The most threatened Andean ecosystems of high biological importance
The Polylepis forests (Queñoa, Kewiña, and Lampaya) are the most impacted high-Andean ecosystems. Today, only small fragments of these forests survive, restricted to areas of low agricultural value. However, they are the most important habitat for numerous species currently at risk of extinction, such as the Royal Cinclodes (Cinclodes aricomae) and the Ash-breasted Tit-Tyrant (Anairetes alpinus) in La Paz, and the Cochabamba Mountain-Finch (Poospiza garleppi) in certain sites of the central Bolivian Andes (Cochabamba, Chuquisaca, and northern Potosí). In 1996, it was estimated that only 10% of the Polylepis forests that once existed in Bolivia remained standing.
Although the exact surface lost since then has not been estimated, there is no doubt that the decline continues. The same situation applies to other Andean ecosystems, such as the dry forests in the inter-Andean valleys of central Bolivia (Chuquisaca, Cochabamba, Potosí, and Santa Cruz), which today are also deeply degraded and fragmented. For example, the metropolitan region of Cochabamba has completely displaced the dry forest that once existed in this valley. Likewise, forests in most inter-Andean valleys have been replaced by agricultural fields.
Armonía’s Work
For more than 15 years, Armonía has invested efforts to protect these forests and the most threatened bird species that depend on them. We have carried out numerous education, reforestation, and research activities, and today we focus our efforts on protecting the most important sites for this endangered biodiversity. Since March 2020, we have been restoring native forests on the southern slope of Tunari National Park. Our partners in this initiative include several communities within the park, the Cochabamba Departmental Government, and the municipal governments of Tiquipaya, Sacaba, Quillacollo, and Vinto, along with the Tunari National Park itself. By March 2026, we had planted more than 1.25 million native trees on the southern slope of Tunari National Park—an achievement unmatched in any other region of Bolivia.
However, our restoration work goes beyond planting trees. We also implement actions to ensure that reforested areas and remaining native forest fragments receive active protection from the communities involved. To achieve this, we support sustainable community development—for example, improving irrigation systems, expanding and diversifying agroforestry (in coordination with Fundación Agrecol Andes), building local capacities for sustainable development projects, and promoting sustainable management of exotic tree plantations.
Since 2022, we have also formed community-based forest fire brigades and acquired the necessary equipment to fight fires. This training was coordinated with the Risk Management Unit of the Cochabamba Departmental Government and Tunari National Park. These brigades played an important role in combating forest fires that originated in neighboring communities where we do not yet work, showing the commitment of our partner communities to protect forest fragments and restoration areas. This also highlights the importance of expanding our project to more communities along the Tunari mountain range.
One of the long-term impacts of our project is watershed protection. Today, several watersheds descending from the Tunari range are in poor condition and highly vulnerable to landslides with potentially fatal consequences, as occurred in the Taquiña watershed in February 2018 and 2020 in Tiquipaya, and in February 2024 in Sacaba. Tunari National Park is a protected area of great importance for the population of the Cochabamba valley—home to more than 1 million people—since over 80% of the water consumed comes from this mountain range. Consequently, its protection is essential to prevent disasters, regulate the water cycle in this region of Bolivia, and secure the future of Cochabamba’s population.
By March 2026, 125 community firefighters had been trained and 11 brigades were formed across four municipalities
In six years of management, we have reforested more than 1.25 million seedlings with the involvement of 12,000 people, including community members and volunteers
Armonía has built 10 water reservoirs to strengthen irrigation systems and mitigate fires, with a capacity of more than 14 million liters
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We periodically publish reports that outline conservation efforts in Armonía’s reserves. Exploring our reports is an excellent way to stay informed about Bolivia’s most endangered species.