Like many wetlands, the ecosystem at Lucre-Huacarpay is an oasis of life. Its aquatic vegetation and surrounding hillsides provide food and shelter for a variety of resident and migratory wildlife. Due to the relatively dense human population in the area, protecting the area requires a delicate, multi-faceted approach, but is an important task due to the important hydrological and ecological services the wetlands provide to people and wildlife alike.

The Lucre-Huacarpay Wetlands, with its 4 permanent lakes, 1 seasonal lake and interconnecting wetlands, were recently declared a RAMSAR site with an area of 1,9787085 ha. and a perimeter of 20.5 km. The elevation of the site is 3,020 m. above sea level and is centered at 71°44'21" W 13°36'71" S. The average annual rainfall is 656 mm. and the average temperature is 14.1°C. Politically, the wetland belongs to the District of Lucre in Quispicanchi Province, Cusco Department.

Conservation Requirements
The local population is generally poor in the economic sense, and rely heavily on the wetland for their subsistence. However, this is not being done sustainably due to the growing population and the economic influence of nearby Cusco city. Some of the most imminent threats include the periodic burning of reedbeds, the large-scale extraction of reeds, overgrazing and littering.