Description:
This report presents the findings of a 2003 biological expedition to a remote, little-explored area of the Venezuelan Amazon at the confluence of the Orinoco and Ventuari Rivers. The survey, conducted by the Center for Applied Biodiversity Science, discovered extremely high levels of biodiversity, with more than 350 species of plants and 245 species of fishes. It also found alarming threats from illegal mining and environmental degradation.
Brief description:
Carlos A. Lasso is the coordinator of biological conservation and use of biodiversity at the Alexander von Humbolt Institute in Colombia. Josefa C. Señaris is director of the Museo de Historia Natural La Salle in Caracas, Venezuela. Anabel Rial is the former science coordinator for Conservation International Venezuela and is a botanical and conservation consultant. Ana Liz Flores is the former director of Conservation International Venezuela and is a natural resource management consultant.