Lagunas Yávaros-Moroncárti

Overview

Located in the state of Sonora, Mexico, the Yavaros-Moroncárit Lagoons include over 10,000 hectares of mangroves, muddy plains, sandy shallows, low beaches with dunes, and shallows with seagrasses and algae. The larger of the two lagoons, Yavaros Lagoon, is separated from the Gulf of California by two narrow sand bars averaging a kilometer each. Smaller and more shallow, Moroncárit has an area of 611 ha and is joined to Yavaros by a narrow tidal channel that is 7 kilometers long, just under a kilometer wide, and half a meter deep. During low tides, the Moroncárit Lagoon is almost completely exposed, except for a few deep channels, forming huge shallows of sand and mud.

19 species of shorebirds and 85,500 individuals have been recorded in the area.

Part of a flock of Marbled godwits, an emblematic species of the site, resting at Yavaros. Photo by Roberto Carmona

As a Site of Regional Importance, 19 species of shorebirds and 85,500 individuals have been recorded in the area. This includes six species that represent at least more than 1% of its biogeographic population.

13,378 Marbled Godwit (Limosa fedoa), 7.9%
143 American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus frazari), 4.8%
10,189 American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana), 2.2%
44 “Pacific” Snowy Plover (Charadrius nivosus), 1.5%
47,502 Western Sandpiper (Calidris mauri), 1.3%
176 Red Knot (Calidris canutus roselaari), 1%

The WHRN site is part of a protected area that is administered by Mexico’s National Commission of Protected Natural Areas (CONANP). The Yavaros-Moroncárit Lagoons form part of the area of influence of the Islands of the Gulf of California-Sonora Flora and Fauna Protection Areas and is located along the coast of the Huatabampo Municipality, Sonora state (Mexico). The site is also designated as a Wetland of International Importance by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, Important Bird Area (IBA), Priority Wetland for Shorebirds in Mexico, Priority Wetland for Migratory Waterfowl in Mexico. And Marine Priority Area of Mexico.

The main threats in the area include overfishing, modification of the coastal floodplains, cutting of mangroves, discharge of pollutants, illegal hunting and silting. The uplands adjacent to the coastal areas are affected by the development of shrimp farms, salt extraction, agriculture and livestock. There are also negative effects associated with industrial activity in the area, erosion as a result of deforestation for agricultural purposes, and urbanization.