• Source: Central American Atlantic moist forests

The Central American Atlantic moist forests ecoregion (WWF ID: NT0111) covers the lowland coastal forests of Honduras, southeast Guatemala, and the eastern forests of Nicaragua (plus two small patches in Belize). Half of the ecoregion is closed-canopy tropical broadleaf evergreen forest, with tree heights reaching 50 meters. This ecoregion has the largest single fragment of natural forest in Central America, with a size of 14,629 square kilometres (5,648 sq mi). The total area is 89,979 square kilometres (34,741 sq mi).




Location and description


The ecoregion stretches for 700 km from the valley of Lake Izabal in southeastern Guatemala, across the northern coast of Honduras (in a 50 km wide strip), and down across most of the eastern half of Nicaragua (additionally alongside two minuscule patches in Belize). The mean elevation is 293 metres (961 ft), with a maximum of 2,270 metres (7,450 ft).




Climate


The climate of the ecoregion is Tropical monsoon climate (Köppen climate classification (Am)). This climate is characterized by relatively even temperatures throughout the year (all months being greater than 18 °C (64 °F) average temperature), and a pronounced dry season. The driest month has less than 60 mm of precipitation, but more than (100-(average/25) mm. This climate is mid-way between a tropical rainforest and a tropical savanna. Average precipitation in the ecoregion is 2,333 mm/year.




Flora and fauna


Half of the ecoregion is closed-canopy broadleaf evergreen rain forest, but with 30% of the territory converted agriculture. The remainder is open canopy evergreen forest or herbaceous wetland. From 1990 to 2000, the ecoregion was experiencing deforestation at a rate of just under 1% per year. The ecoregion contains a number of large undisturbed fragments, which is important for larger species of animals. (The largest mammals require an estimated 100 km2 fragment to sustain viable populations).




Protected areas


30.2% of the ecoregion is officially protected. These protected areas include:

Agalta National Park
Azul Meámbar National Park
Blanca Jeannette Kawas National Park (Punta Sal)
Bosawás Biosphere Reserve
Capiro-Calentura National Park
Cerro Azul National Park
Cerro Saslaya National Park
Chocón Machacas
Cuevas de Silvino National Park
Cusuco National Park
Montaña de Botaderos Carlos Escaleras Mejía National Park
Montaña de Yoro National Park
Nombre de Dios National Park
Omoa National Park
Patuca National Park
Pico Bonito National Park
Pico Píjol National Park
Punta Izopo National Park
Port Royal National Park
Río Dulce National Park
Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve
Santa Bárbara National Park
Tawahka Asagni Biosphere Reserve
Temash-Sarstoon National Park




References

Kata Kunci Pencarian:

• Central American Atlantic moist forests
• Isthmian–Atlantic moist forests
• Atlantic Forest
• Central American montane forests
• Petén–Veracruz moist forests
• Central American pine–oak forests
• Central American dry forests
• List of ecoregions in Guatemala
• Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests
• List of ecoregions in Nicaragua