GC3JHA3 Terraces at Moray (Earthcache) in Peru created by gogo CZ

This cache has been archived.

GOGO CZ: Thanks to the new information about the need for uniqueness of earth caches I obtained from geoawareCZ I decided to archive this one.

GC3JHA3 ▼

A cache by gogo CZ Message this owner

Hidden : 5/3/2012

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: not chosen (not chosen)

Join now to view geocache location details. It's free!

Watch

How Geocaching Works

Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions in our disclaimer.

Geocache Description:

Peru is unique in possessing such a wide variety of ecosystems ranging from the dryest hot desert in the Americas, to the high Andean peaks (over 7,600m above sea level); from a two- thousand-kilometre-long belt of cloud forest, rich in flora and fauna, to a vast area of lowland Amazon jungle, covering about half the country. The three main zones of Peru are known as La Costa (the coast), La Sierra (the mountains) and La Selva (the jungle).

Although Peru's seaboard is situated well within the tropical zone, it does not display an equatorial climate; average temperatures range from 21°C in January to 10°C in June at Lima, on the coast. At Cuzco, in the La Sierra, the range is only from 12°C to 9°C, while at Iquitos, in the Amazon region, the temperature averages about 32°C all year round.

Latitude has less effect upon the climate of the La Sierra than altitude. The rainy season in the Andes extends from October to April, the reverse of the coastal climate. Temperatures vary more from day to night than seasonally. The snow line ranges from 4,700 to 5,800m. In the eastern rainforest, precipitation is heavy, from 190 to 320cm annually; rain falls almost continuously between October and April.

ALTITUDINAL ZONATION AND TEMPERATURE GRADIENT
Altitudinal zonation in mountainous regions (La Sierra) describes the natural layering of ecosystems that occurs at distinct altitudes due to varying environmental conditions. TEMPERATURE, HUMIDITY, SOIL COMPOSITION, AND SOLAR RADIATION are important factors in determining altitudinal zones, which consequently support different vegetation and animal species. Altitudinal zonation was first hypothesized by geographer Alexander von Humboldt who noticed that temperature drops with increasing elevation. Average annual altitudinal and temperature gradient is minus 0,6°C/100m. It means 0,6 degree Celcius drop in temperature that occurs with every 100 m increase in elevation.

Elevation models of zonation are complicated by factors stated above and thus the relative altitudes each zone begins and ends is not tied to a specific altitude. However it is possible to split the altitudinal gradient into five main zones:

1. Tierra nevada: Covered in snow throughout most of the year. Vegetation is extremely limited to only a few species that thrive on silica soils.
2. Tierra helada:The highest zone that vegetation typically exists. This area is shaped by the frequent frosts that restrict extensive plant colonization. Vegetation is patchy and is restricted to only the most favorable locations that are protected from the heavy winds that often characterize this area. Much of this region is patchy grassland, sedges and rush heaths typical of arctic zones . Snow is found in this region for part of the year.
3. Tierra fria: Characterized by a closed carpet of vegetation that includes alpine meadows, shrubs and sporadic dwarfed trees. Because of the complete cover of vegetation, frost has less of an effect on this region, but due to the consistent freezing temperatures tree growth is severely limited.
4. Tierra templada: Extends from the mid-altitude forests to the tree line. The exact level of the tree line varies with local climate, but typically the tree line is found where mean monthly soil temperatures never exceed 10.0 degrees C and the mean annual soil temperatures are around 6.7 degrees C. In the tropics, this region is typified by montane rain forest while at higher latitudes coniferous forests often dominate.
5. Tierra caliente: This lowest section of mountains varies distinctly across climates and is referred to by a wide range of names depending on the surrounding landscape. Colline zones are found in tropical regions and Encinal zones and desert grasslands are found in desert regions.

SOILS AND TOPOGRAPHY
Andean soils are relatively young and are subject to erosion by water and winds because of the steep gradients of the land.
For nearly 3 500 km along the western coast of South America [5-30 degrees S], the Peruvian and Atacama deserts form a continuous, hyper arid belt, broken only by occasional river valleys from the Andean Cordillera. Soils vary between sandy and loamy-sandy, with a very loose structure. The region is covered with heavily eroded desertic soils that are low in moisture and organic material and high in mineral salts.

From Bolivia to Colombia border, at the east side of the eastern cordilleras, the soils show characteristics closely related to altitude. The moor embryonic black soils with organic material are found here.

At altitudes between 1800 and 3700 m, red, brown, and chernozem soils occur on moderate slopes and on basin floors. In more poorly drained locations, soils with a permeable sandy horizon are relatively fertile; these soils are the most economically important in Peru.
At high elevations soils are thin and stony.
On the east side of the eastern cordilleras, descending to the Amazon basin, thin, poorly developed humid soils are subject to considerable erosion. Intrazonal soils (those with weakly developed horizons) include humic clay and solonetz (dark alkaline soils) types found close to lakes and lagoons.
Soils in valleys are mainly alluvium and colluvium derived from andesite. Volcanic ash has influenced these soils as well.

The soils generally lack nitrogen and sometimes phosphorus. Frequently soils have salinity problems because of bad drainage. Both toxicity and low availability of microelements are frequently problems on the calcareous soils of high pH.
The Moray region is geologically characterized by the Maras formation, which is high calcitic and rich in calcium sulphate and carbonate. Overlaying the Maras formation are several areas of volcanic deposits.

MORAY is an archaeological site in Peru approximately 50km (31 mi) northwest of Cuzco on a high plateau, in La Sierra climatic zone.
The site contains unusual Inca ruins, mostly consisting of three enormous main terraced circular depressions, the largest of which is about 30m (98 ft) deep. There are some other small depressions and terraces. These depressions are commonly called the Incan Agricultural Terraces at Moray.

The agricultural terraces are laid out in way to create gradual microclimates with a more elevated temperature at the bottom and decreasing temperatures on the higher levels. Moray simulates twenty different microclimates. Some studies indicate that soil from different parts of the Incan empire was imported to each of the terrace.
The lowest terraces constitute sector characterized by high humidity and a relatively low soil temperature. In the middle sector the average annual temperatures is 2° or 3°C higher. The temperature of the highest sector can be higher or lower depending on the sun radiation throughout the year. The micro-climatic difference between the various sectors is greatest during the dry months (May, June, July) and the sowing period (August, September, October, November).
Depth and orientation of the terraces with respect to wind and sun creates a temperature difference of as much as 15°C between the top and bottom of the deepest depression. But the average annual temperature difference is about 6°C.
Incas watched how different plants fare under different climatic conditions. How well they resist frost, excessive or deficient rainfall, in hot and cold years, how they behave when exposed to different sicknesses, insect and fungi, etc.
A crop's behavior in a colder year can be simulated by sowing it at a higher altitude and in a hotter one by sowing it lower.

Source: Francisco Mamani-Pati, David E. Clay, and Sharon Clay - Geospatial Soil Conservation Using Andean Technology of the Inca Empire, Wikipedia

How to get there? You can take a cab from Maras or you can visit this place with a travel agency (e.g. Boleto Turistico Del Cuzco).
Terraces are located next to the road, about 5km west of Maras which is well passable during the dry period from May to October.

The cache:
To claim this cache you must fulfil following tasks and send answers to my profile gogo CZ.

There is the deepest depression south of the starting coordinates (Reference Point DD).
a) Compare the soil from terraces with soil from the area around and try to determine whether it is local soil or whether it was imported into the terraces from another part of Peru. Use color of the soil or fertility (according to the amount of vegetation) as the main parameter.
b) Measure the altitude at the starting coordinates and calculate simulated altitude at the bottom of the deepest depression. Use the information from the listing (average annual temperature difference and the temperature gradient) for the calculation.
c) Determine the altitudinal zone for the simulated (calculated) altitude.
d) Append a photo from Moray with you or your GPS - this task is OPTIONAL.

You can log the cache without my confirmation but you should send me answers before the logging. If there is anything wrong with your answers I will let you know. Logs without sending answers will be deleted.

Perú es único en posesión de una gran variedad de ecosistemas que van desde el más seco desierto caliente en las Américas, a las altas cumbres andinas (más de 7.600 metros sobre el nivel del mar), a partir de un cinturón de dos mil kilómetros de largo del bosque nuboso, rico en flora y fauna, a una vasta área de tierras bajas de selva amazónica, que cubre aproximadamente la mitad del país. Los tres principales zonas del Perú que se conoce como la Costa (la costa), La Sierra (las montañas) y La Selva (la selva).

A pesar de costa del Perú se encuentra dentro de la zona tropical, que no muestra un clima ecuatorial, las temperaturas promedio de 21°C en enero a 10°C en junio en Lima, en la costa. En Cuzco, en La Sierra, el rango es sólo de 12 ° C y 9°C, mientras que en Iquitos, en la región amazónica, la temperatura promedio de unos 32°C durante todo el año.

Latitud tiene menos efecto sobre el clima de la Sierra de la que la altitud. La temporada de lluvias en los Andes se extiende desde octubre hasta abril, el reverso de la clima de la costa. Las temperaturas varían más de día a la noche de la temporada. La línea de nieve oscila entre 4.700 a 5.800m. En La Selva del este, la precipitación es fuerte, de 190 a 320cm por año, la lluvia cae de manera casi continua entre octubre y abril.

Zonificación altitudinal en las regiones montañosas (la Sierra) describe la estratificación natural de los ecosistemas que se producen a alturas distintas, debido a diversas condiciones ambientales. TEMPERATURA, HUMEDAD, COMPOSICIÓN DEL SUELO, Y LA RADIACIÓN SOLAR son factores importantes en la determinación de zonas de altitud, lo que consecuentemente apoyar diferentes tipos de vegetación y especies animales. Zonificación altitudinal se planteó la hipótesis por primera vez por el geógrafo Alexander von Humboldt, que se percató de que la temperatura disminuye con la elevación cada vez mayor.
Promedio anual de gradiente de altitud y la temperatura es de menos de 0,6°C/100m. Esto significa que 0,6 grados Celsius en la temperatura de caída que se produce con cada aumento de 100 m de altitud.
Se pueden establecer cinco zonas dentro de cada sistema montañoso - mire la segunda imagen.
La región de Moray que se geológicamente caracteriza por la formación de Maras, que es alta calcítica y rica en sulfato de calcio y carbonato. La superposición de la formación Maras se encuentran varias áreas de depósitos volcánicos.

MORAY es un lugar en el Perú, a unos 50 kilómetros (31 millas) al noroeste de Cuzco, en un altiplano en la Sierra zona climática.
El sitio contiene inusuales ruinas Incas, en su mayoría compuestas por tres enormes terrazas principales depresiones circulares, la mayor de la que está a unos 30 m (98 pies) de profundidad. Hay algunas otras pequeñas depresiones y terrazas. Estas depresiones se llaman comúnmente Las Terrazas Incas Agrícola de Moray.

Las terrazas agrícolas se establecen en forma de crear microclimas graduales con una temperatura más elevada en la parte inferior y la disminución de las temperaturas en los niveles superiores. Moray simula veinte microclimas diferentes. Algunos estudios indican que el suelo de diferentes partes del imperio inca fue importado a cada una de la terraza.
Las terrazas más bajas constituyen el sector caracterizado por la alta humedad y una temperatura del suelo relativamente baja. En el sector medio de las temperaturas anuales promedio es de 2° o 3°C más alta. La temperatura del sector más alto puede ser mayor o menor dependiendo de la radiación solar durante todo el año. La diferencia de micro-climática entre los diferentes sectores es mayor durante los meses secos (mayo, junio, julio) y el período de siembra (agosto, septiembre, octubre, noviembre).
La profundidad y la orientación de las terrazas con respecto al viento y sol crea una diferencia de temperatura de hasta 15°C entre la parte superior e inferior de la depresión más profunda. Sin embargo, la diferencia de temperatura media anual es de unos 6°C.
Incas veían como las diferentes plantas "crecen" en diferentes condiciones climáticas. Qué tan bien se resisten a las heladas, lluvias excesivas o deficientes, en los años fríos y calientes, cómo se comportan cuando están expuestos a diferentes enfermedades, insectos y hongos, etc.
El comportamiento de un cultivo en un año más frío puede ser simulado mediante la siembra a mayor altitud y en una más caliente por la siembra que más abajo.

¿Cómo llegar? Usted puede tomar un taxi desde Maras o puede visitar este lugar con una agencia de viajes (por ejemplo, Boleto Turístico del Cusco).
Terrazas se encuentra junto a una carretera, a unos 5km al oeste de Maras, que es bien pasable durante el período seco de mayo a octubre.

El caché:
Para reclamar esta caché se debe cumplir con las tareas siguientes y enviar respuestas a mi perfil gogo CZ.

Hay depresión más profundo al sur de las coordenadas inicial.
a) Compare el suelo de la terraza con el suelo de la zona que rodea y trate de determinar si es suelo local, o si se ha importado a las terrazas de otras partes del Perú. Utilice el color de la fertilidad del suelo o (de acuerdo con la cantidad de vegetación) como el parámetro principal.
b) Meda la altura en las coordenadas de inicio y calcule la altitud simulada en la parte inferior de la más profunda depresión. Utilice la información de la lista (diferencia de temperatura media anual y el gradiente de temperatura) para el cálculo.
c) Determine la zona altitudinal de la simulación (calculado) de altitud.
d) Adjunte una foto de Moray con usted o su GPS - Esta tarea es opcional.

Usted puede registrar la caché sin mi confirmación, pero usted debe enviarme respuestas antes de la registración. Si hay algo mal con sus respuestas les dejará saber. Registros sin respuestas enviados serán borrados.