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Description
The Lagunas de ECUASAL are located in the southwestern coastal region of Ecuador (Santa Elena Peninsula), so most of the time they are under the influence of the cold Humboldt Current. Throughout the year, the environmental temperature fluctuates between 22ºC in summer (between June and November) and a maximum temperature of 33ºC in winter (between December and May). From June, when the southern winter sets in, the temperature of the sea surface decreases. Masses of relatively cold sea air enter the coastal strip resulting in drizzly weather with very weak rain values, so this is an area of dry weather with a maximum average of 250 mm a year. It is precisely for this reason that this is one of the few areas in the country which facilitates salt production at industrial level. The lakes are currently home to thousands of resident and migratory water birds throughout the year, and this already prompted its designation as Important Bird Conservation Areas (IBAs) (Birdlife 2005). The lakes are an important stopover place for migratory birds, particularly during the months of August and September when they gather in large numbers. Up to 32,000 individuals of the same species –Wilson’s phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor)—have been counted in the area (more than 2% of the total population). Additionally, the site is home to over 20,000 water birds. During the last 15 years, the Ecuadorian Salt and Chemical Products Company (ECUASAL), owner and manager of the two production plants, has lent its facilities to local ornithologists for the study of the birds, and has shown great interest in supporting bird conservation. |
Site Facts
Country, State, Province/Region: Ecuador Province of Guayas, Santa Elena Peninsula Relative Location: The Salinas lakes are located 1 km southeast of the town of the same name and the Pacoa lakes are 10 Km from Santa Elena (15 Km from Salinas) between San Pablo and Monteverde. Latitude/Longitude: ECUASAL Salinas: 02º 13´S 80º58´O, Pacoa: 02º 05´S 80º44´O Category: Site of Regional Importance Basis for Designation: More than 20,000 shorebirds per year Size: ECUASAL Salinas: 500 ha, ECUASAL Pacoa: approximately 800 ha Joined: 16 January 2007 Site Owner/Steward: Ecuatoriana de Sal y Productos Químicos C.A. (ECUASAL) Site Partners: Aves & Conservación / Ben Haase (Local ornithologist) Human Population within 100 km: 200,000 people; fluctuates according to the season, increasing between November and April. Contact: Ecuatoriana de Sal y Productos Químicos C.A. (ECUASAL), (593 )4 – 232 5666: info@ecuasal.com Nicolas Febres-Cordero G. (nico@ecuasal.com) Juan García (jgarcia@ecuasal.com) Raúl García (rgarcia@ecuasal.com) Ben Haase, bhaase@ecua.net.ec, (593) 4 277 8329 ó 277 7335 (Museo de Ballenas de la Fundación Ecuatoriana para el Estudio de Mamíferos Marinos (FEMM), www.fem.org) Aves &Conservación, aves_direccion@avesconservacion.org (593) 2 2271800 |
