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54-524: Tamshiyacu Tahuayo Regional Conservation Area spans an area of 4,200.8 km (420,080.25 ha; 1'038,040.9 acre; 1,621.94 sq miles) comprising floodable and upland forest of the Peruvian Amazon . It is known for its abundant wildlife. It has high levels of biodiversity. Hundreds of species of mammals , primates , birds , fish and reptiles have been documented, including several that are endemic as well as either endangered or threatened. The reserve

108-538: A close relative, is often found with cedro and both suffer damage from the same pest, the mahogany shootborer ( Hypsipyla grandella ). The tree is monoecious semi- deciduous ranging in height from 10 to 30 m (30 to 100 ft). The trunk has a thick grey–brown bark, with longitudinal irregular grain. Pinnately compound leaves, grouped towards the end of the branches, 15–50 cm (6–20 in) long, with pairs of scythe-shaped leaflets, lanceolate to oblong, 7–15 cm (3–6 in) × 3–5 cm (1–2 in) with

162-497: A new species of saki monkey being described by Dr. Janice Chism (Winthrop University). Some of the wildlife that inhabits the ACRCTT area are monkeys the huapo Colorado or red bald uakari ( Cacajao calvus ucayalii ), the squirrel monkey ( Saimiri sciureus ), the red howler monkey ( Alouatta seniculus ); the pink dolphin ( Inia geoffrensis ), the grey dolphin ( Sotalia fluviatilis ), the brown-throated sloth ( Bradypus variegatus ),

216-591: A troublesome invasive species in the Galapagos Islands where it forms a barrier to the migration of tortoises. Cedro is always found naturally on well-drained soils, often but not exclusively on limestone ; it tolerates a long dry season but does not flourish in areas of rainfall greater than about 3,000 millimetres (120 in) or on sites with heavy or waterlogged soils. Individual trees are generally scattered in mixed semi-evergreen or semi-deciduous forests dominated by other species. Mahogany ( Swietenia sp.),

270-674: Is a species showing a high degree of population variation. Cedro is a tree of the New World tropics, appearing in forests of moist and seasonally dry subtropical or tropical biomes (24) from latitude 26°N on the Pacific coast of Mexico, throughout Central America and the Caribbean, to the lowlands and foothills of most of South America up to 1,200 metres (3,900 ft) altitude, finding its southern limit at about latitude 28°S in Argentina. It has become

324-541: Is also called Rupa-Rupa region , Andean jungle , ceja de selva . This ecoregion extends into the eastern foothills of the Andes , between 1,000 and 3,800 m above the sea level. The eastern slopes of the Andes are home to a great variety of fauna and flora because of the different altitudes and climates within the region. Temperatures are warm in the lowlands and cooler in higher altitudes. There are many endemic fauna because of

378-714: Is covered by the Amazon rainforest , more than in any other country. According to the Research Institute of the Peruvian Amazon ( Instituto de Investigaciones de la Amazonía Peruana , IIAP), the spatial delineation of the Peruvian Amazon is as follows: The Peruvian Amazon is traditionally divided into two distinct ecoregions: The lowland jungle (in Spanish Selva Baja ) is also known as Omagua region , Walla , Anti , Amazonian rainforest or Amazon basin. This ecoregion

432-409: Is one of the most biologically diverse areas on Earth . As a nation, Peru has the largest number of bird species in the world and the third-largest number of mammals ; 44% of bird species and 63% of mammal species inhabit the Peruvian Amazon. Peru also has a very high number of species of butterflies , orchids , and other organisms. Although it is the largest region of Peru, the Peruvian Amazon

486-608: Is possible to visit the ACRCTT year-round, however, the busiest season for visitors is from June to August, this is also the high tourist season throughout Peru. As of 2018, there are several tourism facilities operating in areas near the ACRCTT with the ability to offer excursions into the reserve. Most tourism facilities are a 3-4 hour speed boat ride from Iquitos. Many of these lodges offer private bungalows with private bathrooms and most lodges have electricity, some, via solar power. Tahuayo Lodge, Grand Amazon Lodge, Muyuna Lodge , Curassow Lodge, Aqua Expeditions Lodge are all built within

540-471: Is potentially oil-rich, there are also many indigenous peoples living within the Amazon rainforest. The Camisea Gas Project on Lot 88 impacts the daily lives of indigenous residents. Project Camisea has numerous economic benefits, including savings of up to $ 4 billion in energy costs, however the environmental and cultural payoffs are widespread. In 2008, 150,000 square kilometers was set aside for oil drilling in

594-504: Is shown through atmosphere and water pollution , directly impacting human, animal, and plant lives in the area and beyond Much of this contamination is a result of lack of education by the people directly mining the gold in Peru. The harmful impacts of gold mining in Madre De Dios can be seen from space. Oil extraction is a critical threat to the health of Peruvian Amazonia. While the land

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648-457: Is the largest of Peru, standing between 80 and 1,000 meters above sea level . It has very warm weather with an average temperature of 28 °C, high relative humidity (over 75%) and yearly rainfall of approximately 260 cm (100 in). Its soils are very heterogeneous, but almost all have river origins. Because of high temperatures and high rainfall, they are poor soils with few nutrients. The jungle contains long and powerful rivers such as

702-570: Is the least populated. It is home to approximately 5% of the country's population. Many indigenous peoples , such as the Aguaruna , Cocama-Cocamilla and the Urarina , inhabit the jungle, some in relative isolation from the rest of the world. The primary cities located in the Peruvian Amazon include: In the 1730s, Roman Catholic Franciscan missionaries established missions in the Gran Pajonal , but

756-440: Is the source of its popular name, Spanish-cedar (it resembles the aroma of the unrelated true cedars ( Cedrus spp.) Cedro works easily and makes excellent plywood and veneer and would be more widely used if it could be successfully plantation grown. This plant is often used for honey production ( beekeeping ) and humidor construction. It is occasionally used for tops or veneers on some kinds of electric guitars . The wood

810-576: The Amazon rainforest in Peru , east of the Andes and Peru's borders with Ecuador , Colombia , Brazil , and Bolivia . This region comprises 60% of the country and is marked by a large degree of biodiversity. Peru has the second-largest portion of the Amazon rainforest after the Brazilian Amazon . Most Peruvian territory is covered by dense forests on the east side of the Andes, yet only 5% of Peruvians live in this area. More than 60% of Peruvian territory

864-765: The Apurimac , Mantaro , Amazon , Urubamba , Ucayali , Huallaga , Marañón , Putumayo , Yavarí , Napo , Pastaza , Madre de Dios , Manu , Purus , and Tigre . The Apurímac River is the source of the Amazon River. The Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve , the Allpahuayo-Mishana National Reserve and the Tamshiyacu Tahuayo Regional Conservation Area are within the forest. The highland jungle (in Spanish Selva Alta )

918-588: The Iquitos várzea ecoregion. ACRCTT has many world records on diversity of plants, primates and mammals species. ACRCTT has habitat that supports a known 1650 species of plants, however it is estimated that there are 2500-3500 species of plants in ACRCTT. It is possible to find trees such cedar ( Cedrela odorata ), mahogany ( Swietenia macrophylla ), and others. In 2003 the Chicago Field Museum’s Rapid Biological Inventory, found in

972-469: The ACRCTT 240 species of fish, 77 species of amphibians, 45 species of reptiles, 400 species of birds, and 39 species of terrestrial mammals, including 14 species of primates. Subsequent research has increased the totals to over 110 species of terrestrial mammals (Michael Valqui, doctoral thesis, University of Florida), over 600 species of birds (Dr. Carol Foss, Noam Shaney, Alfredo Begazo, Josias Tello, Andy Bicerra) and at least 16 species of primates, including

1026-453: The Amazon River. ACRCTT has great biodiversity and spans over an important flyway of migratory birds hence it is popular for bird watching and bird photography also. Peruvian Amazon Peruvian Amazonia ( Spanish : Amazonía del Perú ), informally known locally as the Peruvian jungle ( Spanish : selva peruana ) or just the jungle ( Spanish : la selva ), is the area of

1080-519: The Area de Conservation Regional Communal Tamshiyacu Tahuayo (ACRCTT). ACRCTT is located within the Department of Loreto, in the north of Peru. It is 420,080.25 ha (4,200.8 km; 1’038,040.9 acres) in area. The reserve comprises rivers , lakes , canals, oxbow lakes , swamps , several types of upland and lowland forests including varzea , igapo , and terra firme. The conservation area includes part of

1134-575: The FTA included a number of binding commitments to ensure environmental protection, focussing on the Peruvian forestry sector. Both parties agreed, amongst others, on the following measures: establishing an independent forestry oversight body, penalising those who committed logging crimes, creating new (and a better implementation of existing) laws, developing an anti-corruption plan and the US would provide monetary help. Yet

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1188-582: The RCTT were funded by the Rainforest Conservation Fund (RCF), based in Chicago and headed by Neise. Unfortunately, during the first ten years of its creation the legal protection of the RCTT failed as commercial loggers and fisheries exploited many resources. The situation was made worse due to the anti-conservationist sentiments heading the regional government of Loreto. The governor at the time, Robinson,

1242-734: The Regional Government of Loreto signed the Ordenanza Regional 011-2007-GRL-CR that approved the technical proposal for the establishment of the protected area. The proposal was signed at a ceremony held at Amazonia Expeditions Amazon Research Center. A few years later on May 15, 2009 the proposal was ratified by the national government of Peru in Lima, the Ministry of Environment signed the Decreto Supremo 010-2009-MINAM, law that officially created

1296-486: The Tahuayo River to develop a plan to have the region recognized as a community reserve. A few years later the passage of Propuesta Tecnia by the province of Maynas become a reality. On June 19, 1991 with the enactment of Executive Resolution #080-91-CR-GRA-P. The reserve was declared a community reserve and named Reserva Comunal Tamshiyacu-Tahuayo (RCTT) after two of its major boundary rivers. Initial conservation efforts in

1350-521: The United States to further study the mammalian ecology. Evidence of the regions ecological importance continued to grow. Additionally, local villages of the Tahuayo River and the Blanco River had long grown tired of the exploitation and degradation of natural resources in the area which had started in the 1970s. In the late 1980s conservationist Greg Neise and Richard Bodmer worked with the communities of

1404-631: The Western Amazon have been extracted, so there is potential for further illegal exploration in undiscovered areas. Cedrela odorata Cedrela odorata , commonly known as Spanish cedar , Cuban cedar , or cedro in Spanish , is a commercially important species of tree in the chinaberry family , Meliaceae native to the Neotropics . The genus Cedrela has undergone two major systematic revisions since 1960. The most recent revision reduced

1458-484: The Western Amazon, and today that number has grown exponentially to over 730,000 square kilometers Direct destruction and deforestation often comes from the creation of access roads for oil and gas extraction. These roads then become catalysts for other illegal industries such as logging and gold mining The plot of land where Camisea is located is on one of the most highly prioritized areas for biodiversity and conservation. In addition, these oil extraction projects impact

1512-547: The ban, international institutions revealed their severe concerns about the state of the Peruvian timber industry. In particular the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), started paying extra attention to Peru as the trade in mahogany falls under CITES’ regulation. Albeit the fact that from then on, one needed special permits for harvesting and exporting any endangered species,

1566-620: The base obliquely truncated and asymmetric. Cedrela odorata is the most commercially important and widely distributed species in the genus Cedrela . Known as Spanish cedar in English commerce, the aromatic wood is in high demand in the American tropics because it is naturally termite - and rot-resistant. An attractive, moderately lightweight wood (specific gravity 0.4), its primary use is in household articles used to store clothing. Cedro heartwood contains an aromatic and insect -repelling resin that

1620-650: The border areas of the reserve as no new construction is permitted within the reserves formal boundaries. The only tourism facility located entirely within the reserve is Amazonia Expeditions secondary lodge, the Amazon Research Center Lodge, this is the only man made structure that exists within the over 1 million acre conservation area as it was grandfathered in after the creation of the reserve. Visitors partake in boating on rivers, lagoons and oxbow, hiking and camping , these activities are focused on wildlife observation. Also travelers may fish and navigate

1674-516: The capybara ( Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris ), the spectacled caiman ( Caiman crocodilus ), the black caiman ( Melanosuchus niger ), the South American tapir ( Tapirus terrestris ), the giant river otter ( Pteronura brasiliensis ), the giant anteater ( Myrmecophaga tridactyla ), giant armadillo ( Priodontes maximus ), jaguar ( Panthera onca ), the Amazonian manatee ( Trichechus inunguis ),

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1728-447: The congressional passage of the FTA'. Notwithstanding who was right, the FTA has not prevented illegal timber trade between Peru and the US. At least 35% of the Peruvian timber exports to the US between 2008 and 2010, contained illegal wood. This percentage however, only covers the trade in species that are regulated by the CITES. As only very few types of timber fall under this legislation,

1782-408: The country through: fish stock decline, deforestation, pollution, disease and death of indigenous people, and roads and migration. The World Wildlife Federation concluded that the government has very little power over these oil sanctions, and there are countless loopholes in the policy, which makes stopping them in Peru extraction extremely difficult. Additionally, only seven percent of the oil blocs in

1836-549: The early 1980s biologist Pekka Soini (who later became renowned for his conservation work with Amazon turtles in the Pacaya Samiria) and his assistant Rogelio Castro, conducted the first primate population survey under the auspices of IVITA (the Peruvian Instituto Veterinario de Investigaciones Tropicales y de Altura). In 1984 University of Illinois primatologist Paul Garber and his student Richard Bodmer came from

1890-449: The fact that the Peruvian government claims that it does not know anything about the method used by these companies, it is common-knowledge. The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) provided a clear picture of this mechanism in their report The Laundering Machine. According to them, the biggest flaw in the Peruvian system for years has been the granting of logging permits: 'Concessionaires submit for approval lists that do not exist in

1944-538: The famous environmental activist Edwin Chota. These leaders were asking for governmental protection against illegal loggers, after being threatened several times. Partly due to this, illegal loggers are being blamed for the assassination. In an attempt to support local incomes in the Amazon, the Peruvian government granted non-transferable contracts to some farmers to perform small-scale logging activities. Soon however, big logging companies started paying individual loggers for

1998-565: The forestry sector was still far from sustainable. Although it is understandable that illegal logging cannot be stopped easily in the Peruvian Amazons (an inaccessible area bigger than Spain), the illegal exportation of timber is supposed to be more difficult; the shipments are huge and there are very few routes from the Amazons to the coast. Nevertheless, until now it has been relatively easy for companies to ship and export illegal timber. Despite

2052-636: The gathering of rubber during the Amazon rubber boom . Over the last decades illegal logging has become a serious problem in the Peruvian Amazon. In 2012 the World Bank estimated that 80% of Peru's timber exports are illegally harvested. This uncontrolled deforestation could negatively affect the habitats of indigenous tribes, the Peruvian biodiversity and contribute to climate change . Moreover, illegal deforestation might lead to more violent crimes . This has already been demonstrated on 1 September 2014, when four indigenous leaders were murdered, including

2106-526: The gold mining business because of the great financial gain. With the Interoceanic Highway available, "30,000 miners are estimated to be in operation without legal permits." More mercury is being imported into the country than ever before for mining purposes because of the price increase. In mining, mercury is used to "amalgamate gold particles and then burned off – generally without even rudimentary technology". The import of mercury for this purpose

2160-451: The isolation caused by the rugged terrain of the area. Within the Amazon rainforest there are several other types of forest but they all have one characteristic in common: abundant rains. Over the course of a year, a portion of tropical forest will receive between 1,500 and 3,000 mm of rain. This creates the typical tropical atmosphere of a rainforest, with an average temperature of around 24 °C or more. The Peruvian Amazon jungle

2214-401: The logging sector. In the subsequent years however, the situation in the Peruvian timber industry only deteriorated. To some extent this can be explained by the fact that Brazil illegalised the exports of mahogany (one of the most valuable and endangered types of wood in the world) from 2001 on. This Brazilian ban is likely to have caused the increase in Peruvian mahogany exports. Soon after

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2268-492: The mid-1970s. Between 1980 and 1990 the importance of conserving the area was highlighted due its unique and vast biodiversity, especially the high diversity of primates as the threatened red bald uakari ( Cacajao calvus ucayalii ), endemic to Peru, as well as other species recently recorded as the Ranitomeya uakarii . During the 1980s, the Peruvian government noted the unusual number of primates produced by this region and so in

2322-617: The missions were destroyed in the 1740s by the Asháninka under the leadership of Juan Santos Atahualpa . Several Spanish military expeditions tried to suppress the rebellion but failed or were defeated. The rebellion destroyed the missionary enterprise and left the Gran Pajonal in Asháninka control for 150 years although they suffered from periodic epidemics of European diseases and in the late 19th century from slave raids by businesses engaged in

2376-408: The number of species in the genus to seven (Styles, 1981). Cedrela odorata L., contains 28 other synonyms, including C. mexicana M. J. Roem. The taxon " C. angustifolia ," a very vigorous type now in demand because of its apparent resistance to the shootborer, was left in an indeterminate status due to insufficient herbarium material. The result is that C. odorata as now constituted

2430-412: The other hand, the FTA caused a lot of social unrest as indigenous groups expected the FTA to 'give incentives for further and irreversible destruction of virgin rainforest'. Local communities were not the only ones who criticised the agreement. In 2010 Public Citizen published an article, which stated that, despite all promises, 'environmental and labour conditions in Peru have deteriorated rapidly since

2484-556: The permit (which is only possible by going to this place). With not more than a hundred environmental prosecutors in Peru, it is not surprising that both methods are far from effective. The international attention levels increased again in 2007, when Peru and the United States (US) agreed on a new Free Trade agreement (FTA), which was implemented in 2009. According to the United States Trade Representative (USTR)

2538-488: The real percentage of illegally harvested timber in Peru is assumed to be significantly higher. Illegal gold mining is rampant among the Madre de Dios Region of Peru, and is extremely harmful to the environment. Individuals are mining more gold each year because of the exponential price hike in this commodity – a 360% surge in the last ten years. This price surge is driving many people who often are not able to attain jobs into

2592-416: The real world, and complicit authorities approve the extraction of this non-existent wood'. These permits allow companies to transport almost all sorts of wood (both legal and illegal) out of the country. There are only two ways to stop illegal loggers: catching them in the act, or, in case of controlling a shipment, environmental prosecutors have to prove that the timber does not come from the place written on

2646-459: The results are ambiguous. On the one hand proponents claim that the forestry sector experienced significant improvements. Some (small) improvements are indeed visible. With the formation of the Supervisory Body of Forest and Wildlife Resources (OSINFOR), the first promise was met. Next to this, US officials started training Peruvian law enforcement officers, although only on a minor scale. On

2700-499: The use of their contracts and established an illegal, large-scale logging industry . In 1992 the National Institute of Natural Resources (INRENA) was founded to guarantee a more sustainable use of national resources. Yet, this institution has never been able to carry out its task due to several reasons. First of all, INRENA lacked sufficient resources compared with the magnitude of their responsibilities. Next to this, corruption

2754-534: The wattled curassow ( Crax globulosa ), the hoatzin ( Opisthocomus hoazin ), the harpy eagle ( Harpia harpyja ), among others. ACRCTT is located on the Amazon rainforest , near the Amazon River . This protected area is located on the lowland jungle (Spanish: selva baja) also known as Omagua region or Amazon basin. It has annual temperatures ranging from 25 °C (77 °F) to 33 °C (91 °F) and an annual rainfall of 3,000 millimetres (120 in) It

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2808-509: Was a problem in several layers of the organisation. Moreover, until recently, INRENA was part of the Ministry of Agriculture. This suggests that INRENA was not completely independent; it was housed in an institution that had to safeguard the interest of the agricultural sector, which could be conflicting with INRENA's objective. In 2000 Peru modified the Forestry and Wildlife Law in order to improve

2862-427: Was established to conserve ecosystems of upland and floodable rainforests, as well as ecological and evolutionary processes of the area, guaranteeing the sustainable use of the wildlife by the local population. Tamshiyacu Tahuayo has several research and tourist activities focused on wildlife-spotting, including camping, hiking, boating, bird watching and fishing. Much research had been conducted in this area since

2916-428: Was opposed to expanding or even honoring any existing conservation measures. The reserve was on the brink of collapse. However, in 2006 the election of pro-conservation candidate Yvan Vasquez as regional president of Loreto renewed support for Tahuayo conservation. Soon after Vasquez election the reserve was expanded in size to over a million acres (over 440,000 hectares) and given added legal protection. On May 21, 2007,

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