Palm savannah: characteristics, flora and fauna

These are the main characteristics of the Palm Savannah or Tropical Humid Savanna :

• It has an approximate altitude of 300 meters above sea level.
• The characteristic climate of the Sabana de Palmeras is highly variable due to the vast area it occupies. In the eastern north there is a more humid climate and the changes by seasons are not suffered. However, the southwest area is seasonal and very dry in times of drought. As for the average annual temperature, in general, it oscillates between 20 ° C and 27 ° C.
• The rains that the ecoregion presents occur in summer reaching 1,500 mm, as a consequence these can end up flooding a large area of ​​the savannah. It is in May and October when this area suffers from drought, although in some years the dry season can last up to 7 months.
• It is characterized by a flat relief, but some low hills can be found in some areas. The elevation of the territory does not exceed 300 meters above sea level.
• The soils of the Sabana de Palmeras are formed by alluvial soils, contain little organic matter, in addition to having poor drainage and a very acidic pH. In the rainy season the soils can become flooded and in the dry season, the scarcity of rainfall causes crevices to be produced in the soil with a depth of 70 cm.
• It is an irrigation and discharge area for the Tambopata, Wiener, Palma Real, d’Orbigny, Namegua and Heath rivers, some of which come from the thaw generated in the Andes. Other bodies of water found in this area are lakes, permanent swamps, and swamps.
• It is vulnerable in dry seasons, since fires occur at this time. Although they are vulnerable to these times, being less accessible they are protected from anthropic activities.
• The flora that predominates in the territory is adapted to dry seasons, such as prolonged rainfall.

The Sabana de Palmeras ecoregion is identified by its endemic biodiversity, making this a very valuable place. In it there are a large number of animal and plant species, including those that are in danger of extinction or vulnerability.

In the Sabana de Palmeras there are about 1,500 plant species in the flat areas and, in addition, within the forests there are approximately 5,000 species. Its plant formations are classified into four classes and these are some examples of plants from the Sabana de Palmeras :

• Gallery forest: these are located right on the banks of the rivers, that is why in times of rain they are flooded with the floods of the river. Trees such as aguaje, huasaí or açaí and ungurahui are those that can be seen in the gallery forests of the area.
• Panojal de la pampa: in which the scattered grasses and shrubs stand out.
• Forests in the hills: scattered tahuarí trees, ratapanga bushes and some palm trees are in the hill forests, although there are mostly grasslands there.
• Adjacent forests: the species present are sugar huayo, alfaro, ungurahui and shimbillo. Despite the Savannah being characterized by rather poorly drained soil, the adjacent forest soils can boast much better drainage soils.

The name given to the Sabana de Palmera is determined by the species of palm trees found in the ecoregion. These are some of those that we can find: the shapaja or bacurí, the huasaí or açaí, the ungurahui, the sancona palm and the Bactris Major from the southern Amazon.

Within the fauna of the Sabana de Palmeras there are some endemic species , such as the swamp deer or swamp deer, the hairy wolf, the pygmy short-tailed marsupial, the grass rat, the spectral bat and the behn bat, and the nine-banded armadilllo. But, of course, there are many more animals of the Sabana de Palmeras :

• Mammals: the puma, the jaguar, the Moorish cat or yaguarundí, the giant otter and the anteater. There are also primates such as the black and gold howler monkey, the lucachi, the white-eared marmoset or the Azara night monkey.
• Birds: the white-bellied tinamou, the great common rhea or ostrich of the Americas, the crowned eagle of Azara or the burrowing owl, among others.
• Reptiles: the black alligator caiman, anacondas and false cobras
• Amphibians: the ox toad, the swamp frogs, the painted toad or arrowhead frog.
• Fish: black pacú, boquichico or tarpon and grated catfish.

In addition, among some of the mentioned species, there are those that are in danger of extinction such as the giant otter, the hairy wolf and the black caiman.

Although in general the Sabana de Palmeras is protected since it is difficult to access it, it does receive some impacts, especially in those areas that are close to population centers. The negative impacts on the Sabana de Palmeras by people’s actions are:

• The felling of trees , degrading the soil as well as the bodies of water that are nearby.
• Livestock, since a large number of cattle circulate through the territory deteriorating the vegetation.