Guianan Moist Forests - A Global Ecoregion
Relatively undisturbed montane forests stretching from Venezuela to Brazil
Snapshot: Ecoregion 42
Size:
549,000 sq. km (212,000 sq. miles)
Habitat type:
Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Geographic Location:
Northeastern South America: Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, Venezuela Conservation
Status:
Relatively Stable/Intac
549,000 sq. km (212,000 sq. miles)
Habitat type:
Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Geographic Location:
Northeastern South America: Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, Venezuela Conservation
Status:
Relatively Stable/Intac
Quiz Time!
Which physical characterstic distinguishes giant otters?
Answer:
It's not hard to recognise individual giant otters - each one has a different pattern of spots on its throat.
About the Area
This Global ecoregion is made up of these terrestrial ecoregions: Guianan moist forests; Orinoco Delta swamp forests; Paramaribo swamp forests.
Large expanses of relatively undisturbed montane forest stretch from Venezuela to Brazil here in northeastern South America, harbouring a tremendous diversity of plant and animal species (many found only here and not in the nearby Amazon forest).Local Species
This Global ecoregion has three 'giant' animals among its inhabitants: the Giant armadillo (Priodontes maximus) - weighing about 66 pounds (30 kg), Giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla), and the Giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis).
Other vulnerable, threatened, and endangered mammals include, the Dog-faced bat (Molossops neglectus), Bush dog (Speothos venaticus), and the Water rat (Nectomys parvipes). Well-known carnivores such as the Jaguar (Panthera onca), and the Oncilla (Leopardus tigrinus) are also to be seen here.
In addition, bird species such as the Blue-cheeked parrot (Amazona dufresniana), Fiery-tailed awlbill (Avocettula recurvirostris), Bearded tachuri (Polystictus pectoralis), Boat-billed tody-tyrant (Hemitriccus josephinae), and the Dotted tanager (Tangara varia) are also found here.
Threats
Logging and mining activities are the primary threats to the integrity of this ecoregion. In particular, logging activities threaten to destroy and fragment the intactness and connectivity of habitats across the entire ecoregion.
Resources
• NationalGeographic.com
