Centraal Suriname Nature Reserve (CSNR) (23532)
Suriname, South America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2008
National site name: Centraal Suriname Natuurreservaat (CSNR)
Central coordinates: Latitude: 4.0195, Longitude: -56.4317
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 9 to 1230
Area of KBA (km2): 16004.42858
Protected area coverage (%): 95.06
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Centraal Suriname Natuur Reservaat is one of the largest nature reserves in South America. It is 10% of the surface of Suriname. This nature reserve is also a World Heritage site. It is covered by largely pristine rainforest on terra firma. There is also swamp forest and liana forest. There are several insellbergs with a unique flora. The only tepui in Suriname, the Tafelberg, is situated in this nature reserve. There is a high biodiversity. Stinasu is using the reserve for ecotourism. It also has been important for scientific research.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)
Additional biodiversity: The reserve is very important for two near-threathened species Morphnus guianensis Crested Eagle,and Harpia harpyja Harpy Eagle. There are three range restricted species occuring in the reserve, Hemitriccus inornatus Pelzeln’s Tody-Tyrant, Dysithamnus leucostictus White-streaked Antvireo and Heliodoxa xanthogonys Velvet-browed Brilliant. The total number of species is 505 of which 41 are biome restricted. Hence it is an IBA on A1, A2 and A3 criteria. Non-bird biodiversity: Because of its pristine features, meaning 'least disturbed extant Neotropical forest', the Centraal Suriname Nature Reserve was declared as a World Heritage Biodiversity site by the IUCN and Unesco in 2000. Nothe worthy is also that the orchids occuring on the Voltzberg are endimic for that area.
Other site values: Owned by the state.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: Landuse none.
Land use: fisheries/aquaculture | hunting | nature conservation and research | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 1 | |
| Forest | 97 | |
| Savanna | 2 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Poaching in the Kaiser mountains. Poaching on the Table mountain (Tafelberg) by the employees of the helicopter company Hi-jet. Legal fishing by local Marroons on a scale probably to large. Steeling of the cacti (endemic species) on the Voltzberg by tourists.
Additional information
References: Raleighvallen/Voltzberg nature reserve managementplan 1993-1997, Reichart H.,1993.