Site: Refugio de Vida Silvestre Bocas del Polochic

Designation date: 20-03-1996

Coordinates: 15°25'N 089°22'W

Elevation: 2 m - 5 m

Area: 21,227 ha

Location: This wetland is located in the delta of the Río Polochic on the western shore of Lago de Izabal, between the Sierra de Santa Cruz to the north and the Sierra de las Minas to the south, which are the source of the affluents of the river. It is in the municipality of El Estor, in the department of Izabal.

Criteria: 1 ,2 ,3 ,4

Importance: This wetland is the last remnant of natural vegetation in the lower part of the valley of the Polochic. The area also contributes to the maintenance of food chains, functioning as a breeding site for several species of fish (and the manatee) during critical stages of their life cycle. The Bocas del Polochic and its surroundings are in one of the most important and varied biomes (tropical rain forest) in Guatemala. A total of 213 species of birds, 50 species of mammals and 53 species of fish have been recorded. Many of these are endemic, due to the natural geographical isolation. It is estimated that at least 138 species of reptiles and amphibians live here. This diversity, together with that of the Sierra de las Minas, represents approximately 80% of the fauna in Guatemala. Twenty animal species are listed in Appendices of the CITES Convention. Waterfowl and other birds (Accipitridae, Anatidae, Charadriidae, Ciconiiformes, Falconidae, Pelecanidae, Phalacrocoracidae, Podicipedidae and Sternidae) are the most important groups and at least 75 species of Neoarctic migratory birds visit this wetland. The area is one of the last habitats of mammal species such as the howler monkeys Alouatta palliata and A. mexicana, anteater, tapir, deer, and large wild cats. The Lago de Izabal region bordering on the Bocas del Polochic reserve is the most important reproductive site for the manatee Trichechus manatus on the Guatemalan Atlantic coast.

Wetland Types: 9 ,4 ,Y ,Xf ,W ,Ts ,Tp ,Sp ,P ,O ,N ,M ,L ,K ,F (dominant types shown in bold)

The wetland consists of permanently and seasonally flooded land covered with broad-leaved trees and communities of aquatic vegetation. It is crossed by two large rivers, the Río Polochic and the Río Oscuro (both tributaries of Lago de Izabal), and several smaller permanent and seasonal rivers, ponds and bays.

Biological/Ecological notes: There are four main vegetation communities. The first one consists of aquatic vegetation that grows in stagnant shallow water. It is in this habitat that the manatee and numerous species of fish and aquatic birds live. Secondly, there are reeds and cattail Typha domingensis communities. This is a herbaceous association that grows only in shallow water where it can attach roots. There are also willow communities Salix sp., pioneering terrestrial communities capable of growing at sites with insufficient drainage. These areas remain flooded during part of the year and are used for growing maize and rice. Lastly there are forest communities. These are found on land prone to flooding where Symphonia globulifera, Pterocarpus officinalis, Pachira aquatica and Calophyllum brasiliense rekoi grow. Some communities have a high degree of vertical stratification and the dominant trees are more than 30 m tall. In communities subject to flooding there are several species of epiphytes (mainly orchids), some ferns and many bromelias.

Hydrological/Physical notes: The Polochic- Lago de Izabal - Río Dulce - Bahía de Amatique complex consists of an area of limestone sediment that is estimated to have been formed during the Miocene. There are many faults in the region, especially along the Río Polochic, with lateral movement. The limestone is covered with poorly drained Quaternary alluvial deposits of the River Polochic. Towards the north there is the massive rock complex of the Sierra de Santa Cruz. Towards the south are the metamorphic rock outcroppings of the Sierra de las Minas. The most important rivers are the Polochic and the Oscuro. Other smaller, permanent and seasonal, rivers and streams in the wetland form an intricate hydrological network. In addition, there is a rich variety of ponds, bays, swamps and oxbow lakes. Many of the streams empty into the Río Polochic. All together, these rivers drain an area of approximately 5,070 sq. km.

Human Uses: Large parts of the site are government property. A small percentage is privately owned. There are no human settlements within the reserve. The wetland is near the department of Alta Verapaz where the Q'eqchí indigenous people have a culture of traditional respect for nature and using local medicinal plants. The most important use of wildlife in the wetland is fishing, both for subsistence and trade. Hunting is one of the traditional activities and provides an alternate source of protein for the local inhabitants, who also capture some animals for their skins (crocodiles, nutria, wild cats and some snakes). Other wild animals are caught for trade (parrots, parakeets, toucans and howler monkeys). The inhabitants of El Estor and the surrounding farms cut firewood in the woodlands of the reserve. Epiphytes are gathered for trade. The main economic activity in the surrounding communities is agriculture, concentrated on the growing of food for trade and subsistence (maize, rice and beans), and the ranching of cattle for meat.

Conservation Measures: The area is officially designated as the Refugio de Vida Silvestre Bocas del Polochic. The reserve is administered by the Fundación Defensores de la Naturaleza. The Reserva de la Biósfera Sierra de las Minas, just south of the wetland, has also been declared a protected area. In the future the area will be increased to protect the manatee, by including a greater marine area into the reserve. There is a Management Plan with many conservation measures to improve the preservation of the site, but this has not yet been implemented.

Adverse Factors: The exploitation of wild fauna and flora presents the greatest pressure on the wetland's natural resources. Most frequently hunted are deer, wild cats, monkeys, armadillos, iguanas, turtles and ducks. The tapir and the wild boar were intensively hunted until they almost disappeared. The manatee has been hunted from the beginning of the century and the present population is at a critical level. Over fishing has caused diminishing catches. There has been no evaluation of the impact of the introduction of the tilapia (Sarotherodon spp.) for food and commercial exploitation in Lago de Izabal. The activities of the local inhabitants unavoidably affect the reserve. If the use of fertilisers and insecticides increases, all residues will flow into the lowest parts of the wetlands. Encroachment of private farms is also a potential threat. On the shores of Lake Izabal intensive settlement is taking place.

Site Management: Fundación Defensores de la Naturaleza, Avenida Las Américas 20021 zona 14, C.P. 01014 Guatemala.

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Based on the 1996 Ramsar Information Sheet.