Refugio Mbaracayú

=Location and main features=

The biological Reserve Mbaracayu is a binational reserve, located on the border between Paraguay and Brazil. It is one of the sites earmarked as 8 ecological reserve by the Itaipu, the largest dam in production in the world, located between Paraguay and Brazil. It was founded in 1984 and is located at 300 km north of the city of Hernandarias. It has 1,356 has. The refuge is managed by these two countries.

Being created, was an old solution to the problem of boundaries between Brazil and Paraguay. Itaipu Binacional created a strip of environmental protection at the border between the cities of New World (Brazil) and Salto del Guairá (Paraguay). Before the creation of the Refuge, the area was devoid of vegetation in less than ten years of intensive work of environmental recovery, the area is completely reforested. This is one of the geographic areas in which Brazilian and Paraguayan agree with actions that demonstrate the conflict left behind, and the important thing today is in nature, the earth and all who inhabit.

Geography

It comprises a series of mild elevations and in the midst of these valleys that contain numerous springs and streams, plus low-lying areas with wetlands and estuaries toward the river Parana. The shelter corresponds to an area where they have significantly altered the natural environmental conditions. At other times were covered with high forests that were felled for land use in livestock production, therefore 85% of its area is covered pasture implanted. The 15% is wetlands, small isolated areas of remnant forests, riparian forests or in galleries and “tacuarales”.

The soils classified mostly as latosoles and latosol sandy, thus taking sandy texture and ease of water erosion. In some places the texture is presented arene - clay. In low-lying areas there hydromorphic soils.

Animals and Plants

Ecosystems in the Refuge create the ideal conditions for animal life, among which are: monkey ("Cebus apella"), kuatí ("Nasua nasua"), fox ("Crab-eating fox"), on wetlands are: capybara ("Hydrochaeris"), wolf water (" Lutra") and mentioned in special form of swamp deer to ("Blastocerus dichotomus"), animal in serious danger of extinction, this deer appears frequently in the area, especially on the banks of streams, in almost all notándose opportunities their presence as a couple.

The area is grassland habitat suitable for different species of birds, cats and even small rodents that can be seen frequently. This area is where they originate large fires at certain times of year. The pasture mentioned refers to" Panicum maximum" by 90%.

In this Refuge are identified over 250 species of birds, highlighting three new records for Paraguay: "Anhima cornuta", "Picummus albosquammatus "and" Schistochlamys melanopis".

In areas with much humidity plant species are observed as:"Eichornia azurea Equisetum giganteum Nephelea setosa", among others.

Itaipu Lake

This refuge is bordering Lake artificially created to enter into operation the plant of Itaipu. Being formed in 1982, a series of economic alternatives that are already beginning to be exploited by the 77 neighboring municipalities. The artificial lake is one of the largest in the world, with 29 million m³ and 200 km extension in a straight line. Considering the bays, inlets and length reaches 1,400 km.

The formation of the lake has not only changed the look of the geographic region. The agriculture, regional economic base, begins to cede place to tourism. Several artificial beaches were created along the banks of the lake, where he practiced all sorts of water sports.

En los esterales se observan especies vegetales como: "Eichornia azurea, Equisetum giganteum, Nephelea setosa", entre otras.

Area subdivision

According to latest techniques of management of protected areas, this refuge is divided into distinct zones in order to handle them properly.

Areas of special use: areas include reduced in size and which are essential for the administration, office accommodation, restaurant, aviation runway, and so on.

Zone extensive use: areas to which visitors access for education and recreation (and self-guided interpretive trails, paths "cross country", etc..

Zones intensive: consist of areas with outstanding scenery and that lend themselves to relatively dense recreational activities (camping areas, visitors' centers and scenic lookouts)

Buffer Zones and Recovery: areas that have been severely damaged and it is mostly to areas adjacent to the surrounding populations.

Zone Core: natural areas that have received the minimum of disruption caused by man (comprised of three distinct nuclei and characteristic of the place).

The reserve has a panoramic viewpoint, which can be seen most of the wooded area, as well as the vast body of water formed by the dam. The combined resources of vegetation, topography and water give it a priceless

References

* Che Retá Paraguay

External links

* [http://www.itaipu.gov.py Itaipu Binacional - Spanish]

* [http://www.itaipu.gov.br Itaipu Binacional - Portuguese]