Plants
5% of all vascular plants species are endemic to the region.
- Richest most diverse forests.
- Absorben mosses, bunchgrass, herbs, grasses, sedges , lichens, ferns, dry forests, woodlands, cactus stands, wild potatoes.
- 30,000-35,000 species of vascular plants.
- World leader in plant endemism.
- Largest variety of amphibians-- 664 species - 450 threatened.
- 1,724 birds--579 endemic -- 160 threatened
- 570 mammals--75 endemic --70 threatened
- 610 reptiles--275 endemic
- Yellow-eared Parrot, Yellow-tailed Wooly Monkey, Spectacled Bear, llama, Andean Condor, Chinchilla, Vicuna.