WHAT R MANGROVES & WHERE FIND THE BEST FORESTS?

Mangroves in Ecuador

East Pacific Mangrove forests

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 only from the Middle of Colombia 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 Chocó 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. Not frequented as a tourist destination, there are no routine excursions, but we can organize custom trips for interested parties.

Ecology of Mangroves in Ecuador

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!

Mangroves: Rich Fishing grounds

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.

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.

Tourism still is not well developed in the mangroves of 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.

WHAT R MANGROVES & WHERE FIND THE BEST FORESTS?