- Address: Panama City, Colon, Panama
- Type: island, national park
- The status of the national park: since 1979
- Symbol: bird nosuha
The island of Barro Colorado in the Panama Canal covers an area of more than 1.5 thousand hectares. It is located in the water area of Lake Gatun , halfway between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Barro Colorado is the largest reserve of the state of Panama .
On the island is the base of the Smithsonian Institute for Tropical Research. Scientists are involved in the study of tropical forests. By the way, after in 1979 several small peninsulas were also included in the reserve, Barro-Colorado was given the status of National Park.
Flora and fauna of Barro Colorado
On the territory of the island grows a rainforest, in which many animals live, including large enough individuals. Scientists of the Smithsonian Institute are working on the study of the vital activity of many species of animals. The life of the bird of the nosuh, which is the symbol of the station, has been studied in the most detailed way. In addition, more than 70 species of bats live in the Barro-Colorado reserve, the highest in the world.
Previously, in the national park of Barro-Colorado lived predators such as pumas and jaguars, but their population was completely destroyed by mankind. In connection with the disappearance of these two species, the predatory appearance of the Barro-Colorado Reserve has changed dramatically over the years: rodents that previously were the main source of food for members of the feline family multiplied. Rodents, in turn, over time, brought to naught some plant species in the park of Barro-Colorado, whose seeds served as their food. And the disappearance of large trees caused the extinction of some species of birds and animals, but the population of small rodents and predators of the cat family, ocelots, increased sharply. Consequently, the disappearance of only 2 species of animals resulted in a complete transformation of the flora and fauna of the Barro Colorado National Park.
Protection of natural resources in Barro Colorado
To prevent the complete extinction of rare species in the Barro Colorado Park, the Government of Panama has adopted a number of bills aimed at preserving endangered species:
- NEPA - the law on national policy in the field of environmental protection. It regulates the activities of US organizations in the territory of Panama, requiring them to comply with environmental safety standards;
- Convection on the conservation of wildlife in the Western Hemisphere and the protection of the environment. Convection was developed by the governments of the countries of the USA and Panama and is aimed at the preservation of endangered plants and animals on the island of Barro Colorado.
How to get to the island?
To become a visitor to the Barro Colorado National Park, there is only one way - to sail here on a boat from the village of Gamboa , located nearby. To visit the park requires special permission from employees of the Tropical Research Institute.
Walking around the island does not take you much time: a tour of the most popular route Barro Colorado is only 45 minutes, and to get around the whole island, it will take no more than 1 day.
| | |
| | |
