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Site description (2008 baseline):
Site location and context
The park is unique in that it is a 450 m high tabletop mountain area with tropical rainforest trees covering its slopes. Some hilltops are over 500 m. The flora and fauna of the park is representative of eceosystems usually found farther south in the country. Due to the high biodiversity, the accessibility and the infrastructure, this park is serving as a center for research, nature education and public awareness, as well as ecotourism. It is leased by Stinasu from the government.
The total number of species recorded in Brownsberg is 391, of which 30 are biome restricted. Hence it is an IBA on the A3 criterion.
Non-bird biodiversity: Aside from the many bird species this site is also known for the monkeys which are the most visible mammals in this area. Further more 62 reptiles species, of which 31 snakes, 17 lizards and 1 caiman,116 Mammals species of which 57 bats, 20 rodents,8 monkeys and 5 cats species,2 peccaries,2 armadillos,2 anteaters,2 sloths and 2 deer species, 52 fish species and 15 Amphibian species. Brownsberg also has a rich plant diversity, 1053 plant species and 112 orchid species have been recorded.
Landuse. Aside from the mining consession,the local people are illegaly mining gold.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Largescale illegal gold mining. Large scale poaching. Recently the goldminers have been removed from the park but they have returned. More actions against the goldminers will be neccesary. Suralco has a exploration concession for mining of bauxite. There are no plans in the near future for mining. If bauxite mining would take place it would mean complete destruction of the plateau. As a consequece all activities like ecotourism would stop.
Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
Brownsberg Nature Park is one af the best described protected areas of Suriname. Research/conservation project have been done conserning;
- butterflies, Gernaat H., 2005 (in press),
- conservation, Forget P-M., 2002, " Research and Conservation, report on a visit to Nouragues (French Guiana) and Brownsberg (Suriname)
- seeds, Cuijpers L. and Bhiki C., 2005, "Seed fate in a fugivores-disperserd tree species in Brownberg Nature Reserve, Suriname: the importance of habitat type and granivorous guild"
- mammals, Emmons,L. and Feer, F. 1997, "Neotropical rainforest mammals. A Field Guide."
- primates, Norconk M., Kinzey W. 1994, "Challege of Neotropical Frugifory: Travel patterns of spider Monkeys and Bearded Sakis"
- fruits, Forget P-M a.o,2002, Seasonability of Fruiting and Food Hoarding by Rodents in Neotropical Forests: Consequences for Seed Dispersal and Seedling Recruitment. Seed Dispersal and Frugivory: Ecology"
- trees, Leupen S., a.o,2004,"Brownsberg Nature Park Tree Atlas"
- plant diversity, Ter Steege H., a.o. 2004, "Plant diversity of the Brownsberg Nature Park, Suriname. Report of the 2004 expedition."
- orchids, Werkhoven M., 2000, " Orchids recorded in the Brownberg Nature Park"
- vegetation, Tjon Lim Sang R. and v/d Wiel I., 1980" De vegetatie langs watervallen en kreken in het Natuurpark De Brownsberg in Suriname"
This site is a Nature Park which is leased by Stinasu from the government. It is fully protected. Hunting, collecting of plants or insects or cutting of wood is strictly prohibited.
Owned by the state but leased by STINASU for a period of 75 years. Suralco has a mining consession on the plateau.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Brownsberg Nature Park (BB) (Suriname). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/brownsberg-nature-park-(bb)-iba-suriname on 23/12/2024.
