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Biosphere Reserve of Centla Swamps
State: Tabasco. Country: Mexico.

Swamps are thought as places with quicksand, mosquitoes, smelly stagnant waters and asphyxiating vegetation, but swamps are important because they fulfill a function that maintains the biological, hydrological, ecological, economical and social values.

The most relevant swampy are in Mexico is the Grijalva and Usumacinta delta that is found in the Biosphere Reserve of Centla Swamps, with an extension of 300 thousand hectares, northeast of the state of Tabasco, Mexico.

Two of the most important rivers of Mesoamerica meet in this area: the Usumacinta and the Grijalva, one third of the fresh water of Mexico runs trough this river basin, worldwide it occupies the seventh place because of the volume of water that runs trough it.

The landscape of this area is formed by different water bodies such as rivers, creeks, flooded areas, swamps and lagoons which originate such a great variety of vegetation that is considered the most important living museum of aquatic plants in Mesoamerica.

Ecologically aquatic plants are important because they prevent erosion, their roots hold and compress the sediment; they also filtrate and clean the water from pollution by retaining the sediments suspended in the water.

Aquatic plants represent a source of food and permanent substrate for animals and a place for reproduction. For example; birds and fishes use the substrate to lay their eggs or as a temporary refuge in juvenile stages.

Swamp Importance

* In flooding seasons swamps are natural buffer areas, the water is held by the vegetation preventing excessive flooding from the water bodies.

* Swamps can be compared with huge sponges because they hold a great amount of water that is infiltrated to the aquiferous layer from were this vital liquid is extracted for human consumption.

* The swamps capacity to hold the water, plus the flooding, originate rich amount of nutrients that are used as a source of food and reproduction areas by marine, fresh water, local and migratory species. For the fisheries they also represent a source of food.

* Sedimentation processes in the swamps neutralize the noxious effect of pollution.

* Alluvium sediments that flood down from Guatemala and Chiapas down to Centla Swamps, stabilize the shore line and gain land to the ocean, they also prevent erosion and the salinization of the lands.

Biodiversity

This area counts with a representative biodiversity of the national territory and its conservation status is considerable, however it is exposed to anthropogenic activities that threaten the structure and the function of the swamps such as illegal hunting, pollution, changes in the water dynamics and fires.

Vertebrates in Centla Swamps are well represented as a result of the huge variety of ecosystems and the relationship in between flora and fauna. One example of this is that this area has one of the biggest concentrations of manatees (Trichechus manatus) of Mexico.

There are populations in this reserve with species that have been drawn almost to extinction regionally and worldwide such as the cocodrile swamp (Cocodrylus morelettii), white turtle (Dermatemys mawii), manatee (Trichechus manatus) and migratory birds such as peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus).

There are also species in vulnerable status, such as the jaguar (Pantera onca) and the howling monkey (Alouatta palliata). This area has over 569 species of plants, 255 bird species including resident and migratory birds, 104 species of mammals, 68 reptiles' species, 52 fish species and 27 amphibious species.

One of the most spectacular landscapes of Centla Swamps is the bird concentrations that each winter is formed by migrating birds from Northamerica, locally called pajarales, where they nest, lay their eggs and take care of their chickens. Some of these birds are: Roseate spoonbill (Ajaia ajaja), Wood stork (Mycteria americana) and white ibis (Eudocimus albus).

Bird watching in this area has many advantages, in a short distance birders are able to watch a great variety of birds such as: Bare-throated tiger heron (Trigisoma mexicanum) Great blue heron (Ardea herodias), Great egret (Casmerodios albus), Black-bellied tree-duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis), vermilion flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus), tutupana, Northen jacana (Jacana spinosa) and five species of kingfishers (Ceryle torquata).

The swamp crocodile (Cocodrilo moreletti) is one of the most representative species of these swamps and is the only crocodile specie that lives in this area. Unfortunately its skin is very valued and it is still sold illegally. Each year crocodiles and turtles are caught illegally with the help of fires that are provoked. Animals come out of their shelters and then are trapped, kill or sold by humans. Fires have devastated hectares of this ecosystem and a long with illegal hunting some species are being drawn to extinction.
Besides their ecological value, a great amount of species are used by the communities as a food source, decoration, commerce and in their legends and traditions.

The direction of the Biosphere Reserve of Centla Swamps works with the communities in sustainable projects trying to promote the rational use of the natural resources while generating alternate job opportunities, some of these projects include environmental education, reforestation, aquaculture and ecotourism, however the conservation of the natural protected areas depends upon all the users of the areas.

We thank Katia Galindo Albrechtsen for the content of this article and Fernando Elizalde for the photographs.

<<EcoTravel Directory - Mexico
Mexico: Natural Areas
	Biosphere Reserve of Centla Swamps State: Tabasco. Country: Mexico. Swamps are thought as places with quicksand, mosquitoes, smelly stagnant waters and asphyxiating vegetation, but swamps are important because they fulfill a function that maintains the biological, hydrological, ecological, economical and social values. The most relevant swampy are in Mexico is the Grijalva and Usumacinta delta that is found in the Biosphere Reserve of Centla Swamps, with an extension of 300 thousand hectares, northeast of the state of Tabasco, Mexico. Two of the most important rivers of Mesoamerica meet in this area: the Usumacinta and the Grijalva, one third of the fresh water of Mexico runs trough this river basin, worldwide it occupies the seventh place because of the volume of water that runs trough it. The landscape of this area is formed by different water bodies such as rivers, creeks, flooded areas, swamps and lagoons which originate such a great variety of vegetation that is considered the most important living museum of aquatic plants in Mesoamerica. Ecologically aquatic plants are important because they prevent erosion, their roots hold and compress the sediment; they also filtrate and clean the water from pollution by retaining the sediments suspended in the water. Aquatic plants represent a source of food and permanent substrate for animals and a place for reproduction. For example; birds and fishes use the substrate to lay their eggs or as a temporary refuge in juvenile stages. Swamp Importance * In flooding seasons swamps are natural buffer areas, the water is held by the vegetation preventing excessive flooding from the water bodies. * Swamps can be compared with huge sponges because they hold a great amount of water that is infiltrated to the aquiferous layer from were this vital liquid is extracted for human consumption. * The swamps capacity to hold the water, plus the flooding, originate rich amount of nutrients that are used as a source of food and reproduction areas by marine, fresh water, local and migratory species. For the fisheries they also represent a source of food. * Sedimentation processes in the swamps neutralize the noxious effect of pollution. * Alluvium sediments that flood down from Guatemala and Chiapas down to Centla Swamps, stabilize the shore line and gain land to the ocean, they also prevent erosion and the salinization of the lands. Biodiversity This area counts with a representative biodiversity of the national territory and its conservation status is considerable, however it is exposed to anthropogenic activities that threaten the structure and the function of the swamps such as illegal hunting, pollution, changes in the water dynamics and fires. Vertebrates in Centla Swamps are well represented as a result of the huge variety of ecosystems and the relationship in between flora and fauna. One example of this is that this area has one of the biggest concentrations of manatees (Trichechus manatus) of Mexico. There are populations in this reserve with species that have been drawn almost to extinction regionally and worldwide such as the cocodrile swamp (Cocodrylus morelettii), white turtle (Dermatemys mawii), manatee (Trichechus manatus) and migratory birds such as peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus). There are also species in vulnerable status, such as the jaguar (Pantera onca) and the howling monkey (Alouatta palliata). This area has over 569 species of plants, 255 bird species including resident and migratory birds, 104 species of mammals, 68 reptiles' species, 52 fish species and 27 amphibious species. One of the most spectacular landscapes of Centla Swamps is the bird concentrations that each winter is formed by migrating birds from Northamerica, locally called pajarales, where they nest, lay their eggs and take care of their chickens. Some of these birds are: Roseate spoonbill (Ajaia ajaja), Wood stork (Mycteria americana) and white ibis (Eudocimus albus). Bird watching in this area has many advantages, in a short distance birders are able to watch a great variety of birds such as: Bare-throated tiger heron (Trigisoma mexicanum) Great blue heron (Ardea herodias), Great egret (Casmerodios albus), Black-bellied tree-duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis), vermilion flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus), tutupana, Northen jacana (Jacana spinosa) and five species of kingfishers (Ceryle torquata). The swamp crocodile (Cocodrilo moreletti) is one of the most representative species of these swamps and is the only crocodile specie that lives in this area. Unfortunately its skin is very valued and it is still sold illegally. Each year crocodiles and turtles are caught illegally with the help of fires that are provoked. Animals come out of their shelters and then are trapped, kill or sold by humans. Fires have devastated hectares of this ecosystem and a long with illegal hunting some species are being drawn to extinction. Besides their ecological value, a great amount of species are used by the communities as a food source, decoration, commerce and in their legends and traditions. The direction of the Biosphere Reserve of Centla Swamps works with the communities in sustainable projects trying to promote the rational use of the natural resources while generating alternate job opportunities, some of these projects include environmental education, reforestation, aquaculture and ecotourism, however the conservation of the natural protected areas depends upon all the users of the areas. We thank Katia Galindo Albrechtsen for the content of this article and Fernando Elizalde for the photographs.