The Llanos

Lynn Ottaviani

Location• Upper South

America– Venezuela– Columbia

• 451,474 km2

– 61% in Venezuela

– 39% in Columbia

Climate

• Average temperature 26.6°C

• Yearly precipitation 1-2 m– 90% of rain falls between April and

November

Sub-regions of the Llanos

• Aeollian Plains• High Plains• Piedmont• Alluvial Overflow

Plains

Alluvial Overflow Plains

• Bancos

• Bajios

• Esteros

Bancos• Found along river

banks

• Trees dominant

Bajios

• Low region further from rivers

• Grasses and palm forests

Esteros

• Lowest region

• Floating vegetation

Plant Life• 3,424 species of

vascular plants

• Many plants adapt or are resistant to fire

Animals

Human Threats

• Fires• Cattle ranching• Commercial

logging• Oil development• Agriculture