The Temash River
This expedition explored the forests along Belize‘s two southern rivers, the Sarstoon and Temash. The area between the rivers is part of the Sarstoon-Temash National Park (STNP). The STNP protects the entire watersheds of these two wild and remote rivers, including a vast wetland complex and the most highly developed riverine mangrove in the country. Both rivers then empty into the rich fishing grounds of the Caribbean Sea.
The survival of STNP‘s unique wetlands and mangrove complex owe much to the careful management practices of the local indigenous peoples who have historically used its resources. Remoteness and difficult access has helped greatly in its preservation. The discovery of oil there is changing that. While the broad ecological characteristics of the STNP have been established from remote sensing, most details of the area‘s fauna, flora and ecology have yet to be recorded. No species list exists and even the local residents are uncertain about the variety of wildlife that occurs in the park. We were there to help fill in one of the blanks of knowledge about the STNP; we were there to search for epiphytes.
Photograph by Tony Rath, from "To Boldly Go Where No One Wants To"
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