Have you ever heard the word ecoregion? An ecoregion is a biogeographic unit with a different and unique fauna, flora, geomorphology, ecology and character. For example, the Sabana de Palmeras or Tropical Humid SavannaIt is a small ecoregion that is located in the north-central area of Bolivia, but the territory it occupies extends from the southwest of Peru to the western area of the southern Brazilian Amazon.
If you want to know more about the Sabana de Palmeras, know its characteristics, as well as the plants and animals that are part of it, continue reading this Green Ecologist article in which we will talk about the ecoregion called Sabana de Palmeras, its characteristics, flora and fauna.
Characteristics of the Sabana de Palmeras
These are the main characteristics of the Palm Savannah or Tropical Humid Savanna:
- It has an approximate altitude of 300 meters above sea level (meters above sea level).
- The characteristic climate of the Sabana de Palmeras is highly variable due to the vast area it occupies. In the eastern north there is a more humid climate and the changes by seasons are not suffered. However, the southwest area is seasonal and very dry in times of drought. As for the average annual temperature, in general, it oscillates between 20 ° C and 27 ° C.
- The rains that the ecoregion presents occur in summer reaching 1,500 mm, as a consequence these can end up flooding a large area of the savanna. It is in May and October when this area suffers from drought, although in some years the dry season can last up to 7 months.
- It is characterized by a flat relief, but some low hills can be found in some areas. The elevation of the territory does not exceed 300 meters above sea level.
- The soils of the Sabana de Palmeras are formed by alluvial soils, contain little organic matter, in addition to having poor drainage and a very acidic pH. In the rainy season the soils can become flooded and in the dry season, the lack of rainfall causes crevices to be produced in the ground with a depth of 70 cm.
- It is an irrigation and discharge area for the Tambopata, Wiener, Palma Real, d'Orbigny, Namegua and Heath rivers, some of which come from the thaw generated in the Andes. Other bodies of water found in this area are lakes, permanent swamps, and swamps.
- It is vulnerable in dry seasons, since fires occur at this time. Although they are vulnerable to these times, being less accessible they are protected from anthropic activities.
- The flora that predominates in the territory is adapted to dry seasons, such as prolonged rainfall.
The Sabana de Palmeras ecoregion It is identified by its endemic biodiversity, making this a very valuable place. In it there are a large number of animal and plant species, including those that are in danger of extinction or vulnerability.
Flora of the Palm Savannah or Tropical Humid Savanna
In the Sabana de Palmeras there are about 1,500 plant species in the flat areas and, in addition, within the forests there are approximately 5,000 species. Its plant formations are classified into four classes and these are some examples of plants from the Palm Savannah:
- Gallery forest: These are located right on the banks of the rivers, that is why in times of rain they are flooded with the floods of the river. Trees such as aguaje, huasaí or açaí and ungurahui are the ones that can be seen in the gallery forests of the area.
- Panojal de la pampa: In it, the scattered grasses and shrubs stand out.
- Forests in the hills: Scattered tahuarí trees, ratapanga shrubs, and some palm trees are found in the hilly forests, although there are mostly grasslands there.
- Adjacent forests: the species present are sugar huayo, alfaro, ungurahui and shimbillo. Despite the Savannah being characterized by rather poorly drained soil, the adjacent forest soils can boast much better drainage soils.
The name given to the Sabana de Palmera is determined by the palm species found in the ecoregion. These are some of those that we can find: the shapaja or bacurí, the huasaí or açaí, the ungurahui, the sancona palm and the Bactris Major from the southern Amazon.
Fauna of the Palm Savannah or Tropical Humid Savanna
Inside of fauna of the palm tree savanna There are some endemic species, such as the swamp deer, the hairy wolf, the pygmy shorttail marsupial, the grass rat, the spectral and behn's bat, and the nine-banded armadilllo. But of course there are many more Animals of the Palm Savannah:
- Mammals: the puma, the jaguar, the Moorish cat or yaguarundí, the giant otter and the anteater. There are also primates such as the black and gold howler monkey, the lucachi, the white-eared marmoset or the Azara night monkey.
- Birds: the white-bellied tinamú, the great common rhea or ostrich of the Americas, the crowned eagle of Azara or the burrowing owl, among others.
- Reptiles: the black alligator, the anacondas and the false cobras
- Amphibians: the ox toad, the swamp frogs, the little painted toad or arrowhead frog.
- Fish: the black pacú, the boquichico or shad and the grated catfish.
In addition, among some of the mentioned species, there are those that are in danger of extinction such as the giant otter, the hairy wolf and the black caiman.
Environmental impact in the Sabana de Palmeras
Although in general the Sabana de Palmeras is protected Since it is difficult to access it, it does receive some impacts, especially in those areas that are close to population centers. The negative impacts on the Sabana de Palmeras by the people's action are:
- The felling of trees, degrading the soil as well as the bodies of water that are nearby.
- Livestock, since a large number of cattle circulate through the territory deteriorating the vegetation.
If you want to read more articles similar to Palm savannah: characteristics, flora and fauna, we recommend that you enter our Ecosystems category.
