Lomas Fog Oasis Ecosystems

As dense coastal fog drifts inland and settles on isolated hilltops, it nourishes lush pockets of vegetation known as lomas - fog oasis ecosystems that function like islands scattered across an otherwise barren landscape. These rare habitats support an astonishing range of species, from fog-dependent endemic plants to desert-adapted mammals, all surviving in conditions that receive virtually no rain.

But the lomas are under severe pressure. Once widespread along the Peruvian and Chilean coast, centuries of farming, overgrazing and urban expansion have fragmented them into isolated remnants. Today, these ecosystems are threatened by off-road vehicles, mining, expanding settlements and the accelerating impacts of climate change. Many species found in the lomas exist nowhere else on Earth - some confined to a single hilltop.

Huarango Nature, in partnership with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, is leading an ambitious research and conservation project to understand, map and safeguard these fog-fed ecosystems. Over more than 15 years, the team has combined ground surveys, cutting-edge satellite analysis and innovative paramotor flights to study the lomas without disturbing their fragile soils.

Trail cameras form an important part of the research toolkit. With donated cameras from NatureSpy, the team can capture detailed records of wildlife in the lomas - including guanacos (wild llamas), Andean foxes and other highly specialised mammals. These detections help map movement routes and identify priority areas for protection, underpinning long-term conservation planning.

For decades, the lomas remained poorly understood, partly because they appear only when fog and seasonal moisture allow. Huarango Nature and Kew scientists set out to uncover their true extent, combining herbarium records, species surveys and more than 20 years of satellite imagery.

The results were transformative: the fog oasis network is four times larger than previously thought, covering over 17,000 km² from the Andean foothills to the Pacific coast. Paramotor expeditions - silent, low-impact flights over the desert - enabled the team to explore vast, inaccessible areas without leaving tracks or disturbing the delicate soil crust.

These surveys revealed rare plants, lichens and habitats that had never been formally documented, including species new to science. They also identified the most threatened sites and the communities of endemic species at risk from rising temperatures, shifting fog patterns and human disturbance.

A milestone for long-term protection

In 2024, this body of evidence led to a major conservation breakthrough. The Peruvian government granted the first-ever Concession for Conservation on the desert coast, formally protecting nearly 65km² of the fog oasis ecosystem.

This designation recognises the lomas as one of the world’s most sensitive and climate-responsive habitats. The plants found here rely on fog created by the collision of warm tropical and cold Antarctic currents, making the ecosystem an indicator of climate change. Protecting the site secures a refuge for endemic flora and fauna, safeguards cultural heritage stretching back millennia, and creates a scientific platform for studying environmental change in real time.

Life in the lomas is fragile and fascinating. These fog-fed desert oases are home to elusive mammals, rare birds, and unique plants that rely on animals to disperse their seeds. Understanding how wildlife interacts with the lomas is key to keeping the ecosystem healthy.

NatureSpy has donated Helarctos Solar trail cameras to support the team in studying wildlife across the lomas. Their solar-powered design makes them perfectly suited to the arid, remote conditions, where regular maintenance visits are challenging. High-quality photos and 4K video allow the team to reliably document species presence, behaviour, and movement patterns.

The cameras will provide Huarango Nature with vital data on the animals that depend on Peru’s fog oasis ecosystems - helping map movement corridors, pinpoint priority areas for protection, and guide future management to ensure these extraordinary habitats continue to thrive.