Central Suriname Nature Reserve

Central Suriname Nature Reserve
UNESCO World Heritage site
View from the Voltzberg in the Central Suriname Nature Reserve
Location Sipaliwini District, Suriname
Criteria Natural: (ix), (x)
Reference 1017
Inscription 2000 (24th Session)
Area 1,600,000 ha (4,000,000 acres)
Website https://www.protectedplanet.net/central-suriname-nature-reserve-world-heritage-site
Coordinates 4°0′N 56°30′W / 4.000°N 56.500°W / 4.000; -56.500Coordinates: 4°0′N 56°30′W / 4.000°N 56.500°W / 4.000; -56.500
Location of Central Suriname Nature Reserve in Suriname

The Central Suriname Nature Reserve (Dutch: Centraal Suriname Natuurreservaat (CSNR)) is a conservation unit in Suriname. It preserves an area of tropical rainforest.

History

The Central Suriname Nature Reserve was created in 1998 by Conservation International and the government of Suriname from the fusion of three existing nature reserves: Ralleighvallen, Tafelberg and Eilerts de Haan gebergte.[1] It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000 for its pristine tropical rainforest ecosystem.

Environment

The reserve is in the Guianan moist forests ecoregion.[2] It contains 16,000 square kilometres (6,200 sq mi) of both montane and lowland primary tropical forest including sections of the Guyana Highlands.

It is known for its rapids and bird species, including the Guiana Cock of the Rock (Rupicola rupicola).[3] A research station is located at the foot of Voltzberg and the area is tourist attraction.[3]

Some of the most outstanding features in Central Suriname Nature Reserve are several granite domes - uplifted monoliths of granite rising high above the surrounding rainforest. Barren surface of dark-colored granite is exposed to impact of Sun thus creating unique xerophytic biotope which includes also endemic plant species. The best known granite dome is the 245 m high Voltzberg.[4]

Other attractions include the Julianatop (1230 m), the highest mountain in Suriname, the Tafelberg (Table Mountain, 1026 meters), the Van Stockum Berg (360 m), and Duivelsei (Devil's Egg), a rock seemingly balanced on the edge of a mountain.

Eilerts de Haan Nature Park is named for Johannes Gijsbert Willem Jacobus Eilerts de Haan, an explorer who died in Suriname's interior.

References

  1. ↑ "Central Suriname Nature Reserve". Tropical Ecology Assessment and Monitoring (TEAM) Network. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
  2. ↑ "Guianan moist forests", Global Species, Myers Enterprises II, retrieved 2017-04-03
  3. 1 2 Nature Reserve of Suriname Visit Suriname
  4. ↑ "Voltzberg - granite dome in tropical forest". Wondermondo. Retrieved 5 June 2010.
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