The tropical forests in the Lower Urubamba Region (LUR) in eastern Peru are some of the most species-rich and biologically diverse forests in the world. The LUR has been categorized as an important bird area by Birdlife International and a “hot spot” by Conservation International due to its high species diversity. Previous studies from the region suggest that this area is home to over 200 mammal, 600 bird, 100 amphibian, 100 reptile, and 80 fish species. Despite the biological importance of this area, no comprehensive long-term biological assessments or monitoring programs have ever been undertaken here.
In the LUR, the Biodiversity Assessment, Monitoring and Conservation Program (BAMCP) is being developed in a petroleum concession. A petroleum concession is an area of land leased by the government to petroleum companies for the purposes of exploration and potential extraction of petroleum products. Our study area is called “Block 57.” It comprises a 2,360-square-mile (6,110 square kilometer) mosaic of forest and river habitats within the Urubamba and Camisea river basins.
The BAMCP is being conducted through a partnership between the Smithsonian Institution’s CCES and Repsol Exploración Perú, and builds on the biodiversity partnership activities undertaken by the two organizations between 2006 and 2009 in Loreto, Peru. The overarching vision of the BAMCP is to demonstrate that with sound planning, commitment, and creative thinking, the program can contribute to biodiversity conservation in tropical forest environments by minimizing the affects of the company’s operations.
The goal of the BAMCP is to generate science-based information and knowledge that contributes to the conservation of biodiversity in the LUR. The BAMCP aims to:
- Increase knowledge and understanding of the status of biodiversity
- Increase understanding of the affects of exploration and extraction activities and integrate appropriate science and conservation-based mitigation activities into operations
- Improve the conservation of species and habitats through the design and development of biodiversity initiatives
- Provide professional training and capacity building to Peruvian counterparts
