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Wednesday 9 March 2022 locAl
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Aruba’s ecosystem diversity Episode CXLIV -144

Every week we share the most interesting and insightful
articles about Aruba as your destination to explore and
conserve. Discover amazing and informative stories to
enrich your knowledge and experience. There is so
much to admire on this tiny island such as the variety
of the diverse habitats that still exists and its differences
between them.

We know that the diversity of insular ecosystems speaks
of the unique variations in ecosystems within an en-
closed geographical location, here where the impact
of human activities on small environments as Aruba
is much greater. We must ecknowlige that despite its
small surfice, the island mothers its own species and
varieties from different habitats.

Native vegetation refers to any naturally occurring lo-
cal plant species which are indigenous to the area do
not occure nowhere else and conssidered endagered
or has a protective status.

Aruba’s flora provides this unique oportunity to the
landscapes to florish, providing habitat for an arange
of native animals, create wildlife corridors, provide pro-
tection from wind and water erosion by holding the soil
together after a rain shower and reduces the green-
house effect and the quality of life.
Lighthouse, Wariruri, Daimari, dos Playa of the island and the opposite cay’s
Our island have three basic geological formations. One and thr Grapefield area . of the lagoon almost completely from
is a hilly part, second an undulating part and a third South -East to North-West. According
part consisting of limestone which embraces these two The dunes are well drained, often dry, to experts, mangroves capture and
zones forming also the coast line. Some coastal areas composed mainely of calcium carbon- store 34 million tons of carbon globally.
have one or more sets of dunes running parallel to the ate from eroded seashells and corals. Mangrove forests provide many of the
shoreline directly inland from the beach. Most of these Decomposing sea algae, brought in resources upon which coastal people
areas are protected by law which prohibits motor vehi- by stormy weather, adds nutrients to al- depend.q
cles to ride on them, like those at California, behind the low pioneer species colonisation. Flora
specially adapted to the dry, hot and
arid conditions adding soil mobility of About Etnia Nativa
loose sandy substrate, constant wind, Our goal is to raise cultural awareness, pro-
low nutrients and the salinity. Hance to mote education and safeguard our heri-
tage as the sacred mother seed guiding
the extreme conditions very few species you to be the next guardian of the island. If
survives. Therefor costal grass species, you love Aruba its origins and its cultural heri-
shrubs and trees which value shouild not tage, be part of the exclusive visitors of this
be underestimated. Our dunes are im- cozy home-atelier called “Etnia Nativa”. This
portant in protecting the island against private residential houses collections of na-
potential ravages by stormy waves from tive art, archaeological artifacts and historic
furniture, while the facilities themselves are
out the sea. the result of the transformation of recycled
materials. Meet this acclaimad columnist,
Other green habitad area of Aruba are artist and native cultural expert at home!
our mangroves sites. Mangroves cov- Book your visit Whatsapp + 297 592 2702- or
ers some patches on the leeward side mail: etnianativa03@gmail.com