Los Estoraques Unique Natural Area

The Área Natural Unica Los Estoraques is an association founded in 1988, Colombian Natural Park and is the only category Área Natural Unica. It extends to the municipal area of ​​La Playa de Belen in the department of Norte de Santander in the Eastern Cordillera of the Andes in an area of ​​640.62 hectares. He is one of the smallest nature park in Colombia. His height profile ranges from 1400 m up to a height of 2100 meters above the sea. The average temperatures are 17-23 ° C. The landscape characterize the damage caused by erosion, reddish colored by iron oxide rock formations. The eponymous species Styrax cf guianensis - called by the locals istoraque - is extinct in the park area, since its wood was used for perfumes.

Flora and Fauna

The flora is divided into a dry and a humideren area. The vegetation of the arid region reaches a maximum height of two meters and is situated in the part of the park, with the most striking rock formations. Most frequently represented are Stachytarpheta mutabilis, the Guavennart Psidium guineense, Myrsine guinensis, Bejaria aestuans, Erythroxylum lucidum, Weinmannia cf sorbifolia, Roupala montana, a hitherto undescribed Pitcairnia -Art, Croton leptosthachyus, Dodonea viscosa, cacti of the species Opuntia caracassana that Feigenart Ficus velutina and Clusia aff. rosea. In the area of ​​the region by attracting streams additionally contains frequently Escallonia pendula and Calycolpus moritzianus.

The other part of the flora is characterized by an approximately 25 meter high forest stands throughout the year in the fog. Here reign the oak species Quercus humboldtii, the tree fern Cyathea aff. quinduense, Calypthranthes, Billia rosea, Heliconia meridensis, the mountain palm Chamaedorea pinnatifrons, as well as the Kakaoart Pachira pulchra ago.

The fauna includes 58 species of birds from other from 22 families, some snake species, a fish and a cancer. The diversity of mammals is also high, their respective number but small. Examples of these are called Proechymis political opus and the Common Opossum.

Swell

  • Colombia - Parques Naturales. Villegas Editores, Bogota 2006, ISBN 958-8156-88-2.
  • Geography (Colombia )
  • National Park in Colombia
  • Departamento de Norte de Santander
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