More Information
Summary Overview
This PCA incorporates the remnants of some of the most important wetlands along Mexico’s entire coastline, including the Marismas Nacionales, a Ramsar Convention-designated wetland. Altata-Ensenada Pabellion, Piuaxtla-Huiza, Marismas Nacionales and Bahía Banderas are four of the largest mangrove systems in the B2B region, and Altata-Ensenada Pabellion, as well as Bahía Santa María, incorporate coastal lagoons that stretch into tidal flats and mangrove forests. The high productivity of such wetlands results in biomass exportation that feeds all of the Gulf of California and results in this area being an important nursery, feeding and breeding site for numerous commercial fish species. Bahía de Banderas and Bahía Santa María are the destinations for the long distance migrations of various whale species, after their journeys from northern feeding grounds. Pollution, exploitation and degrading land use, such as the destruction of wetlands for shrimp farming, are on the rise in this area.
Site Overview
This area, the wetlands (humedales) along the coasts of Sonora, Sinaloa, Nayarit and Jalisco, incorporates the remnants of some of the most important wetlands along Mexico’s entire coastline, including the Marismas Nacionales, a Ramsar Convention-designated wetland. These wetlands provide valuable ecosystem functions, including stabilizing the coasts, capturing sediments, fixing nutrients and recharging aquifers. Altata-Ensenada Pabellion, Piuaxtla-Huiza, Marismas Nacionales and Bahía Banderas are four of the largest mangrove systems in the B2B region, and Altata-Ensenada Pabellion, as well as Bahía Santa María, incorporate coastal lagoons that stretch into tidal flats and mangrove forests. Bahía de Banderas contains a great diversity of habitat and its coast, like that of Piuaxtla-Huiza, are lined with rocky and sandy beaches. Situated between the Mayo and Fuerte Rivers, Agiabampo’s coast is lined with mangroves. The high productivity of such wetlands results in biomass exportation that feeds all of the Gulf of California and results in this area being an important nursery, feeding and breeding site for numerous commercial fish species, such as sardines, and for invertebrates. Shrimp aquaculture is well developed, resulting in both economic livelihoods and environmental threats to the area.
The Marismas Nacionales and the adjacent beaches of this region are nesting sites for sea turtles such as the green and olive ridley. The freshwater marsh regions of the Marismas Nacionales are also home to several crocodile species. The wetlands of this area provide a vital feeding and breeding corridor for an abundance of migratory seabirds and waterfowl, such as black brant, roseate spoonbill (Ajaia ajaja), American oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) and snowy plover (Charadrius alexandrinus). At least 30 percent of the Pacific Flyway shorebirds that breed in Alaska, western Canada and the United States overwinter along the Sinaloa coast. The mangroves of Nayarit and Sinaloa contain high concentrations of migratory birds, and the Sonoran coastline harbors more than 120 bird species, of which 73 percent are aquatic.
Bahía de Banderas and Bahía Santa María are the destinations for the long distance migrations of various whale species, after their journeys from northern feeding grounds. Bahía de Banderas is a site of humpback whale breeding, and Bahía Santa María is a gray whale nursery and breeding ground. Pollution, exploitation and degrading land use, such as the destruction of wetlands for shrimp farming, are on the rise in this area.
Fact Sheet
Meseta de Cacaxtla Flora and Fauna Protection Area
Playa Ceuta Sanctuary (Sea Turtle)
El Verde Camacho Sanctuary (Sea Turtle), Wetland of International Importance, Ramsar Convention
Marismas Nacionales, Wetland of International Importance, Ramsar Convention
Laguna Playa Colorada – Santa María La Reforma-Wetland of International Importance, Ramsar Convention
Isla Isabel National Park, Wetland of International Importance, Ramsar Convention
Islas Marietas National Park, Wetland of International Importance, Ramsar Convention
Arcos de Vallarta Refuge for Marine Flora and Fauna Protect
humpback whale, gray whale, blue whale, killer whale
pink-footed shearwater
east pacific green turtle, hawksbill turtle, loggerhead turtle, leatherback turtle
includes some of the largest mangrove expanses
in the B2B region
Remainder of most important wetland habitats in Mexico
Vital feeding and breeding corridor for abundance of migratory seabirds and waterfowl
Threats
| PCA | Extratction of nonrenewable resources | Exploitation of renewable resources | Coastal land use change | Pollution at coast/at sea | Damagin recreational use | Physical alteration of coastline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Humedales de Sonora, Sinaloa y Nayarit/Bahía de Banderas (Mexico) |  | | | | |  |
MSCCC
MSCCC Mammals: humpback whale, gray whale, blue whale, killer whaleMSCCC Birds: pink-footed shearwater
MSCCC Turtles: east pacific green turtle, hawksbill turtle, loggerhead turtle, leatherback turtle
Other Priority Conservation Areas
Priority Conservation Areas (PCAs) are areas of trinational importance due to their ecological significance, threatened nature and opportunities for conservation.
