The 2.7 million sq mi Amazon watershed overlaps with 9 countries, of which 2/3 is in Brazil, 1/8 in Peru, 1/10 in Colombia and the rest is in Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana. Most of the area still is rainforest.
The furthest sources of the Amazon river lie in Peru and Bolivia at a distance of around 6,500 km from the river mouth in the Atlantic Ocean. Because the lower Andes are rather hilly, the upper watershed of the Amazon have few lakes and narrow rivers they are difficult to navigate, making those areas little accessible from the water. []
While average temperatures are close to 26 C, the daytime temperatures on a warm day rise to the high 30s C. Rainfall falls all year round in the majority of the watershed, since it is primarily generated by convection: surface water evaporates and rises high into the sky, where it condenses and from where it falls back as rain. The snow capped mountains of the Andean Mountain Range add additional water to the area.
Having a stunning 40,000 species of plants, the Amazon region has the greatest biodiversity known on earth. For Brazil alone, between 100,000 and 130,000 species of invertebrates have already been recorded. Bird species are represented with up to 2,000 species and mammals with about 430 species. Reptiles make up 380 varieties, while there are about 425 species of amphibians plus a stunning 2,200 species of fishes.
Based on a 2001 study, the Ecuadorian tropical forest has the highest diversity of species. Studies inside the Cuyabeno Reserve revealed higher biodiversity than any other study in the region. However, for visitors, the differences in number of species aren't in reality noticeable.
To the recreational visitor, the existence of slow flowing streams and lakes is a lot more important. For the reason that it's very tough to observe wildlife, since it primarily moves about in the canopy. Looking up, the lighting of the sky blinds the eye, making the leaves appear almost black. Alternatively, when one observes the tropical rainforest from the water, enough light penetrates to the lower branches and shrubs to observe wildlife. Naturally, along the shores you can also see shore- and water birds. The sole protected area on earth to have slow flowing streams and lakes is Cuyabeno Reserve. From Venezuela to Bolivia, no protected area offers similar conditions and such great wildlife experience. []
Logistically, too, Cuyabeno is special. It's accessible from capital Quito by a 30 minutes flight and an additional hour and half bus ride over an asphalt road. Little wonder that Tripadvisor elected Cuyabeno one of the 25 greatest destinations throughout South America and the Cuyabeno Lodge as its prime provider of exquisite Amazon tours!
The furthest sources of the Amazon river lie in Peru and Bolivia at a distance of around 6,500 km from the river mouth in the Atlantic Ocean. Because the lower Andes are rather hilly, the upper watershed of the Amazon have few lakes and narrow rivers they are difficult to navigate, making those areas little accessible from the water. []
While average temperatures are close to 26 C, the daytime temperatures on a warm day rise to the high 30s C. Rainfall falls all year round in the majority of the watershed, since it is primarily generated by convection: surface water evaporates and rises high into the sky, where it condenses and from where it falls back as rain. The snow capped mountains of the Andean Mountain Range add additional water to the area.
Having a stunning 40,000 species of plants, the Amazon region has the greatest biodiversity known on earth. For Brazil alone, between 100,000 and 130,000 species of invertebrates have already been recorded. Bird species are represented with up to 2,000 species and mammals with about 430 species. Reptiles make up 380 varieties, while there are about 425 species of amphibians plus a stunning 2,200 species of fishes.
Based on a 2001 study, the Ecuadorian tropical forest has the highest diversity of species. Studies inside the Cuyabeno Reserve revealed higher biodiversity than any other study in the region. However, for visitors, the differences in number of species aren't in reality noticeable.
To the recreational visitor, the existence of slow flowing streams and lakes is a lot more important. For the reason that it's very tough to observe wildlife, since it primarily moves about in the canopy. Looking up, the lighting of the sky blinds the eye, making the leaves appear almost black. Alternatively, when one observes the tropical rainforest from the water, enough light penetrates to the lower branches and shrubs to observe wildlife. Naturally, along the shores you can also see shore- and water birds. The sole protected area on earth to have slow flowing streams and lakes is Cuyabeno Reserve. From Venezuela to Bolivia, no protected area offers similar conditions and such great wildlife experience. []
Logistically, too, Cuyabeno is special. It's accessible from capital Quito by a 30 minutes flight and an additional hour and half bus ride over an asphalt road. Little wonder that Tripadvisor elected Cuyabeno one of the 25 greatest destinations throughout South America and the Cuyabeno Lodge as its prime provider of exquisite Amazon tours!
About the Author:
Worried you'll choose the wrong area for your Amazon visit? Renowned tropical ecologist Dr. Vreugdenhil shares his knowledge so you can select a great Amazon Park for your Amazon holiday. He'll tell you why the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve would be a fabulous destination.
No comments:
Post a Comment