Fishermen at Laguna El Jocotal work in a wonder of biodiversity
Laguna El Jocotal sits at the foot of a volcano. It boasts a hot tropical climate and hosts hundreds of plants, fish, birds, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles.
- 2 years ago
December 21, 2022
SAN MIGUEL, El Salvador ꟷ Laguna El Jocotal sits in the municipality of El Tránsito in the department of San Miguel. Fed by the waters of the Rio Grande, it remains a protected natural area. Thousands of birds inhabit the region, which represents the greatest biodiversity in the nation. Looming over it, you can se the Chaparrastique volcano
Approximately 260 fishermen work in Laguna EL Jocotal from a variety of communities. On weekends and holidays a large number of tourists come into the area as well. While it remains a protected area, many residents use the lagoon like a public laundry. They rely on the lagoon due to lack of water in the territory. This causes contamination due to the use of soaps, bleaches, and detergents.
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The lagoon maintains a hot tropical climate, with two distinct seasons: rainy and dry. The annual temperature averages 26°C with a maximum of 28.8°C in April and a minimum of 25.1°C in December. The lagoon includes two towers for bird watching, each measuring approximately 15 meters high and made of iron.
The site also supports 151 plant species, 21 species of fish, and 252 bird species. It hosts another 43 mammals, 13 amphibians, and 33 reptiles.
All photographs courtesy of Beatriz Rivas.
