High Andean Lakes - A Global Ecoregion
Unique freshwater systems located at very high altitudes
Snapshot: Ecoregion 183
Size:
320,000 sq. km (123,000 sq. miles)
Habitat type:
Large Lakes
Geographic Location:
Western South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru
Conservation Status:
Critical/Endangered
Quiz Time!
Which is the largest lake in this ecoregion?
Answer:
The largest and deepest lake found here is Lake Titicaca that lies at an elevation of 12,500 feet (3,800 m) and contains freshwater. About 25 rivers empty into Lake Titicaca but only one carries water out, as up to 95 percent water evaporates because of the Andes' hot sun and strong winds.
About the Area
Situated in the Andes, this ecoregion comprises many freshwater and saline lakes, including some on the highest elevations in the world.
These high altitude lakes, such as Lake Titicaca in Peru and Bolivia, are not particularly rich in species but they contain many endemic fish and mollusks.Local Species
Lake Titicaca hosts 23 endemic species of the fish genus Orestias and 15 endemic gastropods. The climbing (Astroblepidae) and pencil (Trichomycteridae) catfishes are also characteristic of the high-altitude lakes and streams of the Andes.
Numerous Orestine fishes such as Orestias chungarensis, O. laucaensis, and O. pentlandii occur in these still-water habitats.
Also found here are the threatened James (Phoenicopterrus jamesi) and Andean (P. andinus) flamingoes, the endemic horned coot (Fulica cornuta), and the more common Chilean flamingo (P.chilensis).
Threats
The fragile systems of these high elevation lakes are threatened by human activities such as mining, agriculture, livestock grazing, untreated sewage disposal, and industrial pollution.
In addition, overfishing and introduction of exotic species threaten fish populations, particularly in Lake Titicaca.
Resources
• NationalGeographic.com
