The Flora and Fauna of Bolivia - La Flora y Fauna de Bolivia

The Flora and Fauna of Bolivia. With wide ranging altitude, Bolivia has representative plants of most climatic zones, from arctic growth high in the sierra to tropical forests in the Amazonian basin and shares much of the diverse variety of Andean flora and fauna found in the surrounding 4 countries. Conservation is pertinent in the Tariquía-Baritú Ecological Corridor, the area between Tariquía Natural Reserve and Baritú National Park

Ichu, a coarse bunch grass used for pasture, thatching, and weaving mats grows on the high plateau above 3,050 m. The bush-like tola and the resinous mosslike yareta are both used for fuel. Lake Titicaca grows a reed called totora, used for making small fishing boats (balsas) and this region is believed to be the original

The quinine-producing quina tree grows in the tropical forest, , as does the Pará rubber tree. There are more than 2,000 species of hardwoods: Aromatic shrubs are common, as are sarsaparilla, vanilla, and saffron plants. Useful natives include palms, sweet potatoes, manioc, peanuts, and a wide variety of fruits. The Chaco is covered with a prickly scrub collectively called monte; tannin-producing quebracho trees also abound there.

The llama, the most important animal, one of the most efficient carrier animals known is found on the Altiplano, with alpaca and guanaco and several varieties of cavy (guinea pig. Lake Titicaca has several varieties of edible fish. In the tropical Amazon region are the coati, tapir, puma, armadillo, peccary, capiguara (river hog), and ant bear, as well as several sloth and kinds of monkeys. Birdlife is rich and varied. Reptiles plus an enormous variety of insects are found below 3,000 m.