View source for Sipaliwini Savanna

{{About|the regio of Sipaliwini Savanna|the town of Sipaliwini Savanna|Sipaliwini Savanna (town)}}
{{Infobox Protected area
| name           = Sipaliwini Savanna
| photo          = Dendrobates azureus (Dendrobates tinctorius) Edit.jpg
| photo_caption  = [[Blue poison dart frog]], discovered in 1969, is endemic to the Sipaliwini Savanna
| location       = [[Coeroeni]], [[Sipaliwini District]], [[Suriname]]
| map            = Suriname
| nearest_city   = [[Sipaliwini Savanna (town)|Sipaliwini Savanna]]
| coordinates    = {{coord|1.9603|-56.2665|display=title,inline}}
| established    = 1972
| area           = {{convert|1000|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}{{sfn|Ouboter|2001|p=2}}
| website        =
| map_caption    =
| iucn_category  = IV<!--<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.protectedplanet.net/276 |title=Sipaliwini|website=Protected Planet|access-date=23 February 2021}}</ref>-->
| governing_body =
}}
The '''Sipaliwini Savanna''' is a [[List of protected areas of Suriname|protected area]] and nature reserve in [[Suriname]]. The reserve is located to the south of the [[Sipaliwini River]] in the far south of the country. The reserve measures 100,000 hectares, and has been a protected area since 1972. The majority of the reserve consists of a [[savannah]] which in turn is a continuation of the [[Brazil]]ian [[Tumucumaque Mountains National Park]]. The reserve is in pristine condition with almost no human habitation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reisgraag.nl/vakantie-suriname/natuurreservaten-suriname|title=Natuurreservaten Suriname|website=Reisgraag|access-date=16 June 2020|language=nl}}</ref>
==History==
The area was first explored in October 1935 by A.J.H. van Lynden who was surprised to discover an immense savannah behind the dense rain forests.<ref name="opzoek">{{cite web|url=http://sipaliwinisavanna.com/docs/op_zoek_naar_de_zuidgrens.pdf|title=Op zoek naar de Zuidgrens|access-date=27 May 2020|date=1938|website=Sipaliwini Savanna}}</ref> In 1962, a study was started whether the savannah could be used for [[animal husbandry]], however the transport costs via [[airplane]] would make the enterprise unprofitable.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://edepot.wur.nl/493012|title=Verslag van een Bodemverkenning op de Sipaliwini Savanne 19-30 Juli 1962, Paramaribo|date=1962|access-date=17 June 2020|website=Wageningen University and Research|language=nl}}</ref> A detailed study into the plant and animal life commenced in 1968.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sipaliwinisavanna.com/|title=Welcome to the Plants of the Sipaliwini Savanna|website=Sipaliwini Savanna|access-date=17 June 2020|language=nl}}</ref>
This reserve is one of the last frontiers in the tropics, and relatively little is known about the region.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://res.mdpi.com/d_attachment/diversity/diversity-10-00129/article_deploy/diversity-10-00129.pdf|title=Community Ecology and Phylogeography of Bats in the Guianan Savannas of Northern South America|author=Burton Kim & Thomas E. Lee Jr|year=2018|access-date=17 June 2020|website=[[MDPI]]}}</ref>
==Overview==
The savannah consists of large grasslands with wetter islands of trees. Bird life is abundant,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.suriname.nu/302ges/archi67.html|title=Geography The Sipaliwini Savanna|access-date=16 June 2020}}</ref> and the savannah is where the [[blue poison dart frog]] was discovered in 1969.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sipaliwinisavanna.com/zoology.htm|title=Zoology|website=Sipaliwini Savanna|access-date=16 June 2020}}</ref>{{sfn|Ouboter|2001|p=86}} In 2005, six birds that had never been recorded in Suriname were seen on the reserve. It includes a new species of [[sun parakeet]], and a new [[rufous-sided scrub tyrant]].<ref name="new_birds">{{cite web|url=https://sora.unm.edu/sites/default/files/journals/on/v016n03/p0361-p0370.pdf|title=NOTES ON BIRDS OF THE SIPALIWINI SAVANNA AND OTHER LOCALITIES IN SOUTHERN SURINAME, WITH SIX NEW SPECIES FOR THE COUNTRY|author=B.J. O’Shea|website=[[University of Minnesota]]|date=2005|access-date=16 June 2020}}</ref> The savannah is home to the [[harpy eagle]] and the [[jaguar]].{{sfn|Ouboter|2001|p=86}}
==Accessibility==
The Sipaliwini Savanna is very hard to reach. The [[Sipaliwini Airstrip]] is accessible by small planes. From the airstrip, it takes another 2 to 3 hour to reach the reserve along trails, or a canoe journey along the Sipaliwini River. Permission to enter the territory has to be obtained from the ''[[granman]]'' (tribal leader) who resides at [[Kwamalasamutu]].{{sfn|Ouboter|2001|p=85}}
==Threats==
The reserve is not guarded. Poaching, and collecting of endangered species are a problem. Burning of the savannah by the Amerindians is also a problem.{{sfn|Ouboter|2001|p=87}}
==References==
<references/>
==Bibliography==
*{{cite web|last1=Ouboter|first1=Paul E.|year=2001 |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/262972705 |title=Directory of protected areas of Suriname|publisher=IBER}}
==External links==
* [http://sipaliwinisavanna.com/ Website about the plants at Sipaliwini Savanna]
* {{Commons-inline}}
{{Nature reserves of Suriname}}
[[Category:Nature reserves in Suriname]]
[[Category:Protected areas of Suriname]]
[[Category:Sipaliwini District]]
[[Category:Tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas, and shrublands]]
[[Category:Guianan savanna]]