Glossary

várzea

Type of seasonally-inundated floodplain forest in the Amazon region.

The term is normally used for those forests flooded by whitewater rivers but is sometimes used to refer to blackwater environments for which the more traditional term is igapó.

Flooded várzea habitat in the rio Curipi, Amazon basin, Brazil © Fábio Maffei

Used in 9 species profiles

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Related terms

blackwater
In ichthyological and aquarium literature typically refers to water rich in humic acids and poor in nutrients such as that associated with ancient peat swamps or parts of the Amazon river drainage, and thus differs from clearwater and whitewater. Fish species inhabiting such environments typically require similar conditions in captivity, especially if wild caught.
igapó
Type of seasonally-inundated floodplain forest in the Amazon region. The term is normally used for those forests flooded by blackwater rivers.
whitewater
In ichthyological and aquarium literature typically refers to habitats with turbid water containing material in suspension and often rich in nutrients and dissolved ions, thus differing from clearwater or blackwater environments. Not to be confused with the term 'white water' which refers to turbulent water typically formed in rapids.

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