From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Apoyo Lagoon Natural Reserve (Spanish: Reserva Natural Laguna de Apoyo) is a nature reserve located between the departments of Masaya and Granada in Nicaragua.[1] The Apoyo Lagoon was declared a nature reserve in 1991 and is managed by the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources (MARENA) and compromises one of 78 protected areas of Nicaragua.[2]
[edit] Flora and fauna
The reserve houses a tropical dry ecosystem, within the reserve the flora consists of numerous species of plants and tropical dry trees, such as pochote, black rosewood, mahogany, hogplum and guacuco, as well as a large variety and amount of orchids. The fauna consists of mammals such as opossums, giant anteaters, pacas, jaguarundis, Howler and White-faced Capuchin monkeys. As well as a variety of reptiles such as green iguanas and common boas. Over 200 species of birds have been documented in the reserve are are abundant, oropendolas, falcons, hummingbirds, and 65 species of migratory birds are present. Also, various species of butterflies and mollusks.[3] Apoyo lagoon also contains a variety of fish species, four species of mojarras, which are to be found exclusively in the lagoon. One of these species is the Arrow Mojarra (Amphilophus zaliosus), discovered in 1976. Three additional species were discovered in 2008, by the multinational research team directed by the Nicaraguan NGO, FUNDECI/GAIA, which manages a research station on the shore of the lake. Additional species are in the process of discovery as of 2008. [4]
[edit] Tourism
The Apoyo lagoon attracts tourists with various tourist attractions such as dark sand beaches for swimming, hiking, diving, paragliding, boating, and nature. Recently, petroglyphs and artifacts of indigenous peoples have been found in the reserve.[3] Strict laws limiting human activity exist in the reserve, and several residential construction projects have been stopped and many landowners have been engaged in legal processes by the Ministry of Natural Resources inside the Reserve, in accordance with the laws regarding Nature Reserves in Nicaragua [5]
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