Biosphere Reserves in South America

Nestled in the heart of the Valparaíso Region in Chile, the La Campana-Peñuelas Biosphere Reserve is a testament to the country's commitment to preserving its ecological treasures. Comprising the La Campana National Park and the Lago Peñuelas National Reserve, this UNESCO-declared Biosphere Reserve weaves a rich tapestry of landscapes, biodiversity, and cultural history.

With altitudes reaching almost 6,000 m (19,685 ft), the Laguna Blanca Biosphere Reserve features a typical arid Andean landscape, with a saline lake in the main depression and surrounding rocky formations. It is located in the Andean natural region of northwest Argentina.

The Laguna de los Pozuelos Natural Monument and Biosphere Reserve are located in the extreme north of Jujuy, Argentina, in the highlands of the southern central Andes. The highland lagoon and drainage basin is a conservation priority within the Central Andean dry Puna ecoregion.

The Laguna Oca y Herraduras del Río Paraguay Biosphere Reserve is located along a meandering bend of the Paraguay River near the city of Formosa in northern Argentina. The area of the Reserve constitutes part of the Paraguay River floodplain and includes the Oca Lagoon.

Laguna San Rafael National Park and Biosphere Reserve in southern Chile is an area of highly varied topography and scenic beauty. The area includes the Continental Patagonian Range, the Insular Patagonian Range, the Central Plain, and the Patagonian Glaciers.

Nestled in northwestern Argentina, the Las Yungas Biosphere Reserve is a breathtaking embodiment of the region's rich biodiversity and cultural heritage. This vast protected area encompasses a landscape tapestry that seamlessly blends the high Andean mountain ecosystems with the lush subtropical lowlands, creating a unique transitional zone between the drier Gran Chaco region and the arid, high-altitude Puna region.

Lauca National Park is situated in the northern part of Chile within the Andes mountains. The Lauca Biosphere Reserve comprises three protected areas: Lauca National Park, Las Vicuñas National Reserve, and Salar de Surire Natural Monument.

The Macizo del Cajas Biosphere Reserve in southern Ecuador contains many ecosystems, ranging from high mountains to coastal and marine areas along the Pacific. It includes El Cajas National Park, which features tundra vegetation on a spectacular jagged landscape.

Manú National Park and Biosphere Reserve is a world-renowned haven of biodiversity at the meeting point of the Tropical Andes and the Amazon Basin in southwestern Peru. A vast, isolated watershed, the still-roadless property has been spared from most human impacts. From its altitudinal diversity to the mysteries of Paititi, the 'Lost City of the Incas,' an intricate collage of ecosystems, wildlife, and indigenous communities call this sanctuary home.

Nestled within the Chaco savanna region just north of Mar de Plata on the Atlantic coast in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, the Mar Chiquita Biosphere Reserve is a testament to the remarkable biodiversity and ecological significance of Argentina's coastal plains. Comprising the 'Parque Atlántico Mar Chiquita,' this reserve boasts a rich tapestry of habitats, ranging from expansive savannas to hyper-saline lakes, offering sanctuary to a diverse array of flora and fauna.