Peru : Park Guides : Pantanos de Villa

The Pantanos de Villa Reserve Area was established May 29, 1989 by means of  Ministerial Resolution #00144-89-AG/DGFF. Since January 20, 1997, the RAMSAR Convention has recognized this area as Internationally Important Humid Soil for aquatic birds.

Located in the Lima region, the province of Lima and the Chorrillos district, it covers a span of 396 hectares.

It is the only protected area which exists within the urban area of Lima, and for this reason it is of great scientific, educative, and recreational value to the locals. This humid land is an integral part of the migratory  corridor which numerous species of birds follow along the coast of the Neotropical region. Los Pantanos de Villa (The Marshes of Villa) are found integrated with the hydrological system of the Rímac River, whose underground waters up crop in a natural depression. 

The flora is represented by 67 plant species and grouped by characteristic associations:  among the sandy grounds, the predominating species are the saltgrass (Distichlis spicata); among the mirroring waters you will find the cattail (Typha dominguensis), and in the shrub-like area which is characterized by the appearance of the thick underbrush and swampy terrain live the Cyperaceae in saturated grounds characterized by the presence of  the bulrush ( Scirpus americanus) and Paspalum vaginatum.

The fauna is primarily represented by 178 bird species, of which 77 are migratory. Among the migratory, we can mention the great grebe (Podiceps major), the pied-billed grebe (Podilymbus podiceps), the snowy egret (Egretta thula), the black-crowned night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax), the cinnamon teal (Anas cyanoptera), the osprey (Pandion haliaetus), the common moorhen (Gallinula chloropus), the American coot (Fulica americana), the sanderling (Calidris alba), the greater yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca) and the gray gull (Larus modestus). In addition to the birds, there exists 12 fish species, and some reptiles and rodents.

Along the food chain of the Pantanos de Villa ecosystem, the fish constitute an important link, being the principle maintenance food for the birds. As it is known, this humid land is made up of lotic and lentic aquatic environments, among it there are reports of 14 fish species, split into 12 genus and 7 families; their distribution is influenced by salinity, riverside vegetation, the support of the water supply, and the eating habits of the fish fauna which consists of omnivorous, herbivorous, and carnivorous with insectivorous tendencies. 

Among the principle objectives of the Pantanos de Villa Reserve you will find the protection of the bird fauna, migratory and residents to the aquatic ecosystem, the preservation of important associations of the wild flora which grow within the aquatic ecosystem of the coast, and protection and care for the landscape to encourage educative activities and tourism.