Punas

Puna, with the plural punas, refers to a high-altitude grassland and shrubland ecosystem on the central Andean plateau of South America. The term derives from the Quechua puna, meaning high plain or elevated plateau. Punas stretch across parts of Peru, Bolivia, northern Chile, and northwestern Argentina, forming a continuous but varied high-altitude belt.

Typically located between about 3,200 and 4,500 meters above sea level, punas experience cold temperatures, strong winds, and relatively low, seasonal precipitation. Annual rainfall generally ranges from 200 to 600 millimeters, with pronounced dry seasons. Soils are often shallow and nutrient-poor, and frost and freeze-thaw cycles are common, limiting the growing season for many plants.

Flora in the punas is dominated by tussock grasses such as Festuca and Stipa, along with cushion plants and specialized shrubs like Puya. Lichens and mosses are common on exposed substrates. The fauna includes native camelids such as vicuña, guanaco, llama, and alpaca, as well as viscachas and Andean predators. Bird life is adapted to cold, windy conditions, with a variety of high-altitude species.

Historically, punas have supported Indigenous communities, notably Aymara and Quechua populations, through transhumant herding of llamas and alpacas. In modern times, grazing pressure, mining activities, road development, and climate change affect some areas. Portions of punas lie within protected areas and are subject to conservation and sustainable-use policies.

Conservation status varies regionally; key protected zones include initiatives in Bolivia, Chile, and Peru. Ongoing research and management aim to balance ecological integrity with traditional livelihoods and regional development.