The Lago Preto Conservation Concession continued...
The seasonally flooded forests are flooded by the white waters of the Yavari between 4 to six months a year. These forests are situated in the Yavari floodplain and have softer alluvial soils and a lower canopy than the upland forests. Levees, or slightly raised floodplain islands are interspersed by swamps and low lying streams. The varzea forests have a lower floral diversity than the upland forests.
Palm swamps are usually situated at the boarder between the upland and flooded forests. These low laying habitats are dominated by the emergent Mauritia palms. Palm swamps usually extended for several kilometers and have permanent water stands. Palm swamps have a high production of Mauritia palm fruits, which are eaten by a great diversity of wildlife. This habitat appears to support many mammalian and avian species, such as Uakari monkeys, squirrel monkeys, and most species of macaws.
The Lago Preto Conservation Concession has seven major ox-bow lakes. These lakes are protected under the concessions management plan and have an extraordinary
diversity and abundance of fish, including large populations of Peacock Bass, the large Arapaima, catfish, Arawana, sting rays, and many other species. In addition, the lakes have a recovering population of giant river otters and a healthy population of wading birds. Macaw tree licks can also be found on some of the lakes and they usually have around 40 individuals perched in the mornings and afternoons.
The Lago Preto Conservation Concession has the greatest resident population of Red Uakari monkeys found to date. This population of Red Uakari monkeys is estimated at around 500 individuals within the concession. Most of the Red Uakari monkeys are habituated and easy to observe. Large mammals are regularly sighted along the forest trails, including peccaries, the occasional tapir, many primate species, edentates such as armadillos, anteaters, and sloths, and large cat species.
We will undertaking two Amazon Riverboat Expeditions to the Lago Preto Conservation Concession this summer, June 21-27 and July 12-18. This is your best opportunity to experience this outstanding wildlife destination.
