Lomas de Lachay

Infobox_protected_area | name = Lomas de Lachay National Reserve
iucn_category = Ia


caption = Lomas de Lachay
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location = Lima Peru
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area = 520,7 km²
established = 1977
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The Lomas de Lachay is a national reserve in the foothills of the Huaral Province in Lima. The reserve is located 105 km (65 miles) north from the capital Lima and features a unique mist-fed ecosystem of wild plant and animal species. The National Reserve of Lachay was established June 21, 1977 by means of Supreme Law #310-77-AG. It expands across an area of 520.7 square kilometres. Its main purpose is to restore and protect the ecosystem of the Lomas de Lachay (Lachay hills).

The hills are a result of a combination of coastal climate factors, and subject to a peculiar geography. They originate from the primary spurring of the Andes, a location where they contact the clouds which cover the area the majority of the year. There are two distinct seasons in Lachay: the humid season (which is the most important), from approximately June to November and the dry season, from December to May. The first season is emphasized due to its ability to give life to the green vegetation and attract the fauna of the region, while the second season is noted for presenting a drying process which ends when the first fog appears in the fall.

In the Lomas de Lachay (Lachay Hills) there are 74 plant species registered, among them 25 are on their way to extinction. Among the most notable, you will find the Peruvian papaya ("Carica candicans"), "Capparis prisca", "Caesalpinia tinctoria" and the nettle "Loasa urens", which cover the reserve with yellow attractive flowers. Also, you can observe numerous gramineous, tillandsias and succulents.

The common mammals found here are the rodents, but you can also find other species like the Sechuran Zorro (fox) ("Pseudalopex sechurae"), the Andes Skunk ("Conepatus rex"), the mountain mouse ("Phyllotis" spp.) and the vizcacha ("Lagidium peruanum").

Throughout the reserve there exists approximately 55 bird species pertaining to 16 families, among them are: the Burrowing Owl ("Athene cunicularia"), the Andean Tinamou ("Nothoprocta pentlandii"), the American Kestrel ("Falco sparverius peruvianus") and diverse species of hummingbirds.

Among the most notorious reptiles, you can observe the Peruvian snake ("Bothrops pictus") and the Curl Tail Lizard ("Tropidurus" sp.). There are also many arthropods.

In the reserve you can find archeological paintings and remains from the Pre-Columbian cultures. At the same time, you can appreciate the huge granite and diorite rocks which have worn away over time leaving concavities and soft contours, which are of great geological interest.

The primary objectives of the Lachay National Reserve are to restore and conserve the wild flora and fauna, perform research in order to use the hills rationally and encourage the recreation to be in harmony with nature.