Because of its high productivity it got its status as multiple use management area in 1987.

Flora: a low diversity of plants, for example mangrove species due to the salt to brackish water zone.

Fauna: This area is abundant in different species of fish and invertebrates and therefore resulted in high number of bird species. Diversity of the other fauna groups is generally low. Some numbers of recorded species of amphibians and reptiles are:

-          Amphibians: 2 species recorded

-          Reptiles: over 4 species recorded, including Caiman crocodilus

The diversity of ecosystems in this area consist of: coastal mudflats, coastal mudgrass vegetation, mature mangrove forest, herb vegetation, brackish short grass swamps, shallow salt water swamps, brackish to freshwater swamp scrub, tall grass swamps, brackish to salt water creeks, predominantly mixed marsh forest.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/262972705_Directory_of_protected_areas_of_Suriname/download

It is located between the Coppename and Saramacca River and has a size of approximately 27,000 ha.

It is unique due to the fact that it is the largest unbleached brown sand savanna of the country and therefore it is declared a nature reserve in 1986.

Flora: The Boven Coesewijne Nature Reserve has a high plant diversity and more than 600 plant species, including 68 species of orchids have been recorded. Of these species, 23 are endemic to the area.

Fauna: The area is not only known for its high diversity of flora, but also for its fauna. Different species such as manatees, giant river otters, turtles and caimans have their habitat in this area. The diversity of ecosystems causes the fauna diversity to be high as well. Some data in particular, amphibian and reptile data: 

-          Amphibians: over 21 species recorded

-          Reptiles: 

§  Lizards: over 15 species recorded

§  Snakes: over 16 species recorded

§  Turtles: over 5 species recorded, including Chelonoidis carbonaria

§  Caimans: 3 species recorded

As mentioned earlier the Boven Coesewijne Nature Reserve has a high ecosystem diversity, some of these are: dry brown sand savanna, marshy brown sand savanna, dry white sand savanna, marshy white sand savanna, hydrophytic swamp forest, mixed mesophytic dryland- and marsh forest, xerophytic swamp forest, fresh water ponds and lakes, marshy clay savanna, grass swamps, mixed meso-xerophytic dryland wood, black water river and creeks, clear water creeks.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/262972705_Directory_of_protected_areas_of_Suriname/download

Flora: A high plant diversity of more than 1450 species have been recorded from which 138 species appear to be rare. A total of 12 endemic species have been identified in the Park.

Fauna: Just like the high diversity of flora also a high diversity of fauna, especially in the birds and mammals category have been found including some endangered and/or rare species. For particularly the amphibian and reptile species, the following numbers have been recorded:

-          Amphibians: over 23 species recorded, including Ameerega trivittata

-          Reptiles:

§  Lizards: 21 species recorded

§  Snakes: over 3 species recorded

§  Turtles: over 2 species recorded

§  Caimans: 1 specie recorded

The main ecosystems of the Brownsberg Nature Park are: mixed mesophytic tropical rainforest, lower montane forest, liana forest and mountain brooks with small waterfalls. 
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/262972705_Directory_of_protected_areas_of_Suriname/download

The Caiman crocodilus is a species native to northern South America, Central America and some Caribbean Islands. C.crocodilus can be found in both freshwater as salt water habitats, but they prefer slow moving waters, such as rivers and wetlands.

They can reach a length of between 1.5-2.1 meters and can weigh up to 40 kg. They are called spectacled caiman because of the presence of a bony infra orbital bridge between the eyes.

They breed from May through August and a nest can consist of 10 to 30 eggs. They are carnivores and their diet consist mostly of insects, crustaceans, fish, lizards, birds and small mammals. Their main predator is the human and they are subject to hunting, pet trade and use of different body parts (skins).

The role they play in the ecosystem is that they are predators of aquatic invertebrates and small vertebrates and keep the food chain in balance.

Chelonoidis carbonaria can be found in different habitats, ranging from humid tropical forests to dry savanna areas. Their native geographical range stretches from the east of the Andes through the Guianas continuing through eastern Brazil and on some Caribbean Islands.

The carapace of these tortoises ranges from dark brown to blackish brown and can reach approximately 51 cm in length. 

The breeding season is from June to September and the number of hatchlings ranges from 2 to 15 per nest. They feed primarily on fruits, but also consume dead and living foliage and fungi. The main predators of the C. carbonaria are jaguars and humans. Their populations can range from very common in some areas to very scarce in other due to habitat destruction, overexploitation for food and the pet trade. 

They have an important role to play in the ecosystem as seed dispersers of tropical plants.

The natural habitats of Ameerega trivittata formerly known as Epipedobates trivittatus are tropical rainforest floors and freshwater marshes. They are native in Amazon countries like Suriname, Bolivia, Guyana and Brazil

The females are bigger (42-46mm) than the males (37-40mm). A. trivittata can be recognized by their black dorsal skin with striped lateral markings which are mostly green but can vary to yellow and orange as well. Their main food source are insects, such as ants.

They lay their eggs around 30-40 eggs, under fallen leaves during the rainy season (May to October) and it takes up to 15 days to hatch. After hatching the tadpoles are carried by the male on the back to a pool or other water source to further develop.

The main threat is habitat loss as a result of deforestation and logging related activities. Frogs are good indicators of human and non-human induced change and health of ecosystems.

5 options describing the possible effect of climate change on organisms:

1.      They became extinct.

2.      They moved to warmer areas for food.

3.      They developed thick insulations (i.e. furs, extra layers of fat, etc.).

4.      They moved to warmer ecosystems (i.e. lowland areas, in forests etc.).

5.      They coped with their new environment remaining where they were.

 

Based on the 5 options mentioned above, the following hypothetical answer can be formulated:

As a result of climate change, one of the main sources for survival (the availability of food) has become scarce so organisms moved to other areas in search for food. The remaining options are also a possible effect of climate change, because some of these organisms were unable to cope with such a drastic change and became extinct or migrated to warmer ecosystems whereas others were able to cope with the changed environment and developed adaptation features such as thick insulations.

http://research.amnh.org/vz/herpetology/amphibia/Amphibia/Gymnophiona/Siphonopidae/Microcaecilia/Microcaecilia-taylori
https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/59573/11951234

a. Workshops and participatory planning, brainstorm sessions with local communities

b. Highlight the benefits of reptiles and their ecosystem role

c. Promotion of conservation of species diversity

a. Integration into national policy and legislation

b. Address challenges to biodiversity from climate change and pollution

c. Protect globally important and endangered reptile species

d. Limit commercial hunting and collection of wildlife for trade

a. Training and awareness meetings for farmers in sustainable techniques to improve overall yield from crops and soil fertility while reducing erosion risks

b. Ongoing research on improved sustainable farming techniques, combining scientific and traditional knowledge

c. Reduce pressures from habitat loss, land use change and degradation

a. Inventory of the reptile population as a basis for deciding on possible protection of additional areas

b. Develop, update and review management and action plans if needed

a. Research and monitoring of local reptile species, identify threats and challenges to protect them

The Herpeto Conservation Foundation is a local voluntary organization which has been established to protect the local herpetofauna and to raise awareness of all the benefits and ecosystem roles of the herpetofauna.

 

The Herpeto Conservation Foundation represents the conservation and management of the herpetofauna to ensure sustainable populations in healthy ecosystems.

 

To protect, sustain and monitor the population of herpetofauna and their habitats through management and conservation.

 

- To gather and share knowledge about the unique local herpetofauna through workshops, symposia, and present this information to local government agencies, communities and relevant stakeholders

- To provide facilities for research, support and attract scientists and herpetologists from all over the world in order to exchange knowledge

- To provide facilities for eco tourists, adventurers and wildlife lovers and contribute to the (eco) tourist industry of the country

- To address the problems and threats for the local herpetofauna, identify the source of these threats and implement mitigation measures if possible

- To provide suitable living conditions and or shelters for the local herpetofauna 

- To improve the long term conservation and protection of the herpetofauna

- To set up programs for involving local communities and to provide employment

- To create a database for herpetofaunal species collected and observed in the area and use modelling for future scenarios on population and migration

 

The Herpeto Conservation Foundation is a non-profit foundation, managed by a group of highly motivated volunteers with an affiliation and or a background in herpetology or equivalent specialization.

 

The foundation heavily relies on donations from third parties and funds raised for the foundation

 

Opportunities: 

Threats: 

The most visible impacts of small scale gold mining are the increased turbidity of rivers and creeks and deforestation. Throughout the area abandoned mines are filled with standing water which forms breeding places for mosquito and other diseases.
These activities have a direct impact on the amphibian and reptile species recorded in the area, causing habitat loss and degradation. Water pollution as a result of mercury contamination may pose an increased risk for especially amphibians because of their dependence on water during the larval stage and results in a higher mortality rate in these species.

Articles about mercury pollution in Suriname:
Review of mercury pollution in Suriname