Panama is known to have more than 9,915 plants species resting on its land or hanging on trees, mammals of different species amounting to 218, 242 reptiles and 182 amphibians. All of which is housed by the beautiful country that tourists would want to see.
The country has rich diversity because of the fact that it has been like a bridge that connects two big continents of South and North America. This makes species on the two different regions meet and mingle with each other.
As time goes, Panama’s rainforest is still sustained and just some of its biodiversity got lost due to the Panama Canal Construction.
Deforestation also plays a big part in the probable loss of Panama’s rich plants and animals. Deforestation at the country started at the end of 19th century up to the beginning of the 20th century. But with the government’s conscious effort to maintain the biodiversity of Panama, it has the lowest deforestation rate in the last 10-15 years amongst Latin American countries.
Deforestation rate in Panama was 0.2% annually from 1990-2000, and from 2000-2005 it has 0.1%. But these figures do not stop the government to continue their program in protecting the rainforest. There are still serious deforestation problems that need further action.
As part of protecting the rainforest, Panama government has already established 14 national parks in the intention of protecting the animals and plants of the country.
The world has also recognized some of the national parks in Panama that protects the biodiversity by awarding them the UNESCO’s World Heritage Site. These three national parks include:
- Darien National Park
- La Amistad International Park
- Coiba National Park
Darien National Park is the largest national park in Panama that covers a land area of 597,000 ha. Aside from a large range of animal species inhabiting the park, Darien National Park also is home for Choco and Cuna Indians.
La Amistad International Park is a protected area that is a boundary of Costa Rica and Panama. The part of the park that is of Panama’s has an area of 207,000 ha.
Coiba National Park has an area covering of an estimated 270,000 ha and is at an island in the Pacific Ocean, 53, 000 ha terrestrial area and 217, 000 ha marine area.
Having these kinds of parks enclosing the biodiversity of Panama and housing the plants and animals makes it easier for the government to preserve them so the next generation can still enjoy the beauty of the countries rich biodiversity.
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