Cordillera Oriental montane forests

Last updated
Cordillera Oriental montane forests (NT0118)
Rio en la sierra de perija.jpg
River in the Serranía del Perijá in the north of the ecoregion
Ecoregion NT0118.png
Ecoregion territory (in purple)
Ecology
Realm Neotropical
Biome Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests
Geography
Area67,858 km2 (26,200 sq mi)
Countries Venezuela, Colombia
Coordinates 6°32′28″N71°56′13″W / 6.541°N 71.937°W / 6.541; -71.937
Climate typeCfb": warm temperate, fully humid, warm summer

The Cordillera Oriental montane forests (NT0118) is an ecoregion in Venezuela and Colombia along the east slopes of the eastern cordillera of the Andes. The extensive region of submontane and montane forests includes distinctive flora and fauna in the north, center and southern sections. The ecoregion is home to numerous endemic species of fauna. Despite extensive changes due to logging, farming and ranching, large areas of the original habitat remain intact, and the ecoregion has rich biodiversity.

Contents

Geography

Location

The Cordillera Oriental montane forests ecoregion extends along eastern slopes of the Cordillera Oriental of the Colombian Andes, mostly in Colombia but in the northwest of Venezuela to the west of Lake Maracaibo. It has an area of 6,785,768 hectares (16,768,000 acres). [1]

At the northern end of the cordillera the ecoregion gives way to Guajira–Barranquilla xeric scrub. To the east, from north it south it adjoins the Maracaibo dry forests, Catatumbo moist forests, Venezuelan Andes montane forests, Apure–Villavicencio dry forests, Llanos, Caquetá moist forests and Napo moist forests. At its southern extreme it merges into Eastern Cordillera Real montane forests. To the west, from north to south, the ecoregion adjoins Sinú Valley dry forests and Magdalena Valley montane forests. At the upper levels the ecoregion gives way to Northern Andean páramo. [2]

Terrain

The Cordillera Oriental. The ecoregion covers the eastern slopes. In the north the Serrania del Perija has a NNE-SSW axis. The isolated Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is to the west. Further south the Cordillera Oriental has a NNW-SSE axis. South of that the axis is again NNE-SSW. Cordillera Orientale de Colombia.jpg
The Cordillera Oriental. The ecoregion covers the eastern slopes. In the north the Serranía del Perijá has a NNE–SSW axis. The isolated Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is to the west. Further south the Cordillera Oriental has a NNW–SSE axis. South of that the axis is again NNE–SSW.

The ecoregion covers the mid-level and high-level northern Andes, including foothills. [1] There are three main sub-regions: the Serranía del Perijá in the north, somewhat isolated from the Cordillera Oriental and closer to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the northeastern slope of the Cordillera Oriental and the southeastern slope of the Cordillera Oriental. The southeastern slope extends southward from the west of the Tamá Massif past (and including) the Serranía de la Macarena. In the wider, northern section of this slope there are high, flat plains and páramos, and permanently snow covered peaks such as the 5,493 metres (18,022 ft) Sierra Nevada del Cocuy. Further south it is narrower and lower, with peaks under 3,000 metres (9,800 ft). [3]

Climate

Koppen climate in the Venezuelan section Koppen Andes Perija.png
Koppen climate in the Venezuelan section

The Köppen climate classification is "Cfb": warm temperate, fully humid, warm summer. [4] At a sample location at coordinates 5°45′N73°15′W / 5.75°N 73.25°W / 5.75; -73.25 mean monthly temperatures vary little throughout the year, ranging from 11.7 °C (53.1 °F) to 13 °C (55 °F). Yearly total rainfall is about 900 millimetres (35 in). Monthly rainfall varies from 25.2 millimetres (0.99 in) in January to 104.8 millimetres (4.13 in) in April, drops to 55.2 millimetres (2.17 in) in August and rises to 135.3 millimetres (5.33 in) in October. [4]

Ecology

The ecoregion is in the Neotropical realm, in the tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests biome. [1] It is in the Northern Andean Montane Forests global ecoregion, which also includes the Magdalena Valley montane forests, Venezuelan Andes montane forests, Northwestern Andean montane forests, Cauca Valley montane forests, Santa Marta montane forests and Eastern Cordillera Real montane forests. [5] The Cordillera Oriental montane forests differ from other northern Andes montane forests due to the influence of the dry forests of the foothills and the Llanos grasslands. [3]

The Serranía de Perijá in the north is in some ways more similar to the isolated Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta than to the eastern slope of the Cordillera Oriental. There are also significant differences in fauna of the northeastern and southeastern slopes, although flora are similar. [3]

Flora

Up to about 1,500 metres (4,900 ft) the vegetation is dense premontane or montane moist forest. Higher up this gives way to temperate oak forests and then elfin forests, before yielding to ericaceous scrub and páramo at the highest levels. [1] There are pockets of premontane dry forest in areas with lower rainfall. Moist piedmont forest in the central part merges into the transition to the llanos grasslands. Moist piedmont forest in the southern part merges into the moist forest of the northwestern Amazon basin. The 1,800 metres (5,900 ft) Serranía de la Macarena runs in a southeast direction from the southern part of the slope into lowland moist forest. It contains Andean, llanos and Amazonian species of flora. [3] Plants of families such as Arecaceae and Meliaceae are very similar in the northeastern and southeastern slopes. 63 species of palms have been identified, of which 5 are endemic. [3]

Fauna

The ecoregion has rich diversity of fauna. 878 species of birds have been identified with 18 endemic taxa, 169 species of frogs of which 32 are endemic Threatened species include the spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus). [3] Other endangered mammals include Geoffroy's spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi), red-crested tree-rat (Santamartamys rufodorsalis), mountain tapir (Tapirus pinchaque) and woodland Oldfield mouse (Thomasomys hylophilus). [6] Endangered reptiles include Anolis ruizii and Colombian lightbulb lizard (Riama columbiana). [6]

Andean condor (Vultur gryphus) Andean Condor E (Vultur gryphus) (15336691534).jpg
Andean condor (Vultur gryphus)

Of 429 bird species recorded in the Serranía de Perijá, 76% are also recorded in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, with about the same percentage of species also found on the eastern slopes. The northeastern and southeastern slopes have similar bird populations. The Andean condor (Vultur gryphus) is endangered. [3] Other endangered birds include chestnut-bellied hummingbird (Amazilia castaneiventris), Táchira antpitta (Grallaria chthonia), Cundinamarca antpitta (Grallaria kaestneri), Colombian mountain grackle (Macroagelaius subalaris), Perijá metaltail (Metallura iracunda), gorgeted wood quail (Odontophorus strophium), yellow-eared parrot (Ognorhynchus icterotis), helmeted curassow (Pauxi pauxi), Antioquia bristle tyrant (Phylloscartes lanyoni), Bogotá rail (Rallus semiplumbeus), Perijá thistletail (Asthenes perijana), black-and-chestnut eagle (Spizaetus isidori) and Niceforo's wren (Thryophilus nicefori). [6]

The northeastern and southeastern slopes have distinctive populations of frogs. 41 species of frogs have been identified on the northeastern slope and 43 on the southeastern slope. Only 15 species are found on both slopes. [3] Endangered amphibians include Atelopus minutulus , Atelopus petriruizi , Centrolene petrophilum , Cryptobatrachus nicefori , Gastrotheca espeletia , Gastrotheca orophylax , Gastrotheca ruizi , Charta tree frog (Hyloscirtus denticulentus), Rio Chingual Valley tree frog (Hyloscirtus pantostictus), Papallacta tree frog (Hyloscirtus psarolaimus), Hypodactylus elassodiscus and Pristimantis merostictus . [6]

Of the Ithomiini and Heliconiinae butterfly subfamilies in the Serranía del Perijá, 80% are found in the Sierra Nevada but only 40% in the eastern cordillera slopes. 53 species of butterfly subfamily Satyrinae are found on the northeastern slope and 28 found in the southeastern slope. Only 9 are common to both slopes. 60 species and subspecies of the butterfly tribe Ithomiini are found on the northeastern slope and 78 found in the southeastern slope. Only 45 are common to both slopes. [3]

Status

Sierra de Perija National Park Serrania del Perija - Cerro Pintao.jpg
Sierra de Perijá National Park

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) gives the Cordillera Oriental montane forests ecoregion a status of "Vulnerable". [3] As of the mid-1980s remnants of the original vegetation covering 4,733 square kilometres (1,827 sq mi) remained intact. [3] A 2006 book reported that of 68,736 square kilometres (26,539 sq mi), 14,116 square kilometres (5,450 sq mi) was protected, or 20.5%. 43% of the habitat has been transformed. [7] The WWF website in 2017 said 60% of the habitat in Colombia has been altered. The Venezuelan portion is thought to be more intact. [3]

The ecosystem has been fragmented by logging, farming and ranching, particularly in the lower areas. Hydroelectric projects and roads are also threats. Coal mining and oil extraction cause habitat destruction in Venezuela. Colonization in the foothills in the Amazon region and the Serranía de la Macarena is introducing subsistence agriculture and widespread grazing. Forest clearing to grow plants yielding illegal drugs, and destruction of these plants by burning and herbicides, are major causes of disruption to the habitat. Despite these threats, there are still high levels of biodiversity. [3]

The 3,000 square kilometres (1,200 sq mi) Sierra de Perijá National Park in Venezuela has been proposed as a biosphere reserve. The 821 square kilometres (317 sq mi) Catatumbo Barí National Natural Park in Colombia protects part of the ecoregion, and 1,746 square kilometres (674 sq mi) lies within indigenous territories. [3]

Notes

    1. 1 2 3 4 Cordillera Oriental montane forests – Myers, WWF Abstract.
    2. WildFinder – WWF.
    3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Naranjo.
    4. 1 2 Cordillera Oriental montane forests – Myers, Climate Data.
    5. Northern Andean Montane Forests – WWF Global.
    6. 1 2 3 4 Cordillera Oriental montane forests – Myers, All Endangered.
    7. Zimmerer 2006, p. 220.

    Sources

    Related Research Articles

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Cordillera Oriental (Colombia)</span>

    The Cordillera Oriental is the widest of the three branches of the Colombian Andes. The range extends from south to north dividing from the Colombian Massif in Huila Department to Norte de Santander Department where it splits into the Serranía del Perijá and the Cordillera de Mérida in Venezuelan Andes. The highest peak is Ritacuba Blanco at 5,410 m (17,750 ft) in the Sierra Nevada del Cocuy.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Cordillera de la Costa montane forests</span> Ecoregion in Venezuela

    The Cordillera de la Costa montane forests is a montane ecoregion of the tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests biome, in the Venezuelan Coastal Range on the Caribbean Sea in northern Venezuela.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Northern Andean páramo</span>

    The Northern Andean páramo (NT1006) is an ecoregion containing páramo vegetation above the treeline in the Andes of Colombia and Ecuador. In the past, when the climate was cooler, the treeline and the páramo units were lower and the units were connected. During the present warmer Holocene epoch the páramos have migrated uphill, shrinking and becoming isolated. They contain many rare or endangered species, some of them restricted to a narrow area of one mountain or mountain range. The ecoregion is relatively well preserved, but faces threats from over-grazing and farming.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Santa Marta páramo</span>

    The Santa Marta páramo (NT1007) is an ecoregion containing páramo vegetation above the treeline in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountain range on the Caribbean coast of Colombia. The isolated position of the range has allowed unique species to evolve. Some are related to those found in Central America and the Caribbean coastal areas, and some to species from the Andes. The habitat is relatively stable, but has been drastically changed from the original by long-term human activity.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Cordillera Central páramo</span> Ecoregion in the Andes Mountains

    The Cordillera Central páramo (NT1004) is an ecoregion containing páramo vegetation above the treeline in the Andes mountain range of northern Peru and southern Ecuador. Due to its isolation there are high levels of endemism. Despite many human settlements and some destruction of habitat by agriculture and mining, the ecoregion is relatively intact.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Venezuelan Andes montane forests</span>

    The Venezuelan Andes montane forests (NT0175) is an ecoregion in the northern arm of the Andes in Venezuela. It contains montane and cloud forests, reaching up to the high-level Cordillera de Merida páramo high moor ecoregion. The forests are home to many endemic species of flora and fauna. Their lower levels are threatened by migrant farmers, who clear patches of forest to grow crops, then move on.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Apure–Villavicencio dry forests</span>

    The Apure–Villavicencio dry forests (NT0201) is an ecoregion in Venezuela and Colombia to the east of the eastern cordillera of the Andes. The ecoregion covers the transition zone between montane forests in the Andes and the llanos, or lowland grasslands. It has been severely degraded by deforestation, farming and ranching. The remnants are poorly protected.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Catatumbo moist forests</span>

    The Catatumbo moist forests (NT0108) is an ecoregion in Venezuela and Colombia to the west and east of Lake Maracaibo. It includes four regions of moist forest on slightly higher ground than the dry forest and mangroves that surround the lake. The forest has unique flora related to the flora of the Amazon basin. It is badly degraded due to farming, livestock grazing and oil exploration.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Táchira Depression</span>

    The Táchira Depression is a saddle of land connecting the Lake Maracaibo basin to the Orinoco basin in the state of Táchira, Venezuela. It forms a break in the eastern Andes, separating the Tamá Massif to the west from the Cordillera de Mérida to the east. The depression has been thought to present a barrier to the movement of species between the Colombian and Venezuelan Andes, but this effect may have been relatively low during the recent ice ages. The mountains of the region have potential for coffee farming and hydroelectric power generation, while the lower levels are suitable for farming.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Maracaibo dry forests</span> Ecoregion surrounding Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela

    The Maracaibo dry forests (NT0222) is an ecoregion in Venezuela around Lake Maracaibo. It contains the country's main oil fields. The habitat is criss-crossed by roads and is severely degraded by farming and livestock grazing.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Sinú Valley dry forests</span>

    The Sinú Valley dry forests (NT0229) is an ecoregion in the north of Colombia.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Magdalena–Urabá moist forests</span> Ecoregion in Northern Colombia

    The Magdalena–Urabá moist forests (NT0137) is an ecoregion in the north of Colombia. The terrain is largely flat or undulating, but includes mountainous areas in the south. It contains moist forests and large wetlands that are important to resident and migratory birds. The ecoregion forms a bridge between the Pacific coast ecoregions of Colombia and Central America, and the ecoregions of the Andes and Amazon. It is surrounded by the more populated parts of Colombia and is threatened by farming, ranching, logging, oil exploitation and water pollution in the main rivers.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Chocó–Darién moist forests</span>

    The Chocó–Darién moist forests (NT0115) is an ecoregion in the west of Colombia and east of Panama. The region has extremely high rainfall, and the forests hold great biodiversity. The northern and southern parts of the ecoregion have been considerably modified for ranching and farming, and there are threats from logging for paper pulp, uncontrolled gold mining, coca growing and industrialisation, but the central part of the ecoregion is relatively intact.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Eastern Panamanian montane forests</span>

    The Eastern Panamanian montane forests (NT0122) is an ecoregion in the east of Panama and the extreme northwest of Colombia. It contains diverse flora and fauna, with considerable endemism. The ecoregion is largely intact due to its inaccessibility, although the opening of an extension of the Pan-American Highway has introduced threats from human activity.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Northwestern Andean montane forests</span>

    The Northwestern Andean montane forests (NT0145) is an ecoregion on the Andes mountains in the west of Colombia and Ecuador. Both flora and fauna are highly diverse due to effect of ice ages when the warmer climate zones were separated and the cooler ones combined, and interglacial periods when the reverse occurred. Because the environment is hospitable to humans, the habitat has been drastically modified by farming and grazing since the Pre-Columbian era.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Magdalena Valley montane forests</span>

    The Magdalena Valley montane forests (NT0136) is an ecoregion in the Andes mountains of central Colombia.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Cauca Valley montane forests</span>

    The Cauca Valley montane forests (NT0109) is an ecoregion in western Colombia. It covers the sides of the Cauca Valley, which runs from south to north between the Central and Western Ranges (cordilleras) of the Colombian Andes. The ecoregion is home to very diverse fauna and flora, due in part to its varied elevations and climates, in part to its position near the isthmus of Panama, the route along which North American species invaded South America and then diversified as they moved to the upper parts of the Andes. Little of the original habitat remains at lower levels, but higher up there are sizeable blocks of forest, some of which are protected.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Santa Marta montane forests</span>

    The Santa Marta montane forests (NT0159) is an ecoregion in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, a massif on the Caribbean coast of northern Colombia. The ecoregion covers altitudes from near sea level up to around 3,300 metres (10,827 ft), where it gives way to Santa Marta páramo. The isolation of the massif and the range of elevations and climates has resulted in a wide variety of species including many endemics. The lower levels contained tropical rainforest, which has largely been cleared. Higher up, this gives way to cloud forest. Much of this has also been cleared for coffee plantations, pasture for sheep and cattle, and farming.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Eastern Cordillera Real montane forests</span>

    The Eastern Cordillera Real montane forests (NT0121) is an ecoregion in the eastern range of the Andes of southern Colombia, Ecuador and northern Peru. The ecoregion covers the eastern slopes of the Andes, and includes montane forest that rises from the Amazonian rain forest, with cloud forest and elfin forest at higher elevations. It is rich in species, including many endemics. It is threatened by logging and conversion for pasturage and subsistence agriculture.