MANGROVES CAYAPAS MATAJE ECUADOR

1. Geology;

2. Hydrology;

3. Conservation status;

4. What to do;

5. Vegetation;

6. Mammals;

7. Birds;

8. Other critters;

9. How to get there on your own;

10. Best tour.

Geology

Along the Pacific coasts of the Americas, mangrove forests are rather rare, and considered as their total surface, they are extremely rare coastal forests. One finds a few small mangroves along the Mexican and Guatemalan Pacific but the first well developed mangroves are found from El Salvador to Costa Rica. From Panama to Northern Colombia, mangroves are present but low and narrow. Only from Nuqui (West of Medellin) to northern Ecuador, again mangroves have developed to their full potentials with extensive networks of creeks and tidal estuaries. However, In Colombia, the mangrove forests along the Pacific Ocean are found on the Choco coast, which still is part of the former FARC bulwark and now drugs cartel territory! So, in reality, of all mangroves of the South American Pacific, only the mangroves in Ecuador are open to the public.

Unfortunately, many mangrove forests in Ecuador have been converted into shrimp farms, but a few are well protected, the best area being Cayapas Mataje Ecological Reserve.

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Hydrology

Flooded during high water, the root systems of Mangrove trees make mangrove estuaries some of the most productive natural ecosystems in the world. Ecologically, mangrove forests are considered the nurseries of the oceans!

Laden with fine sediments, mangroves in Ecuador are extremely nutrient rich waters, which is reflected in the presence of great densities of fishes, giving opportunities to local fishing communities. It is important however to state that mangroves are characterized by high numbers animals per species, but relatively few species; so the biodiversity is low.

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Conservation status

Laden with fine sediments, mangroves Cayapas Mataje in Ecuador are extremely nutrient rich waters, which is reflected in the presence of great densities of fishes, giving opportunities to local fishing communities.

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Thinks to do

Tourism still is not well developed in the Mangroves Cayapas Mataje, Ecuador and conditions are primitive while arrangements are not always as punctual as one would wish. A bit of travel flexibility helps making a visit successful though.

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Vegetation

Along the Pacific coasts of the Americas, mangrove forests are rather rare, and considered as their total surface, they are extremely rare coastal forests. One finds a few small mangroves along the Mexican and Guatemalan Pacific but the first well developed mangroves are found from El Salvador to Costa Rica. From Panama mangroves are present but the  best are in Cayapas Mataje, Ecuador, where mangroves are tall with deep networks of creeks and tidal estuaries. However, In Colombia, the mangrove forests along the Pacific Ocean are found on the Choco coast, which still is part of the last FARC bulwarks! So, in reality, of all mangroves of the South American Pacific, only the mangroves in Ecuador are open to the public.

Unfortunately, many mangrove forests in Ecuador have been converted into shrimp farms, but a few are well protected, the best area being Cayapas Mataje Ecological Reserve.

Flooded during high water, the root systems of Mangrove trees make mangrove estuaries some of the most productive natural ecosystems in the world. Ecologically, mangrove forests are considered the nurseries of the oceans!

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Mammals

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Birds

Mangroves: Low biodiversity, high numbers per species

Bird diversity in mangroves is not as rich as in the tropical rain forests, but the species composition is totally different, and anyone who wants a representative species list of tropical birds of South America or of Ecuador, needs to spend some time in a mangrove.

A great advantage of the mangroves is, that many of the bird species are relatively numerous and large. A trip to a mangrove may well add some 50 species to a first time visitor in a tropical country.

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Other critters

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How to get there on your own

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Best tour

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