Nature and conservation Oaxaca

1 nature , conservation

1.1 lagunas de chacahua national park
1.2 benito juárez national park
1.3 huatulco national park
1.4 tehuacán-cuicatlán biosphere reserve

nature , conservation

the conserved rainforest of santiago comaltepec, oaxaca

although fifth-largest state in mexico, has biodiversity. there more 8,400 registered plant species, 738 bird species , 1,431 terrestrial vertebrate species, accounting 50% of species in mexico. among 5 highest-ranking areas in world endangered species. state has important ecological zones such selva zoque in northeast. vegetation varies adapted hot , arid conditions such cacti evergreen tropical forest on coasts. forests in higher elevations consist of conifers, broadleafed trees , mixture of two. in lower elevations coast there evergreen , deciduous rainforest, dropping leaves doing in dry season. in driest areas mesquite, cactus , grasslands can found. there 58 species of aquatic plants.

wildlife includes wide variety of birds, small medium-sized mammals , larger ones such deer , wildcats, reptiles , amphibians. off coast there fish , shellfish, dolphins , whales pass on migration. state prolific place reptiles such turtles, lizards, snakes , crocodiles. of 808 registered reptile species nationwide, 245 found in state. state has amphibian species @ 133, one-third of mexican species of frogs , salamanders. home 120 species of freshwater fish, 738 species of birds (70% of mexico s total) , 190 species of mammals. insect forms such grasshoppers, larvae , cochineal have economic importance state , there several species of giant stick insects indigenous region (such bacteria horni has body length of 22 cm). important ocean creatures commercially shrimp, tuna, bonito, huachinango , mojarra. sea turtles used exploited both meat , eggs stopped federal government in 1990s. coast of oaxaca important breeding area sea turtles such leatherback(dermochelys coriacea), classified endangered throughout global range. despite conservations efforts starting in 1970s, number of nesting sites , nesting turtles has dramatically decreased.

conservation efforts in state hampered high marginalization, lack of economic alternatives, agricultural conflicts, change of land use (agricultural activities, fires), on exploitation , pollution of natural water sources, inadequate forest management , illegal tree felling, unsustainable coastal tourist developments, climate change, limited local capacity, , limited local knowledge , valuation of natural resources. however, there 7 officially protected natural areas in state: benito juárez national park @ 3,272 ha (8,090 acres), huatulco national park @ 11,845 ha (29,270 acres), lagunas de chacahua national park @ 14,920 ha (36,900 acres), playa de escobilla sanctuary @ 30 ha (74 acres), playa de la bahía de chacahua sanctuary @ 31 ha (77 acres), tehuacán-cuicatlán biosphere reserve @ 490,678 ha (1,212,490 acres) , yagul natural monument @ 1,076 ha (2,660 acres).

lagunas de chacahua national park

entrance crocodile nursery located inside lagunas de chacahua national park

lagunas de chacahua national park, created in 1937, lies 54 km (34 mi) west of puerto escondido, near village called zapotalito. can reached via federal highway 200 or boat puerto escondido. park encompasses 132.73 square kilometres (51.25 square miles), 30 km (12 sq mi) of taken various lagoons such ‘laguna de chacahua, ‘laguna de la pastoria, , laguna las salinas. there various smaller lagoons connected narrow channels. rest of park consists of dry land.

the park has 10 different types of vegetation: selva espinosa , swampland, deciduous, sub tropical broadleaf, mangroves, savannah, bosque de galleria , tular , palm trees, , coastal dunes. 246 species of flowers , 189 species of animals have been documented far in park. birds such storks, herons, wild ducks, blue-winged teals, pelicans, , spoonbills can found here. 3 species of turtles visit park lay eggs.

benito juárez national park

cerro de san felipe, benito juárez national park

benito juárez national park located 5 km (3.1 mi) north of oaxaca within municipal limits of san felipe del agua , donaji, oaxaca, , san andres huayapan of central district. designated national park under presidential decree, in 1937. topography of park has elevation range varying 1,650 3,050 metres (5,413 10,007 feet) above sea level. climate coastal sub-humid , temperate sub-humid. main rivers flow through park huayapan , san felipe rivers. of flows used utilized meet drinking water needs of oaxaca through aqueduct in part of 18th century, during colonial period. however, tapped water supply through piped system city. park covers 2,737 hectares (6,760 acres), including 3,111-meter (10,207 ft) high cerro de san felipe (san felipe mountain), part of sierra madre de oaxaca has metamorphic rock formations. has rich biodiversity of flora , fauna. there pine , oak forests in upper reaches of mountain, while lower reaches have scrub oaks, , tropical deciduous forest in canyons. of forest secondary growth, having been forested.

huatulco national park

huatulco national park, known bahias de huatulco national park – huatulco, declared protected area , later decreed national park on july 24, 1998. located in santa maria huatulco town, west of cruz huatulco, extends area of 11,890 hectares (29,400 acres). in low lands of park, there 9,000 species of plant (about 50% of species reported throughout country) in forest , mangroves in coastal belt. fauna species have been identified 264, includes armadillos , white-tailed deer. bird species counted @ 701, include hummingbirds, pelicans , hawks. amphibian , reptile species counted 470, include black iguana, salamanders , snakes. dolphins, whales , turtles sighted species off coast line, out of identified 100 marine species. vegetation dominated low forest growth of caducifolia in 80% area unusual feature of 50 ft (15.24 m) high trees.

tehuacán-cuicatlán biosphere reserve

tehuacán-cuicatlán biosphere reserve, encompasses states of puebla , oaxaca in mexico, established reserve in 1998 covering area of 490,187 ha (1,211,280 acres), altitudinal range of 600 2,950 m (1,969 9,678 ft). in valley of tehuacán-cuicatlán-quiotepec. 6 rivers flow through reserve tomellín, chiquito, las vueltas, salado, zapotitán , río grande of papaloapan watershed, flow gulf of mexico. on account of wide variation in topography , annual rainfall, micro-climatic conditions in reserve has created biosphere reserve, rich in flora , fauna. rich biodiversity of preserve consists of 910 plant genus, 2,700 vascular species, 102 species of mammals, 356 species of birds includes endangered green macaw (ara militaris), , 53 species of reptiles. however, reserve faced threats poaching, deforestation, overgrazing, , trash scattered on highways , secondary roads pass close , through reserve. inadequate patrolling staff issue needs addressed remove threats biosphere reserve.