Charles Darwin en Nicaragua

Durante aproximadamente un siglo, las ideas de Charles Darwin sobre la selección de pareja como un motor hacia el desarrollo de especies nuevas, fueron efectivamente desvaloradas dentro del Reino Animalia. Es difícil encontrar un caso donde es probable que dos especies se formaron dentro de una, en una sola población, con sus miembros en permanente contacto. Mientras siempre ha existido la idea que la selección de pareja puede ser un factor importante en el desarrollo de una especie nueva, en la gran mayoría de los casos, es poco probable que no hubiera otro factor, como una barrera geográfica, en la historia del desarrollo de las especies, en particular con animales vertebrados.

El tipo de formación de dos especies de una población de una sola especie, a través de la selección de pareja, es llamado especiación simpátrica. Sin embargo, el caso de la especiación entre un grupo de peces en las aguas de Lago Cocibolca (Lago Nicaragua) y las lagunas cratéricas alrededor, ha sido fundamental en el regreso de este concepto. El grupo de peces lleva el nombre "mojarra" en Nicaragua, y son varias especies, algunas descritas y otras no, del genero Amphilophus.

El tiempo de existencia de las lagunas cratéricas de Nicaragua varía entre unos diez mil y cien mil años, relativamente poco para los procesos de evolución típicos que forman especies nuevas. A pesar de su relativamente reducido tiempo de existencia en esas lagunas, se ha comprobado que procesos rápidos de evolución han sucedido en varias lagunas, a través de estudios morphológicos en Xiloá y Apoyo, y estudios genéticos en varias lagunas. Las aguas de cada laguna son aisladas de otros cuerpos de agua.

Las mojarras se hacen pareja y se anidan dentro de la planta que se llama Chara, en la Laguna de Apoyo. Foto Topi Lehtonen.

Un reportaje sobre los estudios ejecutados por GAIA en las lagunas fue publicado esta semana en El Nuevo Diario, en el cual se mencionan las especies endémicas de este grupo ya identificadas y descritas, de las lagunas de Apoyo, Xiloá y Asososca Managua, y también se menciona un estudio en curso en la Laguna de Masaya, sitio reconocido en desahucio por su nivel de contaminación por basura y aguas residuales que entran en la laguna desde las ciudades aledañas.

Del reportaje en El Nuevo Diario, 30 Agosto, 2017.

Para los científicos, además de que sean especies nuevas que en si tienen importancia, estas mojarras demuestran evidencia de haber sufrido procesos de especiación simpátrica durante el relativamente corto tiempo que habitan las lagunas cratéricas, por lo que sean de gran importancia como sujetos de estudio. Es una lástima que Charles Darwin nunca vino a Nicaragua, para que vea las mojarras que adornan a los lagos y las lagunas de Nicaragua. Si estuviera vivo hoy Charles Darwin, estaría en la Laguna de Apoyo, buceando con nosotros!

De Geiger, McCrary, y Schliewen, 2010.

Estudios de campo en la Laguna de Apoyo. Foto Jeffrey McCrary.

Los peces en la Laguna de Apoyo abundan entre estructuras rocosas. 

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Another day at Estacion Biologica Laguna de Apoyo

Every day brings something new to us at Estacion Biologica Laguna de Apoyo. Observations of flora and fauna, studies being conducted, scuba diving, cultural activities. People teaching, and others learning, Spanish, culture, biodiversity, the environment, volunteering.

New friends are made easily, because we are small and we share with people who visit. People come and go, from Nicaragua and beyond. Some to learn, others to give. Everyone ends up doing a little of both.

Bella, our faithful canine, hangs with the gang in front of Estacion Biologica Laguna de Apoyo. Foto Jeffrey McCrary.

Estacion Biologica is not at all pretentious or upscale. We have a simple place, and we are doing simple things: planting trees, studying the environment, birdwatching, sharing our knowledge of the language and culture, and collaborating with the neighbors and the government of Nicaragua to make Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve a great place for nature, for decades to come. Our visitors are welcome to pitch in. Our prices are very low, but we are comfortable, and we eat very well! Special food options can always be arranged: gluten- or dairy-free, vegetarian, or vegan.

This is how Spanish homework ends some evenings. Photo Andras Dorgai.

We are perhaps best known in some circles for the Spanish courses we offer, at Apoyo Spanish School. Each year, we impart at least one hundred fifty course units of a week each, custom-designed to fit the abilities and needs of each person. Our students are often travels who want to engage with locals better. Many, however, are learning Spanish for professional reasons, using their language skills in Nicaragua or other nearby countries in their jobs.

Early morning in Lake Apoyo, while clouds cover Pacaya, above the rim of the crater. Photo Andras Dorgai.

Undoubtedly, the best part of spending time at Estacion Biologica Laguna de Apoyo is the lake. Mornings, the lake can be calm and smooth as glass, without a soul to be seen near the water. As the day progresses, however, locals and tourists may come for a dip. There is no water body anywhere that is as comfortable and naturally clean as Laguna de Apoyo, for a great swim. Visibility underwater during a scuba dive may be as much as 10 meters on a calm day.

All ages get involved when monkeys are to be seen. Everyone becomes a kid again! Photo Jeffrey McCrary.

Our property at Estacion Biologica is humble, but blessed with great trees and often with lovely wild animals. Golden-mantled howler monkeys, known locally as mono congo, are over our heads these days, perhaps two hundred days each year. We thank effective conservation policies enacted as part of the management plan that our director, Jeffrey McCrary, coordinated for the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources. Several years ago, there were fewer monkeys and they were found in more limited locations than currently.

Apoyo Spanish School students gather for some extra tutoring from Bela. Photo Andras Dorgai.

Volunteers come to Estacion Biologica to participate in specific projects, or in whatever is most needed. One example is the Murrieta family, who recently spent a couple of weeks engaged in all kinds of environmental conservation activities, including the planting of 56 new trees in a reforestation plot in the hillside behind Estacion Biologica. The evenings were filled with discussions ranging from poetry and literature, to politics and saving the environment, to our favorite places in the many cities each of us had lived or visited.

Visits to Estacion Biologica are often a family affair. Photo Jeffrey McCrary.

Each day at Estacion Biologica brings a new, unexpected blessing. The people in these photos are just a sampling of the blessings that have come our way in the most recent months. We are grateful for every hand lent and each voice raised. Please come by or write us!

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Laguna de Apoyo Morning Yoga

Anyone up for some morning yoga? Andras is conducting yoga classes at Estacion Biologica, and you are invited to join it. It's a great way to start the day, by reminding your body of its center, and awakening the relationships between the mind and the body. Starting 6 am, each Monday and Thursday.

Yoga is a great way to start the day, anywhere, but it's best in the jungle. Photo Andras Dorgai.

A hurried day can easily combine with distractions to keep a person from relaxing, feeling oneself, and reducing the effects of all the noise from without and within. Yoga also can get the blood flowing to parts of the body that might not be getting enough attention, without impacts and strains of many sports.

Visitors to Estacion Biologica and students of Apoyo Spanish School can start their mornings with a yoga class. Photo Andras Dorgai. 

The yoga class began on the first morning with sun, following several with impending rain or storms. There was no wind, so the trees were silent, except for the grunts of monkeys raiding the fruits of a couple of Cecropia trees in the yard. They occasionally howled, and a neighboring dog barked. Bella, our own dog at Estacion Biologica, insisted on mixing with the yoga class, too, but she eventually accepted to stay on the margin. Scrubbing of clothes on a wash stand down the way could be heard, as well.

Andras and yoga students on the deck at Estacion Biologica. Laguna de Apoyo makes a great place to practice yoga. Photo Andras Dorgai.

Practicing yoga is good everywhere, although some places call out. If you are visiting Laguna de Apoyo, you are welcome to visit Estacion Biologica Laguna de Apoyo, and practice yoga on our deck. Yoga teachers, experienced people, beginners, and curious are all welcome. You won't need anything special, just come as you are. Our wooden floor is soft enough for most poses, and some cushion can be improvised if you do not have a yoga mat.

Yoga class ends with a moment of relaxation. Photo Pablo Somarriba.

Time for breakfast, then on to Apoyo Spanish School! Or to whatever plan each person has for the day. Some people are Spanish students, others are overnight guests, and others come from nearby hostels just for yoga, or also a great, vegetarian breakfast afterward.

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Scientific Tourism in Estación Biológica Laguna de Apoyo

For the second time in a week, Estación Biológica Laguna de Apoyo has received reportage in the edition 3 July, 2017 of El Nuevo Diario. Our research station is a point of participation for the protection of Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve, through activities in scientific research, environmental education, and conservation activities. Click on the link above and take a look!

GAIA scientist Jeffrey McCrary conducts underwater monitoring in Laguna de Apoyo. Photo Garey Knop.

How to make a center for research, conservation, and education work, we have found, is not easy. We often are in debt, but we carry on. There are plenty of gratifying moments and activities for all of us, which is why we continue. We get to help in small ways to cure nature of the ills caused by humans, through rescue of wild animals, planting and caring for trees, recycling, organizing, educating, coordinating with communities and the government, studying the issues facing the continued protection of the area, and developing policy recommendations. One of the many examples of our success is found in the long list of publications in which we have been involved.

A few areas in which we have worked are mentioned in the cited article. We were involved in getting motorboats and jet skis off the lake permanently. This has been a great advance in the protection of the nature inside the lake, and also makes for a much more pleasant and safe experience for all. Boats have meant ugly noises and danger from constant encroachment onto the spaces of swimmers. Everyone, except the few boaters, are glad they are gone. There are plenty of places to take motorboats, such as Lake Nicaragua, so all people win by the elimination of motorboats from Laguna de Apoyo.

The chancho cichlid, Amphilophus chancho, is one of five fish species from Laguna de Apoyo discovered in studies coordinated by GAIA. Photo Adrianus Konings.

Our group has discovered five species of fish that are only found in Laguna de Apoyo. All of these species are descendants of the parent fish of the so-called Midas cichlid (Amphilophus citrinellus). Research coordinated by GAIA demonstrated that the five species in Laguna de Apoyo are genetically distinct from forms in all the other natural areas inhabited by the Midas cichlid.

Scuba divers can join us in monitoring activities on the fish populations in the lake. We are the only approved dive center in Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve, and we conduct all our activities in cooperation with the local municipal authorities, MINSA, MARENA, and INTUR.

GAIA maintains the costs of operation of Estación Biológica Laguna de Apoyo through visits, donations, sales of lunch and coffee, hostel stay, and training activities such as intensive Spanish courses. We hope you visit us and get to know what we do. Please come by or write us.

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Estacion Biologica Laguna de Apoyo in El Nuevo Diario

The volcanic crater lakes of Nicaragua were once again the subject of a news article in El Nuevo Diario this week. Anyone who has visited the volcanic crater lakes of Nicaragua would agree that they are quite unique. As a group, they are isolated lakes, without any open water channel connecting any of them to any other water body. Their connection through the water table, with slow filtering of water through the sediments and rocks which eliminates the passage of animals and even microorganisms to and from each lake.

GAIA has been active in studying and protecting the fauna and flora of Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve. 

It is precisely this isolation that makes the volcanic crater lakes of particular importance to the study of biodiversity and evolution, and consequently, gives them priority as objects of protection for the conservation of the unique fauna in each lake. The majority of the volcanic crater lakes in Nicaragua have been studied to determine what fish species are found in them. The principal study which documented these lakes was conducted by our group in eight of the volcanic crater lakes, resulting in twenty new distributional records for fish in the country. Prior work had been performed by Jaime Villa, Padre Ignacio Astorqui, and George Barlow, all of whom had conducted some amount of fish studies in one or more volcanic crater lakes.

Each of these eight lakes that have been studied contain unique fauna. Laguna de Apoyo, for instance, is the only wild habitat in the world for six species of fish; Laguna de Xiloa, for another five species. The other, less well-studied lakes on this list, definitely contain unique fish species, as well.

A former employee of our group has more recently sounded the call to name the volcanic crater lakes, collectively, a World Heritage Site, through UNESCO. This idea is not new; in fact, it has been floated repeatedly for the past twenty or so years. While some people host press conferences to hijack ideas for their personal aggrandizement, we are busy doing the things that protect the natural areas of Nicaragua and the biodiversity at risk found in them. For years, GAIA has been on the front lines of defense of the lakes from senseless destruction of the natural resource base in these fragile ecosystems. Although many of the actions go unnoticed by the public, a few have had a larger profile. For instance, GAIA director Jeffrey McCrary served as the coordinator for the development and approval of the official management plan for the Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve. The majority of the entries in this blog deal with the activities of GAIA inside that protected area, although several entries deal with other volcanic crater lakes, as well. In summary, we have been there, advocating for the protection of each of these jewels, with real actions resulting in new knowledge and better policy and protection.

In places like Nicaragua, it is easy to find people who want to be in the spotlight, especially foreigners who jet around from country to country, who talk about peace, or saving children from poverty, or the environment. Sometimes, such as in this example, there is not much behind their grandstanding. The real struggle is not about press conferences with grand proposals, but rather, in the trenches, building schools for poor people, spending countless hours dedicated to community involvement in the decision-making processes for natural resource use and protection, and sleepless nights in the thankless job of making a few hours in the forest or under the water turn into peer-reviewed, accepted research publications that provide meaningful justification to protect special places such as the volcanic crater lakes of Nicaragua.

GAIA is present and active in Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve. 

It was not lost on us that someone would discuss the volcanic crater lakes of Nicaragua in the press as if there were no current and historic initiatives to protect them, and even less surprising that it would come from a foreigner who feels the need to plant himself as protagonist in an effort that needs him to accomplish something that no one in Nicaragua could accomplish without his grandeur. It is absurd to think that someone would propose research stations in these natural areas, as if no research had ever been conducted and published already. We have come accustomed to this type of attitude, and we continue to do what we do, as small as it may seem at times. Our organization, unlike other supposed organizations, is real, solvent, and active. We are in constant communication with the communities where we have alliances and with the relevant institutions of government to assure that what we do is appropriate on all levels.

We invite you to visit us at Estacion Biologica Laguna de Apoyo or write us and get to know us. We seek alliances of all kinds, to work hand in hand wherever possible, to keep nature wild and free in Nicaragua. Please contact us!

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Laguna de Apoyo at dawn

Laguna de Apoyo is called a "laguna", but this term is neither the generally used term in English, nor in Spanish. It is a water-filled volcanic crater, resulting from a huge, volcanic explosion about 23,000 years ago. The lake that occupies the bottom of the crater has no open-water connection to any other body of water, although the water table flows into and out of the lake, and basically defines the lake level.

The lake and the terrestrial interior of the volcanic crater are designated a protected area by the Nicaraguan government, called Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve. There are several natural resource-related issues which justify and focus the conservation issues.

Among the issues that make the Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve a special place, are the views. The lake provides recreation for lots of people who benefit from seeing and interacting with the natural features, especially the lake itself. Being on the shore or in the lake gives one a view of water, forest and sky, a perfect combination.

Laguna de Apoyo at dawn, from the shore in front of Estacion Biologica. Photo Andras Dorgai.

Especially around holiday periods, the lakeshore becomes a festive gathering spot for locals. The beachfront before Estacion Biologica has always been managed as public-access beach for the benefit of all, in accordance with Nicaraguan law. Many hotels and private properties try to deny locals access to the lakeshore before their properties, in order to provide their clients, usually foreigners and sometimes wealthy Nicaraguans, an exclusive experience, even though laws clearly make all lakeshore public property.

During periods that are less touristic, the beach areas of Laguna de Apoyo may be visited by fewer people. On almost any day, the beach is very quiet at dawn. It's a great moment to see the lake, as light emerges over the edge of the crater, when there is little human activity to distract.

Dawn on Lake Apoyo, from a kayak. Photo Andras Dorgai.

There is something special to enjoy personally, alone, and quietly, at dawn on Laguna de Apoyo. The sounds of people, music, cars and the like, are much lower. The wind is usually much lower, too. Birds can be heard from long distances, even monkeys. The shapes of ripples in the water, and the clouds in the sky, help to make a peaceful start to the day.

The lake is often calm at dawn. Photo Wendy Van Kooten.

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Donations to Gaia

We at GAIA feel honored when people want to donate their time, money or materials to help us in our objectives to protect the wild natural resources of Nicaragua. Some people help with our activities as Eco-Warrior Environmental Volunteers, conducting lots of tasks that are important to nature such as reforestation, maintenance, and assistance with wild animal rescue. We love to share our time and efforts with people who share our opinions about the importance of protecting wild nature.

Not everyone can give a block of time to a project such as reforestation. Some people prefer to help by making a small financial donation, or provide some of the materials that are required for our operations, such as foods for animals and containers for planting trees. We want to express our gratitude to the many people who have given small, or sometimes, not so small, material or financial donations to help us do what we do. A few such donations received during the most recent days are mentioned below.

Seeds were donated by the owners of Apoyo Lodge-thank you!

The great folks at Apoyo Lodge dropped by to share with us and they shared their wealth by donating sunflower seeds. It is worth noting that Apoyo Lodge has changed hands, and the new proprietors are particularly kind and conscientious, as is evidenced by their donation of sunflower seeds for the benefit important nutrients.  Our rescue macaw has a flexible diet but, like all parrots, requires certain components, among them, seeds which carry certain small-scale nutrients that this bird may not obtain from the other foods in its daily diet in captivity.

The kinds veterinarians at WorldVets donated a surgery for Juju the kinkajou, and some juicy fruits which were readily devoured. 

Steve and the team from WorldVets donated a costly treatment of surgeries to Juju, a wild kinkajou that was found badly beaten in Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve. The animal was given a chance to live by these operations, which included the removal of a foot and an eye, and closure of an open wound on one cheek. The team dropped in a couple of times to see Juju, and they brought the animal some fruit. From all appearances, watermelon ranks highly in the list of preferred foods for a kinkajou. We often receive severely injured wildlife, and sometimes the success of seeing them heal is worth it all!

Juju the kinkajou likes watermelon. Photo Andras Dorgai. 

There are lots of options for a visit to Laguna de Apoyo these days. The people who visit us often want to be involved in some way in doing something good for the environment. Part of keeping the environment safe for wild nature is patrolling to reduce vandalism, hunting, other bad things that harm the public good. We at Gaia support the local institutions in the ways we can. We had noticed the local patrol motorcycle for the police department was using a completely treadless tire, worn dangerously bald from overuse. Mark Connell, a student of Apoyo Spanish School, took note of our concern and provided a cash donation which covered most of the cost of the tire.

We compared prices and models and acquired the best fit for the job, and made an official delivery to the police representative. Now he can participate in hot pursuit safely!

Our local police representative in Laguna de Apoyo desperately needed a new front tire for his patrol motorcycle, which was donated by Mark Connell and funds from Gaia. Here, Juan Carlos presents the new tire along with Pablo and Mileidy from Gaia. Photo Jeffrey McCrary.

The next time we saw him pass by on the motorcycle, we stopped to ask about the tire, and sure enough, he had already had it mounted on the bike.

Our local police motorcycle now sports a fully new front tire! Photo Jeffrey McCrary.

We don't have any large bank accounts to fund projects without some sort of financing, which is a cruel reality for most not-for-profits that are really doing things of benefit to our society. We depend on contributions from our allies and friends. Sometimes, the contributions are small, but really, no contribution is ever to small. Every penny can be put to use in the protection of wild nature in Nicaragua. Missie and Stephen Lavergne recently gave us two (yes, two!) animal transporters-not exactly a small contribution. The transporters are in nearly-new condition and capable of handling animals of different sizes. Who said Christmas doesn't come in April? It will now be more feasible to transport animals-both wildlife and pets such as Lassie.

Lassie tries our our new large-animal transporter, donated by Missy and Stephen Lavergne. Photo Jeffrey McCrary.

The smaller animal transporter donated generously by Stephen and Missy Lavergne is just right for small and medium-sized animals. Thank you! Photo Andras Dorgai.

Lassie, our newest pet addition, was rescued from the street in Managua. For the next long trip, she now has some very comfortable conditions for traveling. Photo Andras Dorgai.

Andras Dorgai has been learning Spanish and helping as an Eco-Warrior Environmental Volunteer. Not only has he provided lots of great help, he also donated a bag of walnuts to the animals. Anyone who has been in Nicaragua knows that they can be very expensive and the cost can seem even more prohibitive when contrasting to the incomes found in Nicaragua. It is not easy for us to keep the animals fed with high-quality foods that meet their special, nutritional needs without donations. Midorna, our rescue Scarlet Macaw, needs nuts as part of her diet, so she is getting a small quantity daily.

Dorgai is passing a walnut to Midorna, part of their daily ritual. Photo Jeffrey McCrary.

Lots of others have donated items and cash recently, particularly in support of our studies of the wild natural resources in the area. The examples mentioned here are presented to demonstrate the diversity of ways to help available. We want to thank everyone who has made a donation. If you would like to donate to Gaia, please click on the "escudo" below or just come by Estacion Biologica Laguna de Apoyo any time!

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Una nueva mascota en Laguna de Apoyo

La Estación Biológica Laguna de Apoyo ya es dotada de un animal más. Esta vez, no es un animal silvestre, sino una perra. Lassie, una pitbull viejita que pertenecía a un músico de reggae y calypso de renombre en Managua, fue botada a la calle, por ser vieja, por ya no tener el encanto de ser cachorra, por estar enferma, por depender de una familia sin recursos para pagar el costo de curar sus heridas. Pero la verdad es que Lassie no fue botada a la calle por ninguna de esas razones. Fue botada a la calle por la falta de afecto, de conciencia, por tener el corazón encogido los miembros de la familia que decidió olvidarse de ella.

Lassie al momento de su rescate en Managua. Foto Lorena. 

Cuando nos dimos cuenta de Lassie, nos hizo pensar que podríamos asumir la responsabilidad de darle cariño, comida y casa el resto de su vida. Estamos acostumbrados a los animales silvestres, pero esta vez adoptamos una perra!

Lassie en su hogar temporal en Managua, después de ser rescatada por los ángeles de la Fundación ADAN. Foto Lorena.

Los voluntarios de la Fundación ADAN se llevó a la perrita Lassie hasta la Laguna de Apoyo, donde nuestro equipo la adoptó. La pobre perra, viejita y enferma, ya en un lugar nuevo, tuvo que ir adaptándose a nuevas personas, y lugar nuevo, y hasta una perrita con quien estaría compartiendo espacio. Poco a poco, iba reconociendo a las personas nuevas en su vida, hasta decidir adueñarse de un pequeño solar con techo, en el patio de la propiedad de la Estación Biológica.

Lassie comiendo en su solar. Foto Julie Comeau.

Rápidamente, Lassie desarrollaba confianza con nosotros. También, ella aprendía del terreno físico, dónde es de ella y dónde no. Ahora, después de pocos días, ella se siente en casa. Su rescate ha sido exitoso!

Lassie quiere mucho a las personas que manifiestan amor con ella. Foto Julie Comeau.

Esperamos dar mucho a Lassie, amor, comida, salud. Ya sabemos que a nosotros, nos va a dar mucho más que nosotros a ella. Ella fue olvidada por una familia, pero ahora es parte de otra familia que promete a cuidarla y compartir amor con ella. Nuestros voluntarios se dedican a darle cuido y afecto.

Si quieres ayudarnos con alimento o con tu tiempo para nuestros animales silvestres (y domésticos) rescatados, contáctanos! Puedes ayudarnos con el rescate animal!

Haz click en el escudo para contactarnos!

Nuestras Aguas Contaminadas en Nicaragua

Captura de peces en la Laguna de Masaya realizada por Gaia y el equipo del Parque Nacional Volcan Masaya. Foto Marten Hogencamp.

Nicaragua es un país bendecido por sus recursos acuáticos como casi ningún otro. Sin embargo, el manejo de estos recursos ha sido fenomenalmente malo, desde hace muchas décadas atrás. Xolotlán (también conocido como Lago Managua) ahora se clasifica como hipertrófico, es decir la población bacteriana figura muy fuerte en la ecología del lago. Está con enormes cantidades de sedimentos de todas las cuencas que se dirigen al lago, donde el manejo de tierras no ha prevenido la erosión de suelo ni la retención de agua en los acuíferos subacuáticos para el uso humano. No obstante, un siglo atrás, este lago abastecía a los Managuas y muchas otras comunidades con agua potable. Notables cantidades de residuos sólidos municipales entran sin ningún impedimento durante cad alluvia mediante grandes cauces que atraviesan la capital. Los sedimentos en el fondo del lago se encuentran contaminados con químicos industriales y agroquímicos.

Estarán claras las aguas de la Laguna de Apoyo siempre? 

El Lago Cocibolca (también llamado Lago Nicaragua) sufre el mismo proceso de contaminación que el Xolotlán, aunque sus cambios han sido más lentos, debido al gran tamaño del lago, una salida caudalosa, y la dicha de no estar en la orilla de Managua, donde volúmenes desmedidos de desechos se generan. Los cultivos de arroz ocupan fumigación aérea, las ciudades en la cuenca tienen poca capacidad de gestión de aguas servidas. 

Las lagunas cratéricas, ubicadas en los conos de numerosos volcanes en Nicaragua, también se encuentran en crises, hasta los ríos que sufren por el mal manejo de los bosques en su orilla, y la introducción de suelos en el río desde fincas, minas y ciudades.

Aquí se presenta en dos partes un video elaborado por nuestros amigos  sobre el manejo de las aguas naturales en Nicaragua. Entre las lagunas en riesgo se encuentra la Laguna de Apoyo, ahora un foco de turismo muy fuerte; Laguna de Nejapa, que se encuentra casi seca; Laguna Masaya, afectada por desechos sólidos y aguas residuales de la ciudad de Masaya. 

Algunos aspectos de los problemas de agua se encuentran en el siguiente video, dividido en dos partes, elaborado por Fundación Luciérniga. Les invitamos a considerarlo. 

Un factor que hace tan difícil la contaminación de las aguas naturales, es que no se encuentra un individuo o grupo pequeño como culpable. Los responsables de la contaminación de las aguas son muchos, o más bien somos todos. La falta de existencia de políticas públicas que pueden proteger a las aguas trasciende generaciones y gobiernos desde la extrema izquierda hasta la extrema derecha. Una conversación largo para planificar las acciones necesarias para proteger a nuestras aguas es necesario. Quieres participar en el cuido de nuestras aguas? 

Haz clic en el escudo para contactarnos.

Enjoying Laguna de Apoyo

Among the most powerful images that come to mind when one thinks of Nicaragua are those of Laguna de Apoyo. Both foreign travelers and Nicaraguans are stunned by the views. The lake occupies a deep, wide volcanic crater, with relatively steep interior sides, making the lake essentially occupy a hole in the ground. Its clear water is warm, inviting and clean.

Photo Lucy Lia Real.

Although most references to Apoyo characterize it as a lake, it is a true volcano. The lake is often called a crater lake, in which its water has no open flows outward. In fact, its volcanic origins are demonstrated, as there are warm water vents in the lake at several points. Its shape is considerably different from other, more typical volcanoes, such as Masaya and Mombacho, between which Apoyo lies. There is no overground flow of water out of the lake, and its water is slightly salty.

Photo Enrique Palacios Jeyson Hondoy.

Especially on the weekends, Nicaraguans from the neighboring towns love to visit Laguna de Apoyo, where they can picnic and relax in a natural setting, and the few who can swim my get into the water. The entire shoreline is public, making access to the lake wide, although many property owners along the shoreline may not cooperate with access to the water easily.

Photo Jeffrey McCrary.

There really is nothing better than being on the lake, in the water. But that is not the only way to enjoy the lake. The view from Catarina, for instance, is spectacular, and one is often serenaded by folk musicians. There, one can enjoy an ice cream or even a full dinner while marveling at the constantly changing hues in patchwork style across the water, with Volcano Mombacho to the right, Granada and Lake Nicaragua beyond, and Volcano Masaya to the left.

Photo Belen Camino.

The lake can produce whitecaps during the dry season, but when still, especially in the mornings of the rainy season (May through November), the lake can reflect the profiles on the opposite side. Mombacho, often capped by lenticular clouds, faces the viewer when observing from behind Estacion Biologica.

Photo Anne Sutton.

Tourism to Laguna de Apoyo can be massive during certain periods, especially around Easter week. Other times, such as in October, can be relatively quiet. Not only the traffic varies with the season, but also the water and the surrounding forests. Winds are constant during the dry season, making the lake more choppy, whereas the surface may be smooth and reflective as a mirror during the rainy season.

Photo Regina Bernheim Delgadillo.

Some of the beaches, such as in front of Estacion Biologica, are made of black, volcanic sand. Others are rocky and steep. The lake varies from place to place. The water is warm (28 degrees C) year-round.

Photo Lucy Lia Real.

The sirens of Ulysees may appear along the shore of Lake Apoyo. Photo Jen Moran.

Although the black sand is characterized by eroded, volcanic obsidian, but other rocks are prominent along the water's edge, particularly pumice which floats and accumulates along the water's edge. Beaches may also contain patches of clay in some locations, and large, composite boulders are found alongside obsidian.

Clouds tend to set in during the rainy season, from May through November. Photo Jeffrey McCrary.

The water of Laguna de Apoyo is slightly salty with volcanic minerals. There are no currents and the waves are very small. The lakefront in most places has a steeply inclined shoreline, but in front of Estacion Biologica, the shoreline is gently sloped, providing a large area in which one can stand and relax, while swimming in deeper water is possible just a few meters further inward.

Photo Heyling Aviles.

Photo Lucy Lia Real.

Would you like to visit us for a swim and lunch? Or stay a few days? Please contact us to enjoy our wonderful Lake Apoyo.