Biodiversity in Guyana (GUY)
| FishBase | Complete | Literature | Reference | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Species | Families | Species | Families | |||
| Marine | 262 | 124 | No | |||
| Freshwater | 18 | 5 | Yes | |||
| Total | 279 | 127 | No | |||
Ref. Microsoft, 1996
| Conservation | Most of Guyana’s sparse population is concentrated along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, with the rest of the country practically untouched and unexplored. Only 2 per cent of its forests have been lost, and deforestation is proceeding only slowly. The nation’s rich biodiversity is therefore largely intact. List of freshwater species completed using CLOFFSCA work. The following information is to be sought: - Status of knowledge of the freshwater fauna; - Existence of conservation plans; - Information on major aquatic habitats or sites within the country; - Current major threats to species; - Future potential threats to species; - Contact(s) for further information. |
| Geography and Climate |
Guyana is bordered on the north by the Atlantic Ocean, on the east by Suriname, on the south by Brazil, and on the west by Brazil and Venezuela.
Guyana can be divided into three major geographical regions. A belt of alluvial soil, varying in width from about 8 to 65 km and mostly below sea level, extends along the coast and is protected by a system of dams and dykes. Dense forest, concentrated in the south, covers about 84 per cent (1993) of the country. The forests extend into an interior highland region with a maximum elevation, at Mount Roraima, of 2,810 m. Some of the rivers form spectacular waterfalls, notably Kaieteur Falls (226 m), on the Potaro River, one of the highest single-drop waterfalls in the world. Beyond the forest lies a region of savanna.
Guyana has a tropical climate, with little seasonal temperature change. The annual rainfall on the coast (about 1,525 to 2,030 mm) occurs mainly from April to August and November to January. The savanna region receives some 1,525 mm of rain annually, mainly from April to September. Ref. Microsoft, 1996 |
| Hydrography |