Darién National Park

The Darien National Park is located in the southeast of Panama, along the Colombian border, and thus on the southernmost part of the land bridge between Central and South America.

This was established in September 27, 1980. In 1981, the UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site and a Biosphere Reserve in 1983. With an area of ​​5970 km ² it is the largest national park in Central America. It is bordered to the south by the Colombian National Park Los Katios, which was also declared a World Heritage Site.

This is one of the most species-rich tropical rain forests of the earth. Here a wide range of animal and plant species occur. The wide variety of habitats accommodates an unusually high level of biodiversity. The protected area is home to beaches, mangrove forests and lagoons on the Pacific side. For the most part the park contains various kinds of Tropical Rain Forest. With 1,845 m, the Cerro Tacarcuna represents the highest point of the park and forms the watershed between the Pacific and Caribbean.

With the three indigenous peoples of the Embera, Kuna and Wounaan of the area is also culturally diverse.

Climate

The annual rainfall is on the Caribbean side between 3000 mm and 4000 mm and about 4000 mm and 5000 mm on the Pacific side. The dry season, with average rainfall of 100 mm per month, going from January to March. The temperature varies from 16-35 ° C with an annual average of 26 ° C.

Flora

The forests of the Darién Province are still largely undisturbed and form the most species-rich habitats in Central America. Approximately 2440 plant species were detected, of which about 40 species are endemic. The main part of the scene here humid and very humid tropical rainforests.

In the mangrove forests of coastal encountered eg on the black and red mangrove, further west on the acacia tree Albizia caribaea, the silk-cotton tree greenhouse Bombacopsis quinata, the buttercups tree, the mimosa plant Prosopis juliflora and the palm Sabal allenii. In the freshwater marshes usually grow palm trees as Manicaria and Jessenia and Copaifera, Pachira aquatica as well. About 10 % of the park consist of laubabwerfendem Tropical lowland forest. Much of it seems to be secondary forest, which was created by Indigenous peoples, but leave upon arrival of the Spaniards over 500 years ago. Some of the largest specimens of this region, with a size of about 40 m, belong to the species Cavanillesia platanifolia. The warm, humid mountain forest, which begins above about 200m, covers about 60 % of the park. Lianas, epiphytes and ferns come here before numerous. Cloud forest begins at a height of about 700 m, the dominant tree species is here Oenocarpus panamanus. This region occupies about 30 % of the park.

Fauna

The region is exceptionally rich in species. So far, 169 species of mammals, 533 bird species, 99 reptile species, 78 amphibian species and 50 fish species were recorded. Endemic species are frequently encountered. For many types represents Darien is a kind of demarcation line, species from North and South America meet here.

The forest clearings preferring white-tailed deer sharing the area with the forest -loving Brocket Deer, the Rotmazama. The largest rodents, the capybara live here as well as the Central American agouti and paca. The American crocodile divides the rivers with its South American cousin, the crocodile caiman. The distribution area of coyotes extends to central Panama and is replaced here by the smaller forest dog, which is further south spread to Brazil. In addition to the black-spotted jaguars, ocelots to, the long-tailed cats and the cats Tiger, also live here Jaguarundi, and Puma. The black-headed, northern subspecies of brown spider monkeys head begins here to replace the equipped with a reddish coat on his back and further north Geoffroy- living spider. In addition to live here another four species of monkeys, Panama Nachtaffe, Mantelbrüllaffe, White -headed Capuchin and Geoffroy- Perückenaffe. Also, Brown -throated sloth, giant anteater, white beard and collared peccary, and Central American Tapir can be found here.

Seven mammal species are considered endemic, the Taschenrattenart Orthogeomys dariénsis that Klettermausart Rhipidomys scandens and the Slim opossum Marmosops invictus.

It is estimated the number of living species of whales off the coast on 20. Sharks to 33 and that of the sea turtles on four

The forests of the Darién are the only area in Central America, where the same occur four colorful macaws. The further north encountered the Great Green Macaw and actually grows only in South America Rotbugaras, and the Blue and Gold Macaws Green Macaws. Here lives the largest population of the most powerful bird of prey of the world, the harpy eagle, which makes this hunting larger birds and monkeys, and at the same time is Panama's national bird. Other birds of prey such as the eagle and magpie of Rotkehlkarakara. In forests it also applies to the Hokkohühner, Tuberkelhokko and Rostbauchguan. Of the species occurring in the lowlands Brown Coat forehead bird, Kerrtinamu and Strichelrücken - Ameisenwürger are performed as an endangered species. Five bird species are considered endemic, such as the Northern Perlstachelschwanz ( Margarornis bellulus ) and the Glanzfleckentangare ( Tangara fucosa ).

Threat

A threat to the entire region is the expansion of the last section of the Panamerican Highway. This, the entire Americas connecting road is interrupted at the time only by the so-called Darien Gap. Another threat comes from the neighbor Colombia. Along the border large forest areas were cleared to Colombian side. Also, the adjacent National Park Los Katios is threatened by deforestation and illegal hunting, so it is classified by the UNESCO since 2009 as endangered.