Napo Moist Forests - A Global Ecoregion
Over 16 species of primates have been observed
Snapshot: Ecoregion 43
Size:
367,000 sq. km (141,500 sq. miles)
Habitat type:
Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Geographic Location:
South America: Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru
Conservation Status:
Vulnerable
Quiz Time!
Why is the emperor tamarin so-named?
Answer:
The emperor tamarin is so-named because it sports a long, white mustache.
About the Area
This Global ecoregion is made up of these terrestrial ecoregions: Ucayali moist forests; Napo moist forests. These forests of the Western Arc of the Amazon are likely the richest plant and animal communities in the world.
Over 16 species of primates have been observed in a single area, and exceptionally high diversities for many other groups of organisms have been recorded.This diversity stems from the high and relatively seasonal rainfall in parts of the ecoregion, the complex topography and soils, vast river systems that create a dynamic mosaic of habitats, and complex biogeographic histories.
Local Species
Selected Species include the small, shy primates called Emperor tamarins (Sanguinus imperator), White-lipped peccaries (Tayasu pecari), Ecuadoran cacique (Cacicus sclateri), Linnaeus's false vampire bat (Vampyrum spectrum), and the Emerald tree boa (Corallus caninus).
Other species like Ocelots (Felis pardalis), and Jaguars (Panthera onca) blend in well with the dappled undergrowth.
Threats
New and planned roads are opening the Napo Moist Forests to degradation through colonisation, agriculture, intensive hunting, oil exploration, and timber exploitation. Vast regions of the Western Arc have been ceded to oil companies for development, increasing the threat of oil spills.
Resources
• NationalGeographic.com
