In the mountains of southern Peru, the communities of Puna Ayllu, Ura Ayllu, Cojene-Rotojoni, Puna Laqueque, Huancasayani Cumani, and Ñacoreque keep alive an ancestral agricultural system that is now considered an example of environmental conservation and adaptation to climate change.
Located in the district of Cuyocuyo, about four hours from Juliaca, the historic terraces shape the mountain slopes and allow for the utilization of different ecological levels. Thanks to this traditional management, food production coexists with the protection of ecosystems of high biological value.
For this reason, these communities have been internationally recognized for their contribution to the conservation of biodiversity and for preserving knowledge inherited from previous generations that remain relevant in the face of current environmental challenges.
A biological corridor between the Andes and the Amazon
The Terraces of Cuyocuyo cover more than 11,000 hectares in a transition zone between the high plateau near Lake Titicaca and the Amazon. This strategic location favors an extraordinary diversity of species.
Moreover, studies conducted in the region recorded more than 100 bird species and a wide variety of mammals, including the Andean bear, puma, taruca, and Andean cat. Additionally, the remnants of queñua forests and the bofedales provide refuge and food for numerous wild species.
On the other hand, the local flora also possesses a tremendous wealth. More than a hundred medicinal plants used by the communities have been identified, some of which are categorized as threatened and protected by international conservation agreements.
Native seeds and traditional knowledge in the face of climate change
The agricultural diversity constitutes another pillar of this cultural landscape. At different altitudes, varieties of potatoes, corn, oca, olluco, and mashua are cultivated, adapted to specific environmental conditions.
Additionally, the communities preserve native seed banks that ensure the availability of genetic material in the face of extreme climatic events. This strategy strengthens food security and reduces the vulnerability of crops.
Meanwhile, producers continue to apply ancestral knowledge related to agricultural calendars, observation of natural phenomena, and crop rotation. These practices allow them to face droughts, frosts, and changes in rainfall patterns that are increasingly frequent in the Andean region.
An initiative that integrates production and conservation
The international recognition received by the communities of Cuyocuyo demonstrates that conservation can develop complementarily with traditional productive activities.
In addition to protecting wild species and strategic ecosystems, this model favors the preservation of native seeds, strengthens food sovereignty, and contributes to carbon storage in high Andean environments.
Similarly, it promotes the transmission of cultural knowledge between generations and generates opportunities for the sustainable development of rural communities. In a context of increasing climate pressure, experiences like that of Cuyocuyo show that the combination of ancestral knowledge and environmental conservation can become a key tool to build more resilient territories.
A living heritage for future generations
The terraces built before and during the Inca expansion continue to be a fundamental piece of the landscape of Cuyocuyo. Far from becoming relics of the past, they continue to play essential roles in production, conservation, and climate adaptation.
Moreover, the recognition obtained as a Zone of Agrobiodiversity and later through the Equatorial Prize reinforces the importance of protecting these unique systems.
Finally, the experience of the Quechua communities demonstrates that the balanced relationship between nature and culture can offer concrete responses to the environmental challenges of the present while preserving an invaluable legacy for future generations.
