The study was conducted in the community of Picotani, in two vicuña management sectors: Tambojarkas (TAM) and Chalhuani (CHAL). A total of nine experimental plots were evaluated, five in Chalhuani and four in Tambojarkas. Each plot was delineated as a 10 by 10 meter area, within which 100 plants (cuttings) of one of the key species selected in the area were transplanted. Since the aim was to determine whether a type of fertilizer was more effective in promoting the growth of key species, the plots were subjected to different fertilization treatments (vicuña manure, alpaca manure, urea), while some plots were maintained as controls. Various growth-related parameters were assessed over five subsequent monitoring dates (readings) following transplantation, along with the initial measurements (Reading 0) taken at the time of planting. During the first reading, conducted approximately 15 days after transplantation, any plant that had died was replaced (these replacements were referred to as 'recalce'). Monitoring both survival and morphological traits allowed us to determine which species had the greatest success after transplantation and which fertilizer proved most effective in promoting their growth.

The study was conducted in the community of Picotani, in two vicuña management sectors: Tambojarkas (TAM) and Chalhuani (CHAL). A total of 10 sites were evaluated, 7 within Chalhuani and 3 within Tambojarkas. At each evaluation site, starting from its centroid, a 5-hectare grid was established, subdivided into 100 cells. In each cell, the degree of pasture use was assessed—that is, the extent to which animals had removed the current forage growth—and a visual estimate of the percentage of impact was assigned.

The study was conducted in the community of Picotani, in two vicuña management sectors: Tambojarkas (TAM) and Chalhuani (CHAL). A total of 10 sites were evaluated, 7 within Chalhuani and 3 within Tambojarkas. In each site, three 30-meter linear transects were established, oriented to the north, southeast, and southwest. Along each transect, characteristics related to grasses and vegetation cover in the area were assessed, ranging from areas with low cover (due to overgrazing) to areas with high vegetation cover (less impacted sites). To evaluate soil fertility, various parameters were measured to describe the main characteristics of the soil. Among them, the percentage of multiple nutrients, the degree of acidity/alkalinity, and the amount of organic matter were estimated. For this purpose, a 1 kg soil sample was collected and analyzed in the laboratory.

The study was conducted in the community of Picotani, in two vicuña management sectors: Tambojarkas (TAM) and Chalhuani (CHAL). A total of 10 sites were evaluated, 7 within Chalhuani and 3 within Tambojarkas. In each site, three 30-meter linear transects were established, oriented to the north, southeast, and southwest. Along each transect, characteristics related to grasses and vegetation cover in the area were assessed, ranging from areas with low cover (due to overgrazing) to areas with high vegetation cover (less impacted sites). To assess the vigor of the species within each transect, the height of 10 indicator plants (every 10 records along the census ring) closest to the transect was measured. This information, combined with the ecological reference database, was used to obtain a percentage value of the vigor achieved within the evaluation unit.

The study was conducted in the community of Picotani, in two vicuña management sectors: Tambojarkas (TAM) and Chalhuani (CHAL). A total of 10 sites were evaluated, 7 within Chalhuani and 3 within Tambojarkas. In each site, three 30-meter linear transects were established, oriented to the north, southeast, and southwest. Along each transect, characteristics related to grasses and vegetation cover in the area were assessed, ranging from areas with low cover (due to overgrazing) to areas with high vegetation cover (less impacted sites). To assess the floristic composition of the grasslands and to determine the frequency of species consumed by vicuñas, undesirable species, and other types of non-forage cover (rocks, pavement, litter, etc.), a one-inch sampling ring was used along the 30-meter linear transects. A total of 100 records were taken, documenting the plant species and other types of cover.

The study was conducted in the community of Picotani, in two vicuña management sectors: Tambojarkas (TAM) and Chalhuani (CHAL). A total of 10 sites were evaluated, 7 within Chalhuani and 3 within Tambojarkas. In each site, three 30-meter linear transects were established, oriented to the north, southeast, and southwest. Along each transect, characteristics related to grasses and vegetation cover in the area were assessed, ranging from areas with low cover (due to overgrazing) to areas with high vegetation cover (less impacted sites). To obtain a record of the (ecological) reference height of the main key species within the evaluated transect, five representative individuals with the greatest observed vigor (qualitatively) were selected. The height measurements of these individuals provide an ecological reference of the growth level that the grasses present in the study area could exhibit.

The study was conducted in the community of Picotani, in two vicuña management sectors: Tambojarkas (TAM) and Chalhuani (CHAL). A total of 10 sites were evaluated, 7 within Chalhuani and 3 within Tambojarkas. In each site, three 30-meter linear transects were established, oriented to the north, southeast, and southwest. Along each transect, characteristics related to grasses and vegetation cover in the area were assessed, ranging from areas with low cover (due to overgrazing) to areas with high vegetation cover (less impacted sites). To evaluate the diet and nutrients available to vicuñas in these areas, focal group monitoring was carried out, and fecal samples were collected from identified dung piles of these groups to determine the composition of plant species consumed by these individuals.

The study was conducted in the community of Picotani, in two vicuña management sectors: Tambojarkas (TAM) and Chalhuani (CHAL). A total of 10 sites were evaluated, 7 within Chalhuani and 3 within Tambojarkas. In each site, three 30-meter linear transects were established, oriented to the north, southeast, and southwest. Along each transect, characteristics related to grasses and vegetation cover in the area were assessed, ranging from areas with low cover (due to overgrazing) to areas with high vegetation cover (less impacted sites). To assess forage availability in the grasslands, five subunits (1 m² quadrats) were evaluated, aiming to determine the degree of cover and the amount of plant material present in them.

The study was conducted in the community of Picotani, in two vicuña management sectors: Tambojarkas (TAM) and Chalhuani (CHAL). A total of 10 sites were evaluated, 7 within Chalhuani and 3 within Tambojarkas. In each site, three 30-meter linear transects were established, oriented to the north, southeast, and southwest. Along each transect, characteristics related to grasses and vegetation cover in the area were assessed, ranging from areas with low cover (due to overgrazing) to areas with high vegetation cover (less impacted sites). To evaluate the digestibility of the grass biomass present at the sites, a composite sample of 250 grams was collected by gathering plants from 5 subunits distributed along each linear transect. The samples were sent to a laboratory, where they were dried at 60°C for 48 hours in an oven in order to determine the dry matter content and the amount of digestible leaf.