The Amazon Tropical Tropical Jungle, The Ecosystem With The Highest Number Of Species In the World
The Amazon rainforest stretches across seven million km2, of which five and a half million square kilometers are covered by jungle. Its watershed is spread across 9 countries of which Brazil has almost 2/3 of the territory, followed by Peru with 1/8, Colombia with 1/10, and with minor areas in Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana.
From the upper watersheds in Peru and Bolivia, the length to the river mouth in the Atlantic Ocean stretches a sensational 6,500 kilometers. In the Andes foothills, most rivers are narrow fast flowing creeks, making navigation difficult and treacherous, while lakes are almost absent, making the area poorly accessible from the water. []
Average temperatures are about 80 F, with daytime temperatures running into the 100 Fs. Rainfall is very high, due to convection, that causes the surface water to evaporate and rise into the air, after which it cools down, condenses and falls back as rain, thus recycling the water within the basin. Additional water flows from the snow capped mountains of Adean highlands.
The species diversity is the greatest on the planet: Thus far, a minimum of 40,000 plant species have been registered for the Amazon area. Researchers have described between 100,000 |130,000 invertebrate varieties in Brazil alone. Some 2,000 type of birds and close to 430 type of mammals have already been recorded, virtually all of which are rodents and bats. Fishes are represented with almost 2,200 species, while amphibians add up to more than 425 species, and reptiles to about 380 species.
A 2001 study carried out in the Ecuadorian jungle, showed that the highest biodiversity on the planet is situated in the Cuyabeno Fauna Reserve where more than 1,000 species were found on a single ha of forest. Needless to say, for visitors as well as for visiting scientists such extreme diversity of species just isn't noticeable
For the tourists, the presence of slow flowing streams and lakes is much more important. For the reason that it is very difficult to observe wildlife, because it primarily moves about in the tree crowns. Looking up, the light of the sky blinds a persons vision, making the leaves appear almost black. However, when one observes the jungle from the river, enough light penetrates onto the lower branches and shrubs to observe wildlife. Obviously, along the shores one can also watch shore- and water birds. The sole protected area on earth to have slow flowing narrow rivers and lakes is Cuyabeno National Park. From Venezuela to Bolivia, no nature reserve offers similar conditions and such great wildlife experience. []
Cuyabeno is merely around 30 minutes flying from capital Quito and an additional one and a half hour riding by bus over an asphalt road. That is why Cuyabeno is the greatest Amazon park on earth and tours of the Cuyabeno Lodge are the finest Amazon tours in the world!
From the upper watersheds in Peru and Bolivia, the length to the river mouth in the Atlantic Ocean stretches a sensational 6,500 kilometers. In the Andes foothills, most rivers are narrow fast flowing creeks, making navigation difficult and treacherous, while lakes are almost absent, making the area poorly accessible from the water. []
Average temperatures are about 80 F, with daytime temperatures running into the 100 Fs. Rainfall is very high, due to convection, that causes the surface water to evaporate and rise into the air, after which it cools down, condenses and falls back as rain, thus recycling the water within the basin. Additional water flows from the snow capped mountains of Adean highlands.
The species diversity is the greatest on the planet: Thus far, a minimum of 40,000 plant species have been registered for the Amazon area. Researchers have described between 100,000 |130,000 invertebrate varieties in Brazil alone. Some 2,000 type of birds and close to 430 type of mammals have already been recorded, virtually all of which are rodents and bats. Fishes are represented with almost 2,200 species, while amphibians add up to more than 425 species, and reptiles to about 380 species.
A 2001 study carried out in the Ecuadorian jungle, showed that the highest biodiversity on the planet is situated in the Cuyabeno Fauna Reserve where more than 1,000 species were found on a single ha of forest. Needless to say, for visitors as well as for visiting scientists such extreme diversity of species just isn't noticeable
For the tourists, the presence of slow flowing streams and lakes is much more important. For the reason that it is very difficult to observe wildlife, because it primarily moves about in the tree crowns. Looking up, the light of the sky blinds a persons vision, making the leaves appear almost black. However, when one observes the jungle from the river, enough light penetrates onto the lower branches and shrubs to observe wildlife. Obviously, along the shores one can also watch shore- and water birds. The sole protected area on earth to have slow flowing narrow rivers and lakes is Cuyabeno National Park. From Venezuela to Bolivia, no nature reserve offers similar conditions and such great wildlife experience. []
Cuyabeno is merely around 30 minutes flying from capital Quito and an additional one and a half hour riding by bus over an asphalt road. That is why Cuyabeno is the greatest Amazon park on earth and tours of the Cuyabeno Lodge are the finest Amazon tours in the world!
About the Author:
Worried you'll choose the wrong area for your Amazon visit? Renowned conservation biologist Dr. Vreugdenhil shares his experiences so you can find a great Amazon Park for your Amazon holiday. He'll tell you why the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve would be a magnificent choice.