Abstract

AZURDUY, Huascar  and  MAILLARD, Oswaldo. Granitic rock islands in the Chiquitana region: sites of conservation importance in Bolivia. Ecología en Bolivia [online]. 2022, vol.57, n.1, pp.39-50. ISSN 1605-2528.

The granite rock islands, known as lajas, are natural relicts of great historical and ecological value. Their presence enhances the high conservation value of the Chiquitano Dry Forest in Bolivia. Study of these highly specialized environments indicates that they contain elements that differ from the surrounding forest, as they provide a habitat for endemic species and specialized biota so adding to their high global value for conservation. This review presents an update of work related to granite rock outcrops in the Chiquitano region and reports a preliminary inventory of 3,282 sites totaling 11,425 ha, of which only 32% are within a protected area, something that demonstrates the need to establish protected areas related to this environment, which is currently critically endangered.

Keywords : Conservation; Protected areas; Rock outcrops; Rock environments.

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