Biomes / Ecosystems of South America

Amazônia—encompassing the Amazon rainforest, biome, basin, and river system—represents Earth's most magnificent and ecologically vital tropical region. This interconnected complex harbors unparalleled biodiversity while serving as a critical regulator of global climate and weather patterns. Often called "the lungs of the Earth," this vast region produces about 20% of the world's oxygen and stores 10-15% of global terrestrial carbon, crucial for climate stability. Its four components form a self-sustaining, complex ecosystem that has evolved over millions of years.

The Central Amazon Ecological Corridor (CAEC) is a vital and extensive protected area in Brazil. It encompasses a diverse range of ecosystems, habitats, and species within the Amazon Rainforest. Stretching across the heart of the Amazon Basin, this ecological corridor plays a significant role in preserving biodiversity, mitigating climate change, and promoting sustainable development in the region.

The Peruvian Amazon, known as "La Selva" (The Jungle), is a remarkable natural treasure, a living cathedral of biodiversity that evolved over millions of years. It stretches from the eastern Andes foothills to borders with Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, and Bolivia, covering Peru's largest part of the Amazon rainforest, the second-largest in the world after Brazil. La Selva is one of Peru's three main geographic regions, along with the arid Pacific coast (La Costa) and highland Andes (La Sierra).

The Amazon biome extends far beyond the iconic rainforest, encompassing a spectacular mosaic of distinct ecosystems. This continental-scale biome represents the world's largest tropical biome complex, where dense rainforests give way to seasonal savannas, montane cloud forests, and vast wetlands, each supporting specialized communities of plants and animals. The biome's remarkable diversity stems from millions of years of geological and climatic evolution, creating a patchwork of environments that ranges from floodplains to mountaintops, from blackwater swamps to grasslands.

The Amazon rainforest is the world's most complex ecosystem, spanning 5.5 million sq km in South America. It covers over half of Earth's remaining rainforest and is the most biodiverse tropical forest, with about 390 billion trees of 16,000 species. Functioning as a self-sustaining system, it creates weather, recycles nutrients efficiently, and supports intricate ecological relationships that evolved over millions of years. Despite poor soils, it shows nature's capacity for abundance through plant, animal, and microorganism partnerships.

Resting amidst the rugged slopes on both flanks of the Andes Mountains in southern South America, the Andean Patagonian Forest, known as Bosque Andino Patagónico, serves as a testament to the remarkable beauty and ecological abundance present in this distinctive temperate woodland. Spanning areas in southern Chile and Argentina, it claims the title of the southernmost forest on our planet.

The Atacama Desert is one of the driest places on Earth, located in northern Chile. It holds significant historical, cultural, and ecological importance. It was home to ancient civilizations, such as the Chinchorro and Atacameño, who adapted to its harsh conditions. The region is rich in ancient artifacts and sites reflecting the resilience and creativity of its early inhabitants. Despite its extreme aridity, the Atacama Desert surprisingly supports a diverse range of life, showing the tenacious spirit of life in tough environments.

The Atlantic Forest, or Mata Atlântica, is a poignant example of extraordinary biological richness and devastating human impact. Once a vast verdant tapestry stretching along Brazil's eastern and southeastern coastline, with tendrils extending into northeastern Argentina and eastern Paraguay, this unique biome has been drastically reduced by centuries of relentless deforestation driven by agricultural expansion, logging, industrial development, and urbanization, leaving behind a highly fragmented mosaic of isolated forest patches.

The Cerrado, a sprawling savanna ecoregion that blankets the heart of Brazil and spills over into eastern Bolivia and northeastern Paraguay, represents a realm of breathtaking biodiversity and ecological complexity often overshadowed by its more famous Amazonian neighbor. Far from being a uniform expanse of grasslands, this vast landscape is a captivating mosaic of habitats, ranging from dense gallery forests lining waterways to open grasslands dotted with gnarled, fire-adapted trees and seasonally flooded wetlands.

The Gran Chaco, a vast and enigmatic expanse, stretches across the heart of South America, encompassing eastern Bolivia, western Paraguay, northern Argentina, and smaller portions of the Brazilian states of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul, forming a subtle connection with the Pantanal wetlands. This extensive lowland, situated in the rain shadow of the majestic Central Andes, represents South America's second-largest forest after the Amazon, yet paradoxically stands as one of the most rapidly deforested regions on Earth.

Stretching across the expansive lowlands east of the towering Andes Mountains in northwestern South America, the Llanos emerge as a vast tropical grassland plain of remarkable ecological dynamism. Embracing a significant portion of both Colombia and Venezuela, this ecoregion of seasonally flooded savannas and gallery forests presents a vivid portrait of natural grandeur sculpted by the powerful Orinoco River system and the dramatic shifts between wet and dry seasons. The Llanos represent a crucial biome, essential for its environmental significance, its role in regional hydrology, and its economic importance to the nations it spans.

The Pantanal, the world's largest tropical wetland, unfolds as a colossal seasonal floodplain predominantly situated within Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul in Brazil's Center-West Region. However, its expansive reach extends into northeastern Paraguay and southeastern Bolivia, creating an ecological masterpiece that captivates with its diverse landscapes and vibrant ecosystems. This remarkable wetland, a dynamic region with distinct hydrological, geological, and ecological features, supports a rich array of wildlife and plant species.

The Páramo, or Andean Moorland, is a strikingly distinctive high-mountain biome nestled within the Neotropical realm, specifically gracing the upper reaches of the Andes Mountains in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. This remarkable grassland ecosystem, perched above the limits of continuous forest yet below the perpetual embrace of snow and ice, is globally renowned for its singular assemblage of flora and fauna, making it an indispensable cornerstone of the region's irreplaceable biodiversity and a vital contributor to its ecological stability.

The Patagonian Steppe, stretching across southern South America, is a significant temperate grassland ecosystem. This semi-arid landscape, shaped by the Andes and strong westerly winds, extends from the Colorado River in Argentina to the Strait of Magellan, covering parts of Argentina and Chile with windswept plains, volcanic plateaus, and shrublands. Often mischaracterized as barren, it supports rich biodiversity and unique ecological adaptations, serving as the economic backbone of South America's pastoral regions.

Along the Pacific coast of South America, stretching like a lush ribbon from southern Panama to northern Peru, lies one of Earth's most extraordinary and endangered natural treasures: the Tumbes-Chocó-Magdalena Biodiversity Hotspot. This remarkable region is more than just a conservation priority—it serves as a living laboratory of evolution, a refuge for numerous endemic species, and a vital battleground in the global effort to protect biodiversity. The Tumbes-Chocó-Magdalena is one of the most biologically important—and most threatened—regions on our planet.

The Yungas is a remarkable subtropical forest belt along the eastern slope of the Andes Mountains, spanning Peru, Bolivia, and northern Argentina. This unique natural region is a transitional zone, linking the Andean highlands to the lush eastern forests and creating a haven for biodiversity amidst its humid, subtropical climate. The Yungas are characterized by their dense vegetation and diverse ecosystems, which support a wide range of plant and animal species, making it a critical area for conservation.