Puerto-Princesa-Subterranean-River-Nationalpark
The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National - Park (sometimes Puerto Princessa ) in the Philippines was established in 1971 and declared in 1999 by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. It covers 3901 ha and is managed by a - surrounded protected buffer zone of 18,301 ha - to the extent enforceable.
The world-famous tourist attraction is located 81 km or 3 hours' drive north -west of the island's capital, Puerto Princesa in Palawan in the fishing village of Sabang.
Flora and Fauna
800 plant species from 100 families, including some specialized cacti, 295 species of trees, mainly dipterocarp, make the most of the vegetation. It will, inter alia, of 95 species of birds (15 are endemic), including the symbol of Puerto Princessa, the Palawanpfaufasan ( Polyplectron emphanum, family Gamebird ) inhabited. Also nectar birds such as the green back sunbird ( Nectarina jugularis aurora ) may be observed on flowers. They have a convergent evolution undergone analogous to Hummingbirds in America and dominate the Schwirrflug, though not to the same extent. Mostly in the tree tops survived the likewise endemic Palawanhornvogel ( Anthracoceros marchei ) with its white tail fan. There are shiny Philippine kingfisher, a species with blue back, yellow head and breast and bright orange-red beak, cranesbill Reads ( pelargopsis capensis ) on the waters. The white-bellied sea eagle ( Haliaeetus leucogaster ) has his territory along the coastline. With its broad wings, white head and white chest he is already identify at a distance. Furthermore, the forests live parrots, such as the blue neck parrot ( Tanygnathus lucionensis paraguenus ). Become very rare is the snow-white, with yellow tail feathers and wing undersides, Rotsteißkakadu ( Cacatua haematuropygia, to 30 cm), which has long been exported and its population is now collapsed. One of Asia 's popular " talking " bird Beo ( Gracula religiosa), often irritated by other birds Rufnachahmung, mimicking cell phone ringtones, coughing and laughter, a few words and short sentences and is also to be found in the national park.
41 butterfly species, including the 18- cm wingspan largest, the black, dovetail Trogonoptera trojana (also Papilio trojano ) with bright green triangles on the rear edge of its wings and 23 779 species of insects, mollusks, and arthropods inhabit the area.
Among the 30 known species of mammals are the long-tailed (Macaca fascicularis), which is often found on the hiking trails and the camp of the underground river, the nocturnal binturong or Marderbär ( Arctitis binturong ) and the Palawan - squirrel ( Sundasciurus spec.) With his bushy red tail, one of the two endemic species of Sunda tree squirrels.
The Water monitor ( Varanus salvator ) can reach a length of up to 2 m and weighs 50 kg. His skin results in a coveted leather, which brought him to the brink of extinction. It represents one of the 19 species of reptiles, including the not particularly rare king - possibly spitting cobra ( Ophiophagus hannah respectively Naja Naja sputatrix or sumatrana ) and the reticulated python (Python reticulatus ) is one. In addition, 10 species of amphibians inhabit the area.
There are signs of fauna and flora with the local and scientific names, and some use to the tourist collection points.
Sabang Underground River
The main tourist attraction is the longest about 7 km long and 4.2 km of navigable underground river in the world, under the massif of Karst Mountains ( a interspersed with clefts and cavities limestone) with the 1027 m high Mt St. Paul and then in South China Sea flows. For tourists, only the first 1.2 km of the system are released, in addition, it requires a special permit. Geologists estimate the age at 23 million years.
Through the collapsed overburden an up to 45 m high dome was created. The river is partly about 8 m deep, in many places stalagmites and stalactites, organ pipes, curtains and dome have formed.
In addition to Swallows here find an estimated 40,000 Pipistrelle bats their daily hostel. The German biologist Hendrik Friday from Phyllodrom in Leipzig, the whole system of underground Cabayugan River ( as its name before entering the cave ) intensively investigated in the years 2000/2001 and thereby promoted many new types of palawanischen freshwater fauna days. Thus, the frequently encountered in the upper reaches of the river river crab, for example, ( recently named as Parathelphusa cabayugan ) a newly discovered endemic species in the underground section of the river was a previously known only from the southern Japanese Ryukyu Islands shrimp, whose eye pigmentation subterranean in adaptation to the environment is greatly reduced. The scientific description ( publication of the Neuarten status) of insects is currently in progress. The results led to a doctoral dissertation at Martin -Luther- University Halle- Wittenberg and can be viewed as an abstract
Mangrove river Poyuy - poyuy
Along the mangrove belt Poyuy - poyuy (also Sabang River ) are seen very early morning or very late afternoon many birds. In tidal forest of the genus Rhizophora have at the high water line mainly mangrove settles. On their branches hang thick brown, globular fruit, from which sprout 50 cm long, spear shaped seedlings. The root system is important in order to counteract coastal erosion and also a hitherto completely underestimated ecological factor such as about as a nursery for various life and under water. So far, large areas were cleared thoughtlessly, especially in the short term to build profitable shrimp farms. After the exploitation of barren desert landscapes remain where for decades to come no more stable ecosystem can settle and this is often colonized in the wake of the landless. In addition, many mangrove areas are being cut down to make charcoal.
On the arched roots, how long, look froze spindle fingers, and in the branches of live mudskippers ( Periophtalmus chrysospilus ) that descend only at low tide. With their frog -like heads they rummage through the silt layer of food particles and also graze algae under water from their support from. With its curved tail they can quickly push off from the ground, whence also its name comes from. Your amphibious lifestyle is made possible by a sea-water supply in the enlarged jaw area. By gasp she can refresh its oxygen content within the limits again and again. Other residents of the foliage is the endemic subspecies of the yellow and olive to deep black striped Mangrove night tree snakes ( Boiga dendrophila multicincta, Tagalog binturan ). Younger specimens of Bindenwarane use the branches to rest. Groups of macaques occasionally cross the river over the bridges of the roof tops.
In the National Park there are several large caves, such as the huge, cathedral -like Daylight Hole, also known as Penning cave. With at least one wide, 50 m deep vertical shaft it is shortly after the inflow port of the underground river, which is not permeable through boulders and tree trunks for people connected.