Salar de Tara – Salar de Aguas Calientes This area is made up of two
salt flats: Salar de Tara, located 120 kilometres east of
San Pedro de Atacama and 440 kilometres northeast of
Antofagasta, and Salar de Aguas Calientes, reaching an elevation of up to
above sea level. In 1996, Salar de Tara was designated a
Wetland of International Importance by the
Ramsar Convention. It features both permanent and seasonal lakes. The largest of these is Tara Lake, which is fed by the Zapaleri River. Salar de Tara was formerly filled by an overflowing lake that covered of area and has left prominent
shorelines, 24 of which are recognizable on the eastern side, as well as
river deltas. ;Flora and fauna The flora is characterized by the presence of high elevation wetland, as well as yellow straw,
broom sedge, tola de agua and tola amaia (two species of
Parastrephia), and coirón (
Festuca gracillima), which can be observed on flat and hilly terrain and on the slopes of volcanoes and hills Salar de Tara provides a habitat for various rare and
endangered species of wildlife. Some, like the
southern viscacha,
vicuña and
Darwin's rhea, are classified as endangered species. Others, such as
Andean goose,
horned coot,
Andean gull,
puna tinamou and the three flamingo species inhabiting in Chile (
Andean flamingo,
Chilean flamingo, and
James's flamingo) are considered vulnerable. The
conservation status of the
tawny tuco-tuco and the
Andean fox is unknown. Wind erosion features occur in this area.
Salar de Pujsa and Cerro Miscanti Salar de Pujsa is a salt flat located southwest of Salar de Tara, from San Pedro de Atacama, and northeast of
Acamarachi volcano. With a maximum elevation of above sea level, Pujsa is considered the most isolated section in the reserve. The salt flat receives the waters of the Quepiaco and Alitar creeks and was listed as a Ramsar site in 2009. Birds that migrate across the hemispheres use the salt flat and surrounding land as a
staging area, including the
Wilson's phalarope. Located 18 kilometers southeast of Socaire, 100 kilometers southeast of San Pedro de Atacama and 268 kilometers east of Antofagasta, this area comprises Miscanti Lagoon and Miñiques Lagoon, situated in the foothills of
Cerro Miscanti and the
Miñiques Volcano. The lagoons are between elevation. This section is close to
Salar de Talar and
Laguna Lejía. This portion of the reserve is home to a variety of birds, including the
Andean flamingo,
Chilean flamingo,
horned coot,
silvery grebe,
Andean gull and
greenish yellow finch. Mammals include the
vicuña,
Andean fox, and
Darwin's leaf-eared mouse. ==Salar de Atacama==