (Loxopterygium huasango) on the side hills of the Calicantro valley.

The representative fauna of the Calicantro valley are the following:

  1. Birds, such as

    • Vulture [buitre, or gallinazo] (Coragyps atratus),

    • aplomado falcon [halcón aplomado] (Falco femoralis),

    • common black-hawk [gavilán] (Buteogallus sp.),

    • red-tailed hawk [guaraguao colirrojo] (Buteo jamaicensis),

    • white-edged oriole [chiroque] (Icterus graceannae),

    • red-crown parrot [loro de cabeza roja] (Amazona viridigenalis), and

    • mountain parakeet [lorito montano verde esmeralda] (Psilopsiagon aurifrons).

    (a)
    (b)
    (c)
    (d)
    Fig.15   (a) Aplomado falcon (Falco femoralis), (b) Red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis),
    (c) red-crown parrot (Amazona viridigenalis), and (d) White-edged oriole (Icterus graceannae)
    (Source: Wikipedia and Google).

  2. Reptiles, such as

    • Coral snake [coralillo] (Micrurus tschudii), and

    • Iguana lizard [iguana] (Iguana iguana)

  3. Mammals, such as

    • Peruvian desert fox [zorro costeño peruano] (Pseudalopex sechurae),

    • white-tailed deer [venado cola blanca] (Odocoileus virginianus),

    • Andean mountain cat [gato montés andino] (Leopardus jacobitus),

    • cougar, or mountain lion [puma] (Puma concolor),

    • collared peccary [pecarí de collar, or sajino] (Tayassu tajacu),

    • opossum [comadreja] (Didelphis marsupialis),

    • Northern anteater [oso hormiguero] (Tamandua mexicana), and

    • spectacled bear [oso de anteojos] (Tremarctos ornatus).

A special anthropogenic feature of the Calicantro valley is the ancient wall or parapet, of height that may have reached 3 m in the past, which extends across the lower valley in a direction perpendicular to the prevailing drainage. The wall continues on the hills, particularly on Hualtaco hill, suggesting a defensive purpose. The planned Calicantro reservoir would flood the wall and result in its disappearance.

4.2.2   Habitats

The study area has the following distinct habitats:

  1. Floodplain habitat (Hfp),

  2. Riparian habitat (Hr),

  3. Hilly habitat (Hh),

  4. Fiord habitat (Hf),

  5. Montane habitat (Hm), and

  6. Rupicola habitat (Hrp).

The representative fauna is that corresponding to a dry tropical forest.

The floodplain habitat is present in the floodplain of the La Leche river. The floodplain forests consist of understorey and tall canopy [umbral], with characteristic xerophytic vegetation. The understorey contains grasses and several shrubs, among them, the caper bush [vichayo] (Capparis ovalifolia), the pearlberry [cuncuno] (Vallesia glabra), and the guava [overo] (Cordia lutea). Reptiles and mammals inhabit the understorey, and its soil supports numerous bird species. The lianas ascend to the top of the algarrobo trees, forming dense cupulas.

Fig. 16   Floodplain habitat: the Pomac Forest.

The riparian habitat is present along the banks of the La Leche river and its tributaries. It contains species that satisfy their evapotranspiration needs by pumping water from the ground. The elements of this habitat, also referred to as "gallery forest," are characteristically tall and evergreen. A typical specimen is the weeping willow (Salix xsepulcralis).

Fig. 17   Riparian habitat on the left bank of La Leche river at Pomac Forest, with a weeping willow (Salix xsepulcralis) in the foreground.

The hilly habitat is present in hilly areas, where terrain slopes are greater than 10 percent. The predominant vegetation is represented by xerophytic shrubs and the cactaceae family, among them, notably, the Peruvian cactus [cactácea columnar] (Neoraimondia arequipensis).

Fig. 18   Hilly habitat adjoining the La Leche river valley downstream of La Calzada.

The fiord habitat is present in specific areas, where the local geomorphology is conducive to greater soil moisture, resembling the fiords of the countries of the Northern Hemisphere. The representative species are bromelias, cactaceae, and pitahayas.

Fig. 19   Fiord habitat in the Moyan watershed.

The montane habitat is present in areas with mountainous relief, where terrain slopes are greater than 30 percent. Precipitation is spread more or less evenly throughout the year; consequently, the relative humidity is high. The representative species are bromelias, orchids, and prostrate ferns, which find support on the larger tree canopy.

Fig. 20   Montane habitat in the Moyan watershed near Cerro Reloj.

The rupicola habitat is restricted to the top or side of rocks, or rocky terrain, or in areas with vertical terrain slopes, where the soil substrate is almost nonexistent. This is the habitat of the bromelias (Bromelia sp.), the strawberry pear [pitahaya] (Hylocereus undatus), and other small shrubs.

Fig. 21   Rupicola habitat in the Moyan watershed near Cerro Lajas, showing a group of bromelias in the foreground.

4.2.3   Migration

Faunal migration is related to the spatial and temporal variation of the seasons, since climate significantly influences the vegetative cycles. During droughts, the fauna migrates from the drier to the wetter ecosystems, i.e., from the hilly to the montane, looking for food and water. Likewise, El Niño events, and its related La Niña, also produce faunal migrations. The megafauna is the most dynamic of all. The spectacled bear moves into Rinconada Calicantro, changing its diet to feed on local cattle. The mountain cats, deer, foxes, anteaters, parrots, and guan [pava aliblanca] also move around following food (fruits) and water. The birds ascend from the floodplain to the hills. The reptiles remain or move where solar radiation is optimal. For instance, the iguanas and pacasos do not ascend to the montane ecosystems, because of their lower temperatures.

4.2.4   Natural reserve areas

The natural reserve areas of the La Leche basin are the following:

  1. Historic Sanctuary of the Pomac Forest, and

  2. Widlife Refuge of Laquipampa.

The Historic Sanctuary of the Pomac Forest is located in the floodplain ecosystem surrounding the La Leche river in its lower course, at a mean elevation of 80 m above mean sea level. The sanctuary was created on June 3, 2001. It occupies an area of 5,887 ha in the province of Ferreñafe, department of Lambayeque.

The sanctuary includes several ancient ceremonial sites, of rich archaeological value. These sites have been traced to the Sicán culture, which inhabited the area starting in 750 A.D., and reached its maximum splendor in the period 900-1100 A.D. The edifications, known locally as "huacas," comprise more than twenty (20) pyramids of adobe and mud, covering an area of 45 km2. Notably among the huacas are Botija, Colorada, Ingenieros, Loro (El Oro), Merced, Sontillo, Abejas, Ventanas, Rodillona, and El Mirador.

The Pomac sanctuary houses a very dense dry tropical forest, featuring xerophytic trees, notably the carob tree [algarrobo] (Prosopis pallida), the South American sapote [sapote] (Capparis angulata), and the acacia [faique] (Acacia macracantha), together with shrub associations of pearlberry [cuncuno] (Vallesia glabra), caper bush [vichayo] (Capparis ovalifolia), guava [overo] (Cordia lutea) and chaquiro [chaquiro] (Pithecellobium excelsum), in association with the strawberry tree [cerecillo] (Muntingia calabura).

Fig. 22   The Pomac Forest, with an ancient pyramid (huaca) to the left and La Leche river to the right (photo taken from Huaca El Mirador).

Four distinct vegetal units have been identified in the Pomac forest:

  1. A Propopis forest, where the carob tree predominates over the sapote (more than 90 percent carob),

  2. A Prosopis-Capparis forest, where the carob and sapote trees coexist more or less on equal terms,

  3. A Capparis forest, where the sapote tree predominates over the carob (more than 70 percent sapote), and

  4. A chaparral forest, in marginal areas transitional to the adjoining desert.

Fig. 23   Inside the Pomac Forest.

The Wildlife Refuge of Laquipampa is located in a premontane and montane zone of the La Leche river basin, with maximum altitudes of 2,800 m above mean sea level. The refuge was created on July 11, 2006, with aim to conserve a representative sample of the dry tropical montane forest and to protect the habitat of endemic species such as the white-winged guan [pava aliblanca] (Penelope albipennis). It occupies an area of 8,328 ha in the district of Incahuasi, province of Ferreñafe, department of Lambayeque. The reserve area begins at Higueron, near the confluence of the Moyan and Sangana rivers, and follows the course of the Moyan, upstream up to the hamlet of Laquipampa, at 900 m elevation.

The representative flora of the refuge are the following tree species: Peruvian sage or Holy wood [palo santo] (Bursera graveolens), Jamaican cherry [cerecillo] (Muntingia calabura), Spruce hualtaco [hualtaco] (Loxopterygium huasango), pasayo [pasayo] (Eryotheca ruizii), strangler ficus [higuerón] (Ficus nymphaeifolia), palo blanco [palo blanco] (Celtis triflora), maloxo [angolo] (Pithecellobium multiflorum), frejolillo [huayrul] (Erythrina smithiana). Typical shrubs are the guava tree [overo] (Cordia lutea) and brave cane [caña brava] (Ginerium sagittatum). Cactaceae include the Peruvian cactus [cactácea columnar] (Neoraimondia arequipensis) and the melon cactus [cactácea ovoide] (Melocactus sp.). The area features island hills, such as Cerro Lajas de Tongon and Cerro Nuevo Mundo, and several important colluvia.

Fig. 24   Active colluvium in the Laquipampa refuge.

The wildlife refuge protects the habitat of the white-winged guan [pava aliblanca] (Penelope albipennis), which had been listed as critically endangered (CE). It is also the habitat of the spectacled bear [oso de anteojos] (Tremarctos ornatus), the Northern anteater [oso hormiguero] (Tamandua mexicana), the Andean mountain cat [gato montés andino] (Leopardus jacobitus), the mountain lion [puma] (Puma concolor), and the dynamic collared peccary [sajino] (Tayassu tajacu), which always roam in large groups.

Fig. 25   Northern anteater (Tamandua mexicana) (Source: Google).

4.2.5   Swamp and wetlands

The study area is transversed by the Moyan and Sangana rivers, which join to form the La Leche river. These rivers are all perennial. The Laquipampa refuge features a few waterfalls (Catarata Lajas). The entire drainage basin is exorheic, with absence of significant swamps and wetlands.

4.2.6   Endangered species

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) publishes the "Red List of Threatened Species" (2009.1) (http://www.iucmredlist.org). The list divides species in seven extinction risk categories:

  1. Least Concern (LC)

  2. Near Threatened (NT)

  3. Vulnerable (VU)

  4. Endangered (EN)

  5. Critically Endangered (CR)

  6. Extinct in the Wild (EW)

  7. Extinct (EX)

The threatened categories are VU, EN, and CE, as shown in Fig. 26. Table 1 lists the conservation status of faunal species identified in this study.

Fig. 26   Extinction risk and threatened categories (Source: IUCN).

Table 1.   Conservation status of faunal species identified in this study.
Class Common name Local name(s) Scientific name Status
Birds white-winged guan pava aliblanca Penelope albipennis CR [5]
Peruvian plantcutter cortarrama Phytotoma raimondii EN [4]
Rufous flycatcher copetón rufo Myiarchus semirufus EN [4]
red-crown parrot loro de cabeza roja Amazona viridigenalis EN [4]
Tumbes tyrant tirano de Tumbes Tumbezia salvini NT [2]
pale-legged hornero chilala Furnarius leucopus LC [1]
long-tailed mockingbird calandria colilarga, chisco Mimus longicaudatus LC [1]
Tumbes swallow golondrina de Tumbes Tachycineta stolzmanni LC [1]
red breast peche rojo Sturnella loyca LC [1]
rock pigeon paloma Columba livia LC [1]
gray heron garza real Ardea cinerea LC [1]
woodpecker pajaro carpintero Picumnus lafresnayi LC [1]
mountain parakeet lorito montano verde esmeralda Psilopsiagon aurifrons LC [1]
Vulture buitre Coragyps atratus LC [1]
aplomado falcon halcón aplomado Falco femoralis LC [1]
Common black-hawk gavilán Buteogallus anthracinus LC [1]
red-tailed hawk guaraguao colirrojo Buteo jamaicensis LC [1]
white-edged oriole chiroque Icterus graceannae LC [1]
Reptiles Coral snake coralillo Micrurus tschudii NE [0]
Iguana lizard iguana Iguana iguana NE [0]
Leopard lizard pacaso Callopistes flavipunctatus NE [0]
Mammals spectacled bear oso de anteojos Tremarctos ornatus VN [3]
Peruvian desert fox zorro costeño peruano Pseudalopex sechurae NT [2]
squirrel ardilla Spermophilus lateralis LC [1]
Northern anteater oso hormiguero Tamandua mexicana LC [1]
white-tailed deer venado cola blanca Odocoileus virginianus LC [1]
mountain lion puma Puma concolor LC [1]
opossum comadreja Didelphis marsupialis LC [1]
Andean mountain cat gato montés andino Leopardus jacobitus NE [0]
collared peccary pecarí de collar, sajino Tayassu tajacu NE [0]

Table 2.   Conservation status of floral species identified in this study.
Class Common name Local name(s) Scientific name Status
Trees Peruvian sage or Holy Wood huayacán, or palo santo Guaiacum officinale EN [4]
Andean walnut nogal andino, cedro grande Juglans neotropica EN [4]
carob tree huarango, algarrobo americano Prosopis pallida NE [0]
South American Sapote sapote Capparis angulata NE [0]
acacia, or porknut faique Acacia macracantha NE [0]
Jamaican cherry, or strawberry tree cerecillo Muntingia calabura NE [0]
weeping willow sauce llorón Salix xsepulcralis NE [0]
Spruce hualtaco hualtaco Loxopterygium huasango NE [0]
Horse-eye bean, ormosia huayruro Ormosia coccinea NE [0]
Strangler fig higuerón Ficus cotinifolia NE [0]
Sandbox tree catahua Hura crepitans NE [0]
lipstick tree achiote Bixa Orellana NE [0]
balsa tree palo de balsa Ochroma pyramidale NE [0]
Mexican palo verde, or jellybean tree palo verde Parkinsonia aculeata, or Cercidium praecox NE [0]
white copal tree copal blanco, papelillo Bursera jorullense NE [0]
pasayo pasayo Eryotheca ruizii NE [0]
palo blanco palo blanco Calycophyllum multiflorum NE [0]
maloxo angolo Pithecellobium multiflorum NE [0]
frejolillo huayrul Erythrina smithiana NE [0]
Shrubs yellow cordia overo Cordia lutea NE [0]
caper bush vichayo Capparis ovalifolia NE [0]
pearlberry cuncuno Vallesia glabra NE [0]
chaquiro chaquiro Pithecellobium excelsum NE [0]
chope chopé Gustavia iquitosensis NE [0]
Cactaceae Peruvian cactus cactácea columnar Neoraimondia arequipensis NE [0]
strawberry pear pitahaya Hylocereus undatus NE [0]
Grasses caña brava caña brava Gynerium sagittatum NE [0]

4.3   Human resources setting

The La Leche river basin is located in the western slopes of the Western Range of the Peruvian Andes, in the departments of Lambayeque and Cajamarca, in northern Peru.

090704 18:30