Petites Montagnes Tortue Biological Reserve Explained

Petites Montagnes Tortue Biological Reserve
Location:French Guiana, France
Map:French Guiana
Nearest City:Régina
Coordinates:4.3099°N -52.2154°W
Established:30 September 2016[1]
Area:23.64km2[2]
Iucn Category:Ib
Governing Body:National Forests Office

The Petites Montagnes Tortue Biological Reserve (French: Réserve biologique intégrale des Petites Montagnes Tortue) is a wilderness area in French Guiana, France. Petites Montagnes Tortue is located about six kilometres from Régina.[3] It is a mountain range rich in quartz and quartzites with a summit of . The mountains are home to a diverse flora and fauna with about 20 species which are rare or endemic.[4]

Overview

The Petites Montagnes Tortue is a small mountain range rich in quartz and quartzites. The irregular hills are covered with forests with hibiscus, eperua and amaranth species.[3] The forests are a refuge for flora and fauna dating from the Pleistocene, and are characterised by a large biodiversity and endemism.[4] The geomorphology with steep slopes result in rare habitats which are home to localised species.[3]

About 20 species have been identified which are rare or endemic,[4] and include astrocaryum minus, eschweilera squamata, heliconia dasyantha, and octomeria sarthouae.[3] The dyeing poison dart frog is present in the mountains in great abundance.[3]

On 30 September 2016, Petites Montagnes Tortue Biological Reserve was protected as a wilderness area.[1] A foot path will be constructed to make the area accessible to the public.[5]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: FR24GUF02 - Petites Montagnes Tortue (Des) . Inventaire National du Patrimoine Naturel. 26 March 2021. fr.
  2. Web site: Petites Montagnes Tortue (Des) . Protected Planet. 26 March 2021.
  3. Web site: La Réserve biologique intégrale des Petites Montagnes Tortue . National Forests Office. 26 March 2021. fr.
  4. Web site: Petites Montagnes Tortue. DEAL de Guyane. 26 March 2021. fr.
  5. Web site: Réserve Biologique Intégrale des Petites Montagnes Tortue. Conservatoire d’Espaces Naturels de Guyane. 26 March 2021. fr.