Muy buenos días, fellow Ecologists! The Junín National Reserve, Historic Sanctuary of Chacamarca, Denver Zoo, and Peace Corps are teaming up to conduct the 1st EVER BioBlitz in the Tropical Andes of Central Perú June 18-19, 2016. BioBlitz is an all-taxa inventory in which teams of volunteers, each led by a subject matter expert, find and identify as many species as possible within a 24-hour period.
We are currently inviting experienced and amateur VOLUNTEER FIELD BIOLOGISTS from a wide range of disciplines to participate in the 1st EVER High-Andean BioBlitz in Junín, Perú. This is a great opportunity to help document 2 natural protected areas' biodiversity and to share your knowledge and enthusiasm in the field, as well as the potential to describe new species. The Junín National Reserve aims to conserve the natural resources of Lake Junín, Perú's second largest and highest altitude lake, recognized as a RAMSAR site in 1997. This lacustrine ecosystem hosts a significant diversity of flora and fauna, including 4 Endangered/endemic species. The Historic Sanctuary of Chacamarca, located just south of the Junín National Reserve, aims to preserve the natural setting where the Battle of Junín took place on August 6th, 1824. Chacamarca is home to diverse populations of High-Andean birds, mammals, invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles and vegetation. The Junín National Reserve and Historic Sanctuary of Chacamarca are High-Andean ecosystems located in the Departments of Junín and Pasco (approximately 5-6 hours east of Lima by way of the Carretera Central) at analtitude of 4105 m.s.n.m (13,500 ft above sea level). These unique High-Andean ecosystems unknowingly go neglected, with almost all of the current research being devoted to the Amazon Rainforest. Unfortunately, these understudied, biodiversity rich ecosystems are severely threatened by habitat loss, contamination, overexploitation of resources through cultural practices, invasive species, and climate change. Please share this with others who may be interested to help make this event a success. You can email [email protected] with general questions or for logistical questions about participating as an expert or amateur. We hope to see you at the 1st EVER High-Andean BioBlitz June 18-19!
