A review of Peruvian flood plain forests : ecosystems, inhabitants and resource use

摘要: Abstract The lowland Peruvian Amazon remains sparsely populated and densely forested. Few roads exist rivers provide much of the infrastructure. Over 12% area is comprised flood plains inundated by larger rivers, but due to their easy access relatively fertile conditions, they a share resources extracted in region, sustain most rural villages. largest annually flooded land, constituting more than 60,000 km2, surrounds lower reaches Ucayali Maranon above confluence proper, including almost 90% 20,600 km2 large Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve. entire constantly reshaped erosion deposition two main also smaller which carry fewer sediments less nutrients. vegetation constitutes complex mosaic habitats defined combinations hydrological, physical, chemical biological characteristics. Sixteen 12 forest formations are classified described. Most plain inhabitants have lost native identity, descend mostly from Amerindians rather recent immigrants, preserve knowledge on environment its uses. They combine agriculture, fishery, hunting extraction other products, market increasing amounts these products. Growing populations an increase need for monetary incomes as well external economic interventions, increasingly endanger economically important plants, animals fishes. This even case within Reserve, making it urgent develop implement sound management systems marginal zones reserve, elsewhere plains.