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cook: vegetation IN SOUTHERN PERU 



REFORESTATION OF TERRACED VALLEYS 



Though no original or virgin forests are now known to exist 

 in this part of Peru on any lands that could be cultivated, re- 

 forestation with native trees is in progress in many places, 

 notably in the valley above Ollantaytambo, and in the next 

 valley to the west, leading up to the Panticalla Pass. In both 

 valleys the growth of the native trees has progressed so far that 



Fig. 2. Valley above Ollantaytambo, Peru, at an altitude of about 10,000 

 feet, showing terraced slopes partly overgrown with forests of native trees, 

 including quishuar, quenuar, lambran, unca, and lengli. 



genuine forest conditions have been restored, in the Ollantay- 

 tambo Valley covering several hundred acres, in the Panticalla 

 Valley thousands of acres. Reforestation is demonstrated by 

 the fact that the trees stand on ancient agricultural terraces 

 supported by skilfully constructed stone walls. (See fig. 2.) 



The survival of native trees in these valleys may be ascribed 

 to the presence of lateral ravines too deep, narrow, and precipitous 

 for cultivation. Such places may well have escaped the other- 



