The
Reserve is topographically diverse and elevations range from
sea level to 1,500 meters. It contains 34 ecosystems including
broadleaf tropical forest, gallery forest, wet and dry costal
savannas, mangrove forests, coastal lagoons and wetlands,
beaches and near shore marine. The area of highest ecosystem
diversity is the cultural zone that contains 32 of the 34
ecosystems present in the reserve.
Due to high ecosystem
diversity, it is estimated the reserve contains more than
2,000 vascular plant species as well as approximately 410
documented bird, 130 mammal, 126 reptile and amphibian species.
Particular species of interest include: giant anteater, Baird's
(Central American) tapir, jaguar, Caribbean manatee, harpy
eagle, scarlet macaw, great green macaw , king vulture, great
curassow and crested guan.
To learn more about the
Río Plátano
Biosphere Reserve:
