Noel Kempff Mercado National Park

World Heritage Research

Discover scientific research and academic studies that deepen our understanding of Noel Kempff Mercado National Park from its history and significance to its conservation, management, and contemporary challenges.

• Poteranthera inopinata (Melastomataceae), a new species from Noel Kempff Mercado National Park, Bolivia

  Scientists have identified Poteranthera inopinata, a new species of flowering plant belonging to the Melastomataceae family, exclusively found in the humid or seasonally flooded savannas of Noel Kempff Mercado National Park in eastern Bolivia. This discovery was made through detailed morphological analysis, distinguishing it by unique traits such as annual habit, glandular-tipped serrated leaves (3–10 mm long), and distinctive androecium structures with prolonged pedoconnectives. The species is compared to its closest relative, P. warmingii, and an updated key for the six recognized Poteranthera species is provided. The study also recommends a conservation assessment for this newly described plant, highlighting its potential ecological significance within the UNESCO-listed park's biodiversity.

  ALMEDA, F., & PACIFICO, R. (2023). Poteranthera inopinata (Melastomataceae), a new species from Noel Kempff Mercado National Park, Bolivia. Phytotaxa, 613(3), 271–279. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.613.3.6

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• A new species of Microlicia (Melastomataceae) from Bolivia and Brazil, a new synonym, and an identification key for the genus in Mato Grosso, Brazil

  Researchers have identified Microlicia windischii as a new species of plant within the Melastomataceae family, discovered in Noel Kempff Mercado National Park (Bolivia) and Serra Ricardo Franco State Park (Brazil). This species is distinguished by its linear-oblong leaf blades and subisomorphic stamens with concolorous, polysporangiate anthers. The study also provides a comparative analysis with related species (M. acuminata, M. arenariifolia, M. consimilis, M. juniperina, and M. multicaulis) and introduces an identification key for four Microlicia species in Mato Grosso, Brazil. Additionally, the research proposes to synonymize M. souzae-limae under M. helvola. The findings contribute to the taxonomic understanding of this genus while highlighting the biodiversity significance of these UNESCO-recognized protected areas.

  VERSIANE, A. F. A., DA SILVA, D. N., & ROMERO, R. (2020). A new species of Microlicia (Melastomataceae) from Bolivia and Brazil, a new synonym, and an identification key for the genus in Mato Grosso, Brazil. Phytotaxa, 455(1). https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.455.1.2

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• The effects of past climate variability on fire and vegetation in the cerrãdo savanna ecosystem of the Huanchaca Mesetta, Noel Kempff Mercado National Park, NE Bolivia

  A 14,500-year sedimentary record from Huanchaca Mesetta in Noel Kempff Mercado National Park reveals the resilience of cerrãdo savanna ecosystems to past climate variability. The study found that while fire activity increased during the Holocene due to warming conditions, fuel availability decreased under prolonged dry seasons, shaping modern vegetation patterns. Natural drivers—soil, climate, and fire—rather than human influence have primarily controlled vegetation and fire regimes in this ecosystem. Analyzing phytoliths, stable isotopes, and charcoal provided high-resolution insights into past environmental changes.

  Maezumi, S. Y., Power, M. J., Mayle, F. E., McLauchlan, K., & Iriarte, J. (2015). The effects of past climate variability on fire and vegetation in the cerrãdo savanna ecosystem of the Huanchaca Mesetta, Noel Kempff Mercado National Park, NE Bolivia. https://doi.org/10.5194/cpd-11-135-2015

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• The Maned Wolves of Noel Kempff Mercado National Park

  Maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus) exhibit unique territorial behavior and seasonal activity patterns, with home ranges varying from 40–123 km² and strong seasonal variations in land use. GPS-collar data revealed that adult maned wolves travel an average of 14 km/night during dry months and 7 km/night in wet months, with activity being sharply nocturnal in the dry season but partly diurnal in the rainy season. The study also found that females hold territories into which males move to form pairs, while young males emigrate. Young females often stay on natal territories as presumed helpers, acquiring the territory upon the disappearance or death of adult females. Dental disease was identified as a major cause of morbidity, with extreme tooth wear observed by 8 years old. Habitat loss and drought-related resource loss are significant conservation threats to the species in Noel Kempff Mercado National Park, Bolivia.

  Emmons, L. H. (Ed.). (2012). The Maned Wolves of Noel Kempff Mercado National Park. Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology. https://doi.org/10.5479/si.00810282.639

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• Variation in Diet and Resources

  Maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus) in Noel Kempff Mercado National Park exhibit significant dietary flexibility, adapting their food choices based on resource availability. The study found that while small mammals and fruits constitute the core of their diet, these carnivores also opportunistically consume other plant materials when primary resources are scarce. Researchers analyzed scat samples and stomach contents to assess dietary composition across seasons, revealing a dynamic feeding strategy that allows the species to thrive in diverse habitats within the park.

  Castro, J. M., & Emmons, L. H. (2012). Variation in Diet and Resources. Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology, (639), 37–55. https://doi.org/10.5479/si.00810282.639.37

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