El Tuparro National Natural Park and Biosphere Reserve (Colombia)

El Tuparro National Natural Park and Biosphere Reserve (Colombia)

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El Tuparro National Natural Park and Biosphere Reserve is located in the eastern plains of Colombia, a flat area bounded by four major rivers. The landscape undulates with a series of small valleys and streams. A few areas are permanently flooded during parts of the year.

El Tuparro National Natural Park and Biosphere Reserve

The El Tuparro National Natural Park and Biosphere Reserve are located in the Vichada Department in the Orinoquía Region of Colombia. It covers an area of 548,000 ha (1,354,000 acres or 2,116 sq mi) and is the only protected area in the Eastern Plains (Llanos Orientales) under Colombia's Natural Parks System.

The El Tuparro National Natural Park and Biosphere Reserve occupy a flat area bounded by the Orinoco River to the east, the Tomo River to the north, and the Tuparro and Tuparrito rivers to the south. The landscape undulates with a series of small valleys and streams. A few areas are permanently flooded during parts of the year.

Some 85% of the area is covered with natural savanna, dominated by plume grass. Woodlands are found along the watercourses, with different tree species. Especially notable are the 'Morichales' formation and the 'mirity areas.'

Predominant plants include the Moriche Palm and the tree Caraipa llanorum. The dominant vegetation in the non-flooded savannas is grass. In addition to its two broad types of natural ecosystems, flooded and non-flooded savannas, it has five riparian forest types.

The average yearly rainfall is 2477 mm (97.5 in) in the western region and 2,939 mm (115.7 in) in the eastern region. The average annual temperature is 27 °C (80.6 °F).

Flora and Fauna

The area is home to 74 species of mammals, 320 birds (many of them marine), 17 reptiles, 26 fish and five primate species. Amphibians are significantly diverse due to the variety of ecosystems in the area.

Mammals of the savanna include white-tailed deer, giant armadillos, small savanna armadillos, tapir and dog foxes. Peccaries, pumas, jaguars, and different species of monkeys inhabit the woodlands.

Noteworthy birds include guans, curassows, screamers, eagles, and ducks. Giant otters such as capybaras, Orinoco crocodiles, caiman, and turtles are found along the shores of the rivers, which abound with fish, including piranha and electric eel.

Socio-Economic

The most evident characteristic of the El Tuparro National Natural Park and Biosphere Reserve is its diversity in terms of local populations and indigenous communities.

Surrounding the Selva of Mataven, named 'the Forest Heart,' are 10,000 inhabitants (Sikuanis, Piapocos, Puinaves, Piaroas, Curripacos and Cubeos) in 16 indigenous reserves. A semi-nomadic group of Indians, the Guahibos, still live in the Reserve.