La Mancha y El Llano. 02/02/04; Veracruz; 1,414 ha; 19°36'N 096°23'W. Two coastal lagoons in the Gulf of Mexico surrounded by mangroves and two humid dune slacks. The latter are shallow freshwater lakes supplied by groundwater and surrounded with deciduous seasonally flooded forest of Crysobalanus icaco and Enterolobium cyclocarpum and communities of Cyperus articulatus and Phyla nodiflora. These are threatened and unique ecosystems in the whole coast of Veracruz where coastal dunes can reach 80 m in height but are being filled in for urban growth. Mangroves host populations of Belize Crocodiles Crocodylus moreletii, Wood Stork Mycteria americana and Reddish Egret Egretta rufescens. Oysters, clams and shrimp are fished regularly. The lagoons are being silted due to mangrove and upper basin deforestation, and impacts of infrastructure such as oil pipelines, road and railway building present threats. The Instituto de Ecología A.C. is located on the site, maintaining ongoing research activities and elaborating a community management plan. Ramsar site no. 1336. Most recent RIS information: 2004.

Date de dernière publication: 02-02-2004