A monitoring using 60 camera traps, set up by Red TEAM-Network, collected more than 20,000 images of different terrestrial species at Manu National Park, making it the most biodiverse place on earth.
According to the National Service of Natural Areas Protected by the State (Sernanp), in order to perform this monitoring process several camera tramps were set up during the dry season from May to September in two sites, Pakitza and Cocha Cashu.
The obtained images were analyzed, classified and uploaded into the Wildlife Picture Index Analytics System with the aim of comparing terrestrial vertebrates around the world.
It was observed that this natural protected area hosts the most biodiversity of terrestrial vertebrates after comparing the index at Manu National Park with that of 17 Red-TEAM locations in Asia, Africa and Latin America,
In this regard, Manu has a biodiversity index of 1.64, compared to the global index of 1.06 and the Latin America’s 1.10.
Biodiversity is the degree of variation of life forms within a given species, ecosystem, biome, or planet.
It should be noted Manu has recently broken records for numbers of amphibians and reptiles.
According to Discover Peru, there are at least 1300 species of butterflies and 650 species of beetle but are so exotic they still haven’t been named and these numbers not confirmed.
In addition, Manu is one of the most reliable destinations to see Jaguars. Nearly 70% of visitors have seen these magnificent cats during the dry season in recent years according to recent figures from the National Park Authorities.
The world record for the most bird species seen in a day in a single location was set on the Manu River with a staggering 331 species being recorded.
A total of 1,025 species of birds (over 10% of the world’s total) have been recorded in the Manu Biosphere Reserve. More than the number found in the United States and Canada combined.
Furthermore, more than 20,000 plant species are present in the park including trees, ferns, orchids, and more. These numbers continue to grow and new species are being discovered all the time which is why Manu can still claim to be the most biodiverse place on earth.
(END) NDP/LIT/RMB
Published: 10/23/2014