World Heritage Identification Number: 998
World Heritage since: 2000
Category: Natural Heritage
Transboundary Heritage: No
Endangered Heritage: No
Country: 🇧🇷 Brazil
Continent: Americas
UNESCO World Region: Latin America and the Caribbean
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Central Amazon Conservation Complex: A Biodiverse Treasure Trove in the Heart of the Amazon Rainforest
The Central Amazon Conservation Complex (CACC) stands as a testament to the richness and diversity of the Amazon rainforest, earning its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. Spanning over 39,000 square miles (101,000 square kilometers), it represents the largest protected area within the Amazon Basin and boasts an unparalleled wealth of biodiversity.
More to come…UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site
The Central Amazon Conservation Complex makes up the largest protected area in the Amazon Basin and is one of the planet’s richest regions in terms of biodiversity. It also includes an important sample of varzea ecosystems, igapó forests, lakes and channels which take the form of a constantly evolving aquatic mosaic that is home to the largest array of electric fish in the world. The site protects key threatened species, including giant arapaima fish, the Amazonian manatee, the black caiman and two species of river dolphin.
UNESCO Justification of the World Heritage Site
Criterion (ix): The varzea and igapó forests, lakes, rivers, and islands of the proposed site together constitute physical and biological formations and demonstrate ongoing ecological processes in the development of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems. They include a constantly changing and evolving mosaic of river channels, lakes, and landforms. The floating (and constantly moving and changing) mats of vegetation typical of the varzea watercourses include a significant number of endemic species, including the largest array of electric fishes in the world. Anavilhanas contains the second largest archipelago of river islands in the Brazilian Amazon.
Criterion (x): The expanded property substantially increases the already impressive protection offered by Jaú National Park to the biological diversity, habitats, and endangered species found in the Central Amazon region. The area is one of the Endemic Bird Areas of the World, is considered as one of the World Wildlife Fund’s 200 Priority Ecoregion for Conservation, and it is also a Centre of Plant Diversity. The expansion of Jaú National Park to include an important sample of Varzea ecosystems, igapó forests, lakes and channels significantly increases the representation of the aquatic biodiversity of the Central Amazon region. Expansion of the site also enhance the protection of key threatened species including giant arapaima fish, the Amazonian manatee, the black caiman, and two species of river dolphin.
Encyclopedia Record: Jaú National Park
The Jaú National Park is a national park located in the state of Amazonas, Brazil. It is one of the largest forest reserves in South America, and part of a World Heritage Site.Additional Site Details
Area: 5,232,018 hectares
(x) — Contains most important habitats for biodiversity
Coordinates: -2.333333333 , -62.00833333
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© Diego Lezama, CC BY-SA 4.0 Resized from original. (This derivative is under the same CC BY-SA license.)
