Azores Biodiversity

The Azores consist of 9 small islands made from volcano eruptions, located in the Atlantic Ocean. It takes about 2 hours to fly from Lisbon to the Azores. The total area is about  2.333 km2. There are great variation in the size of the islands. São Miguel is the biggest with 747 km2. Corvo  is the smallest with only 17 km2.

The Portuguese post office (CTT) has issued a new collection of stamps dedicated to the ponds of the Azores on April 22, 2009. The issue is a joint effort between CTT and the Institute of the Conservation of the Nature which celebrates the diversity of life in the region and ongoing efforts to protect habitats.

The four stamps show images of ponds with birds, fishes or trees. The 32 centimos stamp represents Comprida Lake, in Flores Island with a Scolopax rusticola, a very common bird that can be found across Asia and Europe, hence why it's known as Eurasian Woodcock.

The 68 centimos stamp  represent Lake of Caldeirão in Corvo Island with  the beautiful butterfly, a Hipparchia azorina that is endemic to Azores and is currently threatened.

The 80 centimos stamp represent  Lake of Capitão in Pico with  the Dragonfly , a Anax imperator, an amazing blue variety.

The 2 euros stamp represent Lagoinha in Terceira with the fruit is taken from a tree endemic to Azores, the Juniperus brevifolia. , a Cedar tree. Meanwhile the one of two souvenir sheet were issued depicted  underwater water creature like fish, shell, and octopus. Other sheet depicted  three species of ducts .

Azores’s marine Invertebrate -2010

The Portuguese archipelago of the Azores, isolated in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and more than 1300 km from the nearest continent, is formed by the nine immersed tops of an underwater mountain range. On July 01, 2010, Portugal Post (Azores) issued the stamp set  to  recall special attention to the necessary ecological alarm against mankind’s aggressions to the planet’s frail balance.

Portuguese stamps displaying regional themes from the Azores. This is the case with the stamps that over the years have been devoted to the flora and fauna of the Azores, and with this issue as well, which focuses on the archipelago’s marine invertebrates. In the large group formed by animals without backbone, marine species usually stand out to the layman because of their shapes and colors that never cease to amaze us.

Grapsus adscenionis

Grapsus adscenionis is found   in Ascension Island, Azores Exclusive Economic Zone , East Atlantic . Despite the low commercial interest as food for human consumption, this species is becoming popular in aquaculture. Therefore,general biology and specific reproduction related information of the species will support a sustainable use of this fishery resource to avoid overexploitation.

Canadian National Park

Canadian Post issued two the stamp set features their national park on July 2007.
The respectively issue are one of issue stamps depicts Terra Nova National Park  released on July 6,2007 and  the other issue stamp depicts Jasper National Park released on July 20,2007. Both  stamps have uniform face value.

Terra Nova National Park

Terra Nova National Park is located on the east coast of Newfoundland in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador, along several inlets of Bonavista Bay. Terra Nova National Park was created in 1957 and was the first National Park in Newfoundland and Labrador. Terra Nova protects the Eastern Island Boreal Forest natural region.

Terra Nova's landscape is typical of the northeast coast of Newfoundland, with remnants of the Appalachian Mountains contributing to widely varied and rugged topography throughout the region. The coastline varies from cliffs and exposed headlands to sheltered inlets and coves, contributing to Newfoundland's prime recreational boating area.

National Park of Argentina – 7th series

Correo Argentino SA, issued the seventh series of the national park of Argentina on March 22, 2003. The issue are consist of four stamps depicted the national park , i.e.  Los cardones National park (50c),  National Reserve Estricta Colonia Benitez (50c), Copo National Park (50c),Campo de los Alisos National Park (75c),  Monte León National Park (75c).

National park Los Cardones

The Los Cardones National Park was created in 1996 as a national park of Argentina, located in the center-west of the province of Salta, within the San Carlos and Cachi Departments, in the Argentine Northwest. The park has an area of 650 square kilometres, with hills and ravines at the height levels between 2,700 m and 5,000 m.It is important the bush formation with the “cardones” predominance.It features fossil remains of extinct animals, as well as dinosaur tracks.

Udawalawe National Park–Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan Elephants (Elephas maximus maximus) are an endangered species and their survival in their natural habitats is threatened due to human activities. Elephants in the wild are constantly being killed, and many elephant calves become orphaned. In order to support these orphaned elephants, the Department of Wildlife Conservation set up the Elephant Transit Home within Udawalawe National Park with help from the Born Free Foundation.The facility was established under the 29th Amendment to the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance Part II.

Udawalawe National Park is an important habitat for water birds and Sri Lankan Elephants. It is a popular tourist destination and the third most visited park in the country.The national park was created to provide a sanctuary for wild animals displaced by the construction of the Udawalawe reservoir on the Walawe River, as well as to protect the catchment of the reservoir.The reserve covers 30,821 hectares  of land area and was established on 30 June 1972.

Animals of Ba Vi National Park - Vietnam

 

Ba Vi National Park is a national park located 48 km  west of Hanoi, Vietnam. The park area  is 7,377 ha, and is located in the Ba Vì mountain range. The park has rich and diverse tropical and subtropical species of flora and fauna. The park is home for more than 800 rare and exotic plants, 280 of which have medicinal applications. It also boasts 44 species of mammal, 15 species of reptile, 9 species of amphibian and more than 100 bird species. This roughly explains why Ba Vi National Park is called “Capital Hanoi’s lung” by most Hanoians.

Ba Vi National Park is located in Ba Vi district of Hanoi and 2 districts of Hoa Binh Province, namely Luong Son and Ky Son. The Park is situated on a mountain range running north-east and south-west with its peak at Vua Peak of 1,296 m and Tan Vien Peak of 1,226 m and Ngoc Hoa Peak of 1,120

To commemorate the importance of Ba Vi National park, Vietnam Post issued the stamp set features animals of this park, Chinese Pangolin, Sumatran Serow, Red-flying squirrel, Asian Black Bear in year 2003

Chinese Pangolin

The Chinese pangolin is a rather secretive animal. They are considered nocturnal creatures and are extremely shy. They move very slowly and are known for their non-aggressive behavior. Their hard scales work as a protection cover from predators and when they feel endangered, they curl themselves in a ball. Chinese pangolins are mainly terrestrial animals and are observed in forests that are about 20 feet high from the ground.

Biodiversity of Hong Kong

The United Nations has proclaimed 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity.  Therefore  Hong Kong Post presents the commemorative stamp set of four special stamps featuring endemic species including the Hong Kong paradise fish Macropodus hongkongensis, Romer's tree frog (the smallest frog species found in Hong Kong), Sinopora hongkongensis (a plant first discovered in Tai Mo Shan which is new to science) and Fukienogomphus choifongae (a dragonfly first discovered in Wu Kau Tang which is also new to science).The stamps were issued on June 30, 2010.

Macropodus hongkongensis is a new species  endemic in Hong Kong and should be treated as an endangered species.   Compare with the related species  Macropodus concolor,  Macropodus hongkongensis have some discrepancies like the scale pigmentation, appearance overall, the pelvic fin rays .

Year of Fresh Water – Zambia

Celebrating  the year of freshwater as declared by United Nation, Zambia Post issued the stamp set , one miniature sheet consist of three postage stamps, and one souvenir sheet on July 30 2003. The issue stamp depicts the fresh water sources of Zambia and Zimbabwe, such as: Victoria fall, Lake Kariba, Mana Pool, Cahora Bassa Dam

Victoria falls

The Victoria Falls or Mosi-oa-Tunya (the Smoke that Thunders), is a largest waterfall located in southern Africa on the Zambezi River between the countries of Zambia and Zimbabwe.This claim is based on a width of 1,708 metres and height of 108 metres, forming the largest sheet of falling water in the world. The rapid development of surround this place , has prompted the United Nations to consider revoking the Victoria Falls status as a World Heritage Site.