Wilderness area in French Guiana
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 287 metres (942 ft). 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.[2] A foot path will be constructed to make the area accessible to the public.[5]
References
