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They say that the health of the environment begins at the bottom of the pyramid. Thus naturalists are concerned about the frog-killing fungus spreading across Panama on its way to South America. What does this mean for Panama’s natural environment? What does this mean for living, buying real estate and investment in Panama?

Panama

Panama is the tropical country at the bottom of Central America where the Panama Canal crosses 50 miles from Pacific to Atlantic. Besides its Pacific and Caribbean coasts Panama has tropical rain forests, central highlands with unspoiled natural beauty, and a first world infrastructure in Panama City on the Pacific end of the Panama Canal. A current concern for naturalists is that a fungus is killing frogs across Central America. That fungus has passed south of the Panama Canal and will in all likelihood progress to South America. Now the question is what does this mean for Panama’s environment, agriculture, forests, and total ecologic health? What does it mean for Panama’s economy and real estate boom?

The October 9, 2008 edition of Africa On Line (Afrique en ligne) reports that , “A Frog-killing fungus spreads across Panama Canal towards South America.

“South America, the current hot-spot for describing new frog species, may be in danger of seeing population declines due to an epidemic. A recent scientific paper has found the mysterious fungal disease, chytridiomycosis, has begun to establish into eastward Panama, heading across the Panama Canal boundary towards Colombian amphibian populations. The publication predicts that at the current rate, the fungus will spread into Tortí (Panamá Province) before 2012. The chytrid fungus is believed to be the leading cause of population mortality of amphibians. Species like the common rocket frog (Colostethus panamensis) are succumbing to the effects of the pathogen at an alarming rate. For the last 30 years, the infection has decimated amphibian communities, mostly because of increased temperatures resulting from climate change.

“Captive breeding programs, like Amphibian Ark are preparing for the worst. There are still many species in the jungles of Central and South America that have not been properly documented, and could be fated to be studied after extinction.”

Real Estate Investment Panama, Climate Change, and the Panama Environment

So, if the amphibians are dying as a result of global warming what else will happen? Is the Panama environment going to turn into a desert? Will the Panama environment be submerged as the ice melts and the oceans rise? Will the food chain get disrupted so that nothing will grow?

This kind of alarmist speculation does no one any good. However, keeping an eye on pertinent research and projects such as the Amphibian Ark help us keep an environmental perspective as we think long term about Panama real estate investment options.

Whatever changes occur in Panama’s natural environment the Panama Canal is and will be the only water route through the Americas. Thus Panama’s position on a major trade route will not change nor will its economic advantage as in importer/exporter. The plans to develop more assembly facilities will also thrive regardless of amphibian declines.

Panama’s environment is tropical and a great respite from Northern Winter. If climate change warms the North it will still be colder than Panama.

On the other hand Panama agriculture may feel the effects of climate induced environmental change. Tomato prices went up last year as a fungus destroyed parts of the tomato crop. It is likely that farmers will need to change seed varieties, change crops, or adapt in other ways if global warming modifies rainfall and other determinants of the growing season.

In the end though people need homes, businesses need offices, factories need production and warehouse space, etc. Panama real estate investment will continue to prosper here in Panama. If you are interested in Panama real estate investment come to see us at ABPanama where we have over 23 years experience managing real estate portfolios.