9 South American natural attractions that preserve the continent’s and the world’s biodiversity
South America is vast and incredibly diverse. It includes two hemispheres and four main climatic regions. Amongst its countries are Brazil, Colombia, Perú and Venezuela, four of the sixteen countries designated as mega-diverse on a global scale.
Although biodiversity may sound strange to us and foreign to our day to day, it is the opposite, thus the United Nations dedicates a special date: May 22nd World Biodiversity Day, it can not be in vain.
In fact, biodiversity is a complex issue but increasingly interesting not only for scientists but also for policymakers, private institutions, non-governmental organizations and environmentalists around the world; since biodiversity plays an important role in the functioning of ecosystems and in the numerous resources they provide.
Biodiversity plays an important role in the functioning of ecosystems / Photo: Daytours4u
So, what exactly is a biome and why it is so important?
A biome, in short, is a specific space that, according to the climate characteristics, has specific vegetation and fauna. The importance of biodiversity basically lies in the fact that all organisms within an ecosystem are interconnected. When the diversity of organisms within an ecosystem decreases, so does the ecosystem's ability to function and survive.
Recovering an ecosystem is, in general, much more expensive than protecting the original ecosystem / Photo: Daytours4u
According to figures from the World Bank, Latin America and the Caribbean are home to 34% of the flora species and 27% of the world's mammal species. It is estimated that currently, in this region there are 6 of the countries with the greatest biodiversity on the planet: Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, and Venezuela. In fact, more than 40% of the world's biodiversity is found in the South American continent. Amazing, right?
In relation to the International Day of Biodiversity -declared by the United Nations in 1994- we have compiled 9 South American natural attractions that preserve the greatest biodiversity of the continent and the world:
1. Atlantic Forest:
Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay
It is a biome that extends over a distance of more than 3000 kilometers that runs parallel to the Brazilian coastline between 17 states of Brazil. Being one of the richest regions in biodiversity on the planet, it was declared by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve. It is estimated that there are around 20 thousand species of plants (approximately 35% of existing species in Brazil). Given that it is one of the richest regions in the world in terms of biodiversity, the Atlantic Forest provides essential ecosystemic resources to 145 million Brazilians that live there.
The Atlantic Forest is a biodiversity hotspot located along Brazil’s Atlantic coast / Photo: Ulrich Peters
2. Galápagos Islands:
Ecuador
They are an archipelago of 13 large islands, six smaller ones and more than 200 islets of volcanic origin. This corner of the planet has the greatest biodiversity on the planet both flora and fauna, in fact, there are endemic species whose importance is vital: turtles, penguins, finches, owls or pelicans.
There is no doubt why Charles Darwin devoted years of study and his own Research Center to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands because this Island has approximately 576 species of flora and fauna exclusive to this country. These islands were declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 1979 and a Biosphere Reserve in 1985.
Travel Tip:If you visit the Galapagos Islands, you can not miss the Tortuga Bay Beach Excursion so you can enjoy sharing a day of sun and sea with iguanas, sea lions, and turtles.
In the Galapagos Islands, there are endemic species whose importance is vital: turtles, penguins, finches, owls or pelicans / Photo: Dustin Haney
3. Manú National Park:
Peru
It is categorized as a number for its jungle and wildlife. It is a protected area that covers 1.5 million hectares. It is a biosphere reserve located in Madre de Dios and Paucartambo, in Cusco. It has a megadiversity recognized internationally for its great biological diversity and since 1977 it holds the title of Biosphere Reserve granted by UNESCO.
This South American natural attraction is home to some 221 species of mammals, like the black tiger, jaguar, South American tapir, deer, the Collared peccary, Capybara, long-haired spider monkey, among others. As for birds, the harpy eagle, jabiru, roseate spoonbill, Orinoco goose, and the Andean cock-of the rocks stand out.
The Manú National Park is categorized as number one for its jungle and wildlife / Photo: Daytours4u
4. The Amazon
Colombia and Venezuela
It is the most extensive humid forest on earth. The biodiversity of the Amazon rainforest has no comparison in the world, which is why it is known as the Earth’s lung. It houses the largest variety of freshwater fish on the planet and a variety of exotic mammals such as the pink river dolphin, the manatee, the jaguar, the puma, the giant otter, the peccary, the tapir, the sloth, and various primates. The river turtle and the largest crocodile in the world are found there, too.
It is a key biome for the planet, not only because it harbors the importance of preserving biodiversity, but also because it is fundamental in balancing the climate patterns in the region.
The Amazon is a key biome for the planet because it is fundamental in balancing the climate patterns in the region / Photo: Daytours4u
5. The Madidi National Park
Bolivia
It is a protected area with the most species of plants, species of butterflies, birds and registered mammals. It has a total of 8,880 registered species in which there are 265 mammals, 1,028 birds, 105 reptiles, 109 amphibians, 314 fish, 5,515 plants and 1,544 species of butterflies. This place is home to 31 indigenous and peasant communities of the Tacana, Leco, Quechua and Aymara origin, and they inhabit a just over 3,000 people.
This national park is a solitary, inhospitable and unexplored place where you can see animals such as otters and tapirs, caimans and capybaras (the largest rodents in the world). But also, hundreds of species that until recently were unknown.
The park has cloud forests, lowland jungle, rivers, streams, swamps. It even has glaciers / Source
6. The Andes Mountains
Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Colombia, Peru and Venezuela
This South American mountain range crosses Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Colombia, Peru and part of Venezuela. The Andean area occupied by the countries of Ecuador, Colombia, and Venezuela is very green and rich in flora and fauna. Here are some 45,000 species of flora and 5,975 species of fauna. This region, called the Tropical Andes, is the richest in biodiversity in the entire Andean mountain range due to its more benevolent climate.
The presence of the Andes in the South American region was key to the development of its incomparable biodiversity. In fact, several studies have demonstrated and determined that the changes in the climatic patterns which previously occurred in the mountain range, along with geological and biological processes, gave it its richness of species which currently characterizes the region.
The Northern Andes in Ecuador, Colombia, and Venezuela were called the "global epicenter of biodiversity" by the British ecologist Norman Myers / Photo: Source
7. Lauca National Park:
Chile
This protected area of 137,883 hectares is home to a rich variety of species, including llareta, the candelabra spurge or the Polylepis, the tree that grows at the highest altitude in the world.
It is characterized by a great richness in flora and fauna, places of great cultural and historical interest, and places of enormous natural beauty. More than 130 different species of birds live in this park, in addition to the characteristic vicuñas, viscachas, and condors. One of its main attractions is the wonderful Chungará Lake, one of the highest in the world, located at the foot of the Payachata twin volcanoes.
The Chungará Lake of Lauca National Park is one of the highest in the world and is located at the foot of the Payachata twin volcanoes / Photo: Source
8. The Misiones Province Jungle:
Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay
Also known as the Atlantic Forest of Alto Paraná is one of the largest green masses on the planet. It is the second largest biodiversity reserve in the Americas. Its biological diversity surpasses 2000 species of flowers, 150 different plant species in only one hectare, a great variety of mammals, reptiles, insects and 400 species of birds. Extended over three countries -Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay- it has the three longest and fast-flowing rivers in the country (after the Río de la Plata); Sierras that reach 800 meters high, and half a million hectares of parks and reserves.
The Missionary Forest is a highly threatened ecosystem due to deforestation and exploitation of its fauna and water resources. Because of this, there are different projects protecting the jungle and its fauna.
The Missionary Forest is a highly threatened ecosystem due to deforestation and exploitation of its fauna and water resources / Photo: Daytours4u
9. National Park Canaima
Venezuela
This natural attraction of South America covers 3,000,000 hectares and is located in the state of Bolívar, in southeastern Venezuela. Its main attraction is the Kerepacupay Vená, better known as El Salto Angel, which is the highest waterfall in the world, surpassing the Niagara Falls 17 times.
The landscape of this park is characterized by geological formations called tepuy or tepui (table-top mountain or mesa), it is a very high plateau with steep walls and flat peaks. These giants, being almost isolated, develop their own ecosystem and are of great geological interest because they are unique in the world.
Travel tip: Packing your suitcase well is essential when traveling to Canaima. It is recommended that it weighs no more than 10 kilos. If less, even better. In addition, that is the maximum allowed per person when boarding the plane. Keep in mind that you carry your luggage at all times and that you will take some walks.
"The waterfalls of paradise" that are shown in the animated film Up, are inspired by the Canaima National Park / Photo: Francisco Becerro
. . .
Alarming facts and figures:
1) 70% of the world's lower class live in rural areas and depend directly on biodiversity to survive.
2) The variety and abundance of species have been reduced by 40% between 1970 and 2000.
3) Unsustainable consumption continues and the demand for resources worldwide exceeds the biological capacity of the Earth by 20%.
. . .
Biodiversity is declining at great speed due to factors such as changes in land use, climate change, invasive species, overexploitation, and pollution.
Our commitment to protecting biodiversity includes the development of products and solutions taking into account their impact on nature.
On your end, we encourage you to travel consciously and to discover the most biodiverse natural attractions of South America and the world with Daytours4u. The surprises will never end!
By: Nathaly Bosch, Venezuelan Social Communicator. Writer in Spanish for Daytours4u.
