2. COLOMBIAN BIODIVERSITY: FAUNA, FLORA
Objective:
To understands the different interactions of the
elements of the earth and its effects on the
preservation of the planet.
Learning Objectives:
Recognizing the value of Colombian Biodiversity and
why is important for our country.
3. Biblical principle:
Psalm 19:1
New International Version - UK (NIVUK)
1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the
work of his hands.
¡His perfect Creation!
God put His works on a permanent display. The creation is like a
gallery. The heavens, the vast empty space, has God's mighty works
all poised and properly rotating about as in the best of displays.
4. Project: “Colombian Biodiversity”
Students will make a presentation about
Colombian Biodiversity: fauna, flora and the
most important natural parks. At the end the
students will create a slogan about the
preservation of the planet.
They may use PowerPoint presentations,
pictures, or videos.
Groups: 3 students
6. BIODIVERSITY
Thinking of Colombia, it comes to mind a geographically and natural privileged
territory, that emerges from the waters of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans
and that is found in the northeastern end of Latin America, serving as a
meeting point for the continent.
Its 1’142.000 kilometer surface it’s crossed by the imposing Andean mountain
range that comes from Ecuador, its neighbor country, and it divides itself in
tree branches that receive the names of western, central and eastern
mountain range. Additionally, the Colombian territory counts with 2 important
mountain formations: the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and the wonderful
Serranía de la Macarena.
7. BIODIVERSITY
According to its altitude, Colombia counts with all warm, cold and in between
weathers, and because of the fact that its soils come from volcanic activity
they blend perfectly to offer the most varied and exotic crops.
Its unique mountain system, with its plateaus, rainforests, plains, snowy
mountains, “páramos” (similar to Tundra), and wetlands; its coasts lie on the
two oceans; the extend and torrential rivers that go trough it; the fact of
having a part of the Amazon, the biggest lung of the world, determine the
richness of the flora and fauna and the climatic variety for which the country
is known worldwide.
8. BIODIVERSITY
Its varied geographical characteristics have granted the adequate
conditions so that in its territory can live a great variety of animal and
vegetable species.
Colombia has 0.8% of the planet’s terrestrial surface, but it’s the third
country with greater biodiversity in the world, after Brazil and Indonesia.
9. FLORA IN COLOMBIA
Of the many surprises Colombia has to offer, few
expect it to be a country so rich in flora and, yet,
Colombia is the country with the highest rate of
species by unit of area in the entire world. Colombia,
lest you not believe us, is home to over 130,000
species of plants.
10. FLORA IN COLOMBIA
Colombia has:
moorland biomes,
Amazon jungles,
Amazon bushes hills,
deserts,
tropical rainforests,
mangrove forests,
and marsh vegetation.
With this variety Colombia ranks as one of the 19 mega-
diverse countries in the world.
11. FLORA
Colombia also boasts many endemic species of plant, including
the national tree, the Wax Palm (or ceroxylon quindiuense)
which is only found in the stunning Cocora Valley of Colombia.
Others include the vast array of heliconia species. In fact, a
massive 10% of the species in the world are native to Colombia.
Colombia has between 40,000 and 90,000 species of plants,
equivalent to 10 or 20% of all plant species worldwide,
To witness these endemisms first hand, your best places to visit
are the Colombian Amazon Basin, the Catatumbo River basin, the
Mid-Magdadena River Basin and the Pacific Coast.
It’s famous for its flowers, amongst which outstands the orchid,
the national flower that has near 3.000 varieties.
12. Cruziana flower Victoria regia or
Victoria in the Amazon basin.
Colombia's national tree (wax
palm) in the Valley of Cocora.
Orchid (Cattleya trianae) is the national
flower of Colombia.
13. FAUNA
Fish:
Colombia has a total of 1200 species of marine fish and about 1600 species
of fresh water.
Amphibians
Colombia is the country of the globe with more species of amphibians,
representing 15% of the world total.
Reptiles
Colombia is possibly the third country in the world reptile species, with
30% of turtle species and 25% of species of crocodiles, along with 222
species of snakes
14. Birds
The Biodiversity Information System of Colombia SIBC, based
primer Alexander von Humboldt Biological Resources Research
Institute, estimates that the number of bird species in the
country is 1885, with a record of 197 migratory species, limits
without But the number of known species changes almost daily,
however, information from verifiable sources is presented and
updated 2011.
15. FAUNA
Colombia boasts the highest rate of animal species
by unit area in the whole world. From birds to
monkeys to toucans to parrots to sloths to bears,
it’s a dazzling array of species that has to be seen
to be believed.
It holds the first place in the world when it comes
to bird diversity. It has near 1.800 species of the
more than 9.000 existing species in the planet.
It counts with a huge amphibian, reptile, bats,
rodent and insect varieties. It counts with more
than 3.000 butterfly species.
16. FAUNA
In Colombia almost 2000 species of bird
have been described, which is more
species of bird than there are in North
America and Europe combined. This
staggering figure includes one of the
biggest birds on earth, the Andean
condor. The best place to witness the
bulk of this bird life is in the environs of
the Amazon (South Colombia), Minca
(near Tayrona National Park) and the
Coffee Region (West Colombia).
17. FAUNA
Colombia also has the largest number of
amphibians in the world (including the
most venomous verterbrae in the world,
the phyllobates terribilis), with over
200 different species in danger of
extinction thanks to various reasons,
including air and water pollution. You can
also find reptiles such as crocodiles and
snakes throughout the Amazon region.
18. FAUNA
One of the highlights of Colombia’s wildlife is whale watching,
which you can do every year in July on Colombia’s Pacific Coast.
These waters are ideal for whales fleeing the South Pole’s waters
for a warmer environment and allow the females to give birth.
The best places to witness this unforgettable moment in nature
are Bahía Solano, Nuquí, Gorgona National Natural Park and Bahía
Malaga (Buenaventura).
19. When discovering animals native to Colombia the best
place to start is in the sky. The Condor is the national
bird of many South American countries including
Colombia. The Andean Condor is considered in
Colombia to be the king of the sky. This amazing bird
has a wing span of just over 10 feet. This makes it the
largest flying bird on the planet.
20. The next amazing animal native to Colombia is the Anaconda.
This snake is one of the longest and heaviest snakes in the
world. These massive snakes can get up to 30 feet in length
and almost a foot in diameter. There amazing diet can consist
of anything from fish to deer, and even have been known to
eat a jaguar.
21. One of the most unique
animals that call Colombia its
home is the Capybara.
This semi-aquatic herbivorous
animal is the largest living
rodent. They live in large
herds and spend a majority of
there time on the banks of
rivers.
22. Finally we have the
Southern Right Whale.
This enormous sight is
found on the pacific coast
and can be up to 59 feet in
length. This beautiful
creature is a sight to
behold.
23. Around 20% of the 465 reported mammal
species are endangered or critically endangered.
This is mostly due to human activity and, therefore,
preventable. The consumption of natural resources
in Colombia is a massive problem, but one without an
easily identifiable answer since many of the
country’s vulnerable communities rely on its natural
resources for income and sustenance. Better
education in how to raise crops has been suggested
as a start.
30. NATURAL PARKS OF COLOMBIA
Colombia is one of the richest countries in the world in biological
and cultural diversity. We preserve such wealth in 53 natural
areas that belong to the National Natural Parks System.
31. THE TAYRONA NATIONAL NATURAL PARK The park presents a
biodiversity endemic to the area of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
mountain range presenting a variety of climates (mountain climate) and
geography that ranges from arid sea level to 900 meters above sea
level.
It was the second most visited national park in Colombia in 2012, with
293,502 visitors. The most visited park was the Rosario and San
Bernardo Corals National Natural Park
32. Activities, Lodging, Camping, Diving,
Biodiversity, Archeology, Beaches,
Geography, in Tayrona National Park
in Colombia near Santa Marta.
Tayrona's visitors pass their time
lounging along the beaches or
relaxing in hammocks or they can
embark upon a uphill hike from
Cabo San Juan
They have the opportunity to
catch a glimpse of the park's
abundant wildlife, which include
titi and howler monkeys, parrots
and tropical birds, a variety of
frogs and iguanas, and more.
33. THE ROSARIO AND SAN BERNARDO CORALS NATIONAL
NATURAL PARK
Is a natural park located in the Sucre and Bolívar Departments on the
coast of the Caribbean Region of Colombia, 45 km from the Bay of
Cartagena. It was the most visited national park in Colombia in 2009,
with 318,473 visitors.
34. SIERRA NEVADA DE SANTA MARTA
The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Natural Park is Colombia's
second oldest national park, established in 1964. It is a sanctuary as well as
a tourist attraction, because it offers different climate, terrain, flora and
fauna environments, ranging from beaches to snowy mountain peaks. Sierra
Nevada de Santa Marta National Natural Park is considered a unique place
in the world due to its isolation from the Andes and its highest peak (5775
meters over sea level) is located just 42 km away from the sea.
