Land Vulnerability, Risk Zoning, and Ecological Protection in the Protection Forest of Pagaibamba (Peru)

The protection of natural areas is considered an essential strategy for environment conservation. objective this work was to determine the level vulnerability, considering characterization and identification risk zones ecological Pagaibamba Protection Forest (PPF, Peru). To vulnerable areas, Landsat ETM satellite images, topographic, geological, ecological, vegetation cover maps were used. Geological, physiographic, edaphological, cover, land use potential characteristics, analyzed. Three Ecological Risk Zones identified, with largest extension PPF corresponding lands very high vulnerability risk, which include >85% Protected Natural Areas (PNA) 54% Buffer Zone (BZ). Moderate represent 30% (BZ) 13% PNA, low-risk (represent 15% BZ 2% PNA). Biogeographically, related Cloudy Montane Forests Ecoregion Andes Mountains, standing out Tropical Cloud (TMCF) Lower (TLMCF). These forests are a global conservation priority due their great biodiversity, endemicity flora fauna, crucial hydrological function they fulfill.