Moonen 2016c (Article) Billbergia

A Bromeliad ‘Hotspot’ in French Guiana

Author(s):—J. Moonen

Publication:—Journal of the Bromeliad Society 63(3-6): 180-230. (2016)

Abstract:—French Guiana is situated on the north-east side of South America, 4 degrees north of the equator. The climate is tropical and humid, we call it Amazonian. It is 90,000 km2, bordered in the south and south-east by Brazil, the west by Suriname, and the
north by the Atlantic Ocean.
Due to the small human population of approximately 250,000 (most in the coastal area) and the absence of economic activities, 90% of the surface is still covered with tropical rainforest. There are only roads on the coastal area. The interior is accessible only by boat, bush plane or helicopter. If you have enough time, it is also accessible by foot - the way Brazilian gold diggers have explored the region.
The far north eastern part of French Guiana belongs ecologically to the Amazonian ecosystem. This is presented by different Amazonian animal and plant species. The Amazonian ecosystem has a higher biodiversity than the Guyana[n] ecosystem. Also, the north east of French Guiana has a high annual rain fall - to 6000 mm (240 inches) per year.