Páramo de Santurbán, Mountain ecosystem in Santander, Colombia
Santurbán is a high-altitude ecosystem in northeast Colombia that spreads across moist slopes and rock formations above 3,900 meters (12,800 feet). The landscape is threaded with mosses, grasses, and scattered pools that collect water from the air.
The region became a battleground between mining interests and local water defenders during the late 20th century. Court rulings later restricted the activity of large firms in sensitive zones of the ecosystem.
The Colombian term páramo describes a distinct landscape between mountain forest and glacier zone, marked by fog formation and shifting temperatures. Visitors see mossy terrain here with low vegetation and streams running through open ground.
The terrain requires warm clothing and rain protection because of frequent fog and sudden temperature changes. Hiking trails lie mostly on unpaved ground that can become slippery when wet.
Frailejón plants grow only a few millimeters each year and reach full size only after decades, making them witnesses to long-term climate shifts. Their woolly leaves are covered by thousands of fine hairs that catch fog droplets directly from the air.
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