VENUE: Peruvian Embassy, 15 Buckingham Gate, London SW1E 6LB

We would like to invite you to our next up coming event at the Peruvian Embassy with John Forrest and Eustace Barnes

*John Forrest talk – ‘Andean River Shrimp (camerones) of the river Cañete as bioindicators’

The Andean River Shrimp was once ubiquitous in almost all the coastal valleys of Peru and were a major contributor to the diet of the early cultures inhabiting the coast valleys. Despite their widespread occurrence, continuing dietary popularity and increasing threats to their well-being, they are very little studied. Based on field research conducted from 2019-2022, this talk will outline some general characteristics of the río Cañete shrimp population, their significance as a bioindicator and environmental factors that are impacting upon their long-term well-being.

*Eustace Barnes talk ‘Biogeography and avifauna of the ríos Cañete and Mala catchments’

The Pacific slope has been little studied in Peru, although it is where a high proportion of Peru’s endemic avifauna reside. Based on field research conducted from 2018 – 2024, this talk will examine the importance of specific life zones within the ríos Cañete and Mala catchments south of Lima. Most important of these are the extensive polylepis groves and bofedales in the high Andes. It will also cover the río Cañete estuary, riparian habitats and the foothill Lomas. I will present new data on the distribution and abundance of a number of species, including the iconic Andean Condor and several critically endangered species of the high Andes.

Brief Biography:

Eustace Barnes is a biogeographer with a long held interest in the avifauna and environments of Peru. He has worked in Peru since 1991, undertaking fieldwork and research into Peru's diverse environments. Since 2015 he has been working as a biogeographer in the Environmental Physics Group, based in the Cavendish Laboratory at the University of Cambridge. In this group he has, until recently, worked on the Pacific slope in Moquegua, Ancash and Lima in areas little visited by biologists or tourists. The work of the group has produced several avifaunal studies, publications on water quality, the use of remotely sensed data to assess the impact of climate change in the Andes, the use of remotely sensed data to develop a health metric for bofedales, and bioaccumulation of trace metals in the Andean River Shrimp.   He is continuing to work on illustrating several family monographs, including Cotingas and Manakins and on a Field Guide to the Birds of Bolivia. As part of the glorious mix of life’s experiences, he also guides scientific tours to see birds throughout the Neotropics.

John Forrest is a geographer with a long held interest in the geography, peoples and cultures of Peru. He first visited Peru in 1981, and since 1982 he has been associated with a number of environmental and tourism initiatives, including the Tambopata Reserve Society which supports a number of conservation related projects in Madre de Dios, in south-east Peru. In this time, he has contributed regularly to the Handbook series of travel guides and authored several travel publications including the ‘Culture Smart guide to Peru’. Since 2017 he has been working as a geographer in the Environmental Physics Group, based in the Cavendish Laboratory at the University of Cambridge working on a number of benchmarking projects. In this group he has, until recently, worked on the Pacific slope in the Cañete valley providing research and logistical support to the team investigating water quality and the population of Andean River Shrimp in the Cañete river. He is a former Vice-Chairman and committee member of the Anglo-Peruvian Society.

For reference, please find below the links to the Cañete Valley Part I:

THE CAÑETE VALLEY – Part 1 [link 1]

THE CAÑETE VALLEY – Part 1 [link 2]

TICKETS::   Members £15. –  Non Members £20  (includes a glass of wine at the reception)

This event is non refundable.

Please go to: https://buytickets.at/angloperuviansociety/1326610 to buy your tickets.

All proceeds will support charitable projects in Peru.

We look forward to seeing you at this very interesting talk.

The Anglo Peruvian Society