Flora
The
mangrove
forest
mainly
consists
of
four
types
of
mangrove
tree:
the
Colorado
,
the
red
mangrove,
the
white
mangrove
and
the
jeli
mangrove.
The
iguana
or
black
mangrove
is
most
tolerant
of
the
salty
soils,
common
on
islands,
which
are
formed
by
the
sea
or
by
rivers.
Another
area
characteristic
of
this
ecosystem
is
the
ranconchal
.
This
expanse
of
land
is
periodically
flooded
due
to
high
tides
and
torrential
rains.
It
is
predominantly
covered
by
a
type
of
fern
bush,
which
has
the
potential
to
surpass
two
metres
in
height.
As
well
as
the
mangrove
swamps
and
ranconchal
forests,
the
Reserve
consists
of
small
expanses
of
tropical
rainforest
located
towards
the
interior
of
the
islands.
A
great
variety
of
floral
species
can
be
encountered
here,
for
example,
el
peine
del
mono
(‘monkey’s
comb’),
the
oak
tree
and
the
chanul
tree,
consisting
of
an
endemic
type
of
precious
wood.
Guandal
forests
also
exist
here,
which
are
typically
swampy
areas
with
extremely
unstable
terrain.
Various
species
of
tree
such
as
the
cuangare
,
the
sajo
,
the
tangare
,
the
anime
and
the
sande
,
can
be
found
here.
Fauna
Various
aquatic
species
associated
with
the
mangrove
swamps
inhabit
this
area:
male
and
female
shellfish,
the
oyster
and
piacuil
(another
species
of
shellfish),
molluscs,
the
tasquero
,
blue
and
red
crabs,
shrimp
and
various
other
crustaceans.
These
demonstrate
the
sheer
diversity
of
species
that
inhabit
the
mangrove
forest.
The
exploitation
of
many
of
these
native
species
by
the
adjacent
communities
has
helped
sustain
their
economies
for
decades.
Amongst
those
mammals
most
characteristic
of
the
area
is
the
silky
anteater,
a
small
anthill
which
feeds
off
the
mangrove
trees.
The
green
iguana
is
one
of
the
most
common
species
of
reptile,
whose
meat
and
eggs
are
consumed
by
locals.
In
those
rivers
with
stronger
currents,
ravens
and
cormorants
can
be
observed.
In
the
smaller
streams,
on
the
other
hand,
egrets
can
be
spotted.
Last
Updated
21st
July
2006
(DLW)
