The Central Andes of Peru: a key area for the conservation of Polylepis forest biodiversity

Polylepis forests are threatened high Andean ecosystems that harbour unique species of flora and fauna. However, there is little
information on the avifauna associated with these forests in the Central Andes of Peru. We evaluated 12 bird communities
in the Junín, Lima and Huancavelica departments of Peru and recorded richness-abundance data that were used to perform
an analysis of α- and γ-diversity using Hill numbers. In addition, we built two species matrices (presence-absence data) for
three previously identified key bird conservation areas and our study area, first with the species that regularly inhabit the
Polylepis forests and second with the species of conservation interest. We found that the Polylepis forests of the Central
Andes of Peru have a high diversity of birds. Some of these birds have a strong affinity for Polylepis forests, and another
group is typical of the tree line of the Yungas. Moreover, we identified a unique set of 27 species of conservation interest
in this region. Since the Central Andes of Peru also harbour three endemic species of Polylepis, it should be considered an
important area for the conservation of high Andean biodiversity.