photo credit: Dept. of the Environment, Bogotá
Inland freshwater marshers are hilghly productive ecosystems, because their pH is
generally circumneutral and nutrients derived from runoff are plentiful.
There is a strong relationship between above ground biomass and summer temperatures, so tropical marshes are the most productive.
La Conejera's primary productivity was around 1000 g/m2/y at one point, but it is probably less now due mainly to urban development
Because of its absorption properties, La Conejera acts as a giant sponge that retains excess runoff during the rainy season, saving it for the dry season, thereby making rivers and brooks in its watershed less "flashy" and preventing floods. It also provides vast amounts of water to the Bogotá aquifer, regulating the water table and contributing to the creation of natural springs.
La
Conejera also serves as a natural filtration system, because lacustrine
plants native to the marsh retain sediments and heavy metals, reducing
water contamination.
Furthermore, La conejera is a plant and wildife refuge for many species, endemic, native, and exotic.
The current environmental degradation of all wetlands in the Bogotá savannah are a consequence of the collective ignorance of the ecological functions of this ecosystem, apparent in its marginalization during the oftentimes poor and unorganized land use city planning processes. Endpoint of untreated residual domestic waters, illegal landfills, filling/drying of marshy soils to create room for more umplanned housing developments, and wildlife hunting are some examples of erroneous uses locals have given to this precious wetland.
Furthermore, La conejera is a plant and wildife refuge for many species, endemic, native, and exotic.
The current environmental degradation of all wetlands in the Bogotá savannah are a consequence of the collective ignorance of the ecological functions of this ecosystem, apparent in its marginalization during the oftentimes poor and unorganized land use city planning processes. Endpoint of untreated residual domestic waters, illegal landfills, filling/drying of marshy soils to create room for more umplanned housing developments, and wildlife hunting are some examples of erroneous uses locals have given to this precious wetland.
| Location |
Climate and Geology |
Vegetation and Wildlife |