Pampas del Heath

The Pampas del Heath are located along both sides of the Heath River, in Bolivia and Peru. They are among the last well-conserved Amazonian savannas, as virtually all others have been altered by the introductions of cattle or other agriculture.

Satellite Image of Pampas del Heath

On the Peruvian side, the plains are shrinking as the surrounding forests overtake them; the causes of this phenomenon are not completely understood, but its effect is to force the disappearance of the plants and animals found only in the savanna. The Bolivian Pampas del Heath are still healthy, and provide a unique opportunity to improve our understanding of how Amazon savannas function, and what is needed for their conservation.

Manned Wolf (Photo:Louise Emmons)

About two thirds of the Pampas are located within the boundaries of Bolivia's Madidi National Park; however, they are not immune to threats. A planned road that will connect La Paz to Cobija will open the area to settlement, with potentially explosive deforestation and savanna conversion. The pressures represent a threat not only to the pampas and forests outside Madidi National Park, but to the park itself. Rare species as the Maned Wolf and Marsh Deer would disapear without the shelter that these Pampas provide them.

ACA's work in the Pampas del Heath has two major goals:

Blue pool in gallery forest draining
pampa at Parabas (Photo: Louise Emmons)

1. Conduct research that will increase understanding of the pampas, how they interact with surrounding forests, and what drives their conversion to shrubs and forests. This knowledge will result in improved capacity to manage and conserve the pampas, and to mitigate adverse development effects. The lessons learned will also be relevant for the recuperation and management of the Peruvian Pampas.

2. Promote on-the-ground conservation of the pampas by:

Supporting protection of the northern portion of Madidi National Park,
Collaborating with other stakeholder groups and organizations interested in the conservation of the region, and
Identifying and pursuing opportunities to expand areas under conservation status in the region.

By preserving the Pampas del Heath, the Amazon Conservation Association seeks to guarantee the survival of these unique ecosystems and their endemic faunas and floras.

Perico also known as Sloth (Photo: Louise Emmons)