Flora and fauna
They are very characteristic of a tropical region, but in this small country, it's interesting to note that the flora includes over 400 varieties of orchid. The fauna, meanwhile, includes over 1,000 species of butterfly, over 500 species of bird, around 160 species of mammal and over 500 species of sea fish.
The flora is dominated by tropical deciduous vegetation. Vegetation is strongly influenced by relief. Variations in altitude, from sea level to over 2,700 meters, help forests to grow, many river estuaries drain into the ocean and form mangrove swamps, and many freshwater lakes and lagoons have their own ecosystems. Forests, particularly alpine and cloud forests, cover around 17% of the territory. Coffee plantations cover a further 9%. Primitive forests cover less than 7% of the surface area, and national parks and protected areas only 2.13%. El Salvador's flora includes mahogany, cedar, walnut, mangrove, rubber, balsam, pine, oak and tropical fruit trees. Medicinal plants and orchids add to the abundance of Salvadoran flora. The country's main forest region is the humid, mountainous forest zone in the Balsamo mountain range.
El Salvador's fauna includes 500 species of birds, 200 of which are migratory. These include the Beryline hummingbird and the torogoz, which has been declared a national bird. It is characterized by its variety of colors and its long tail ending in two fine pyramidal feathers. This endemic and unique bird can be found in various mountainous regions. Unfortunately, it is considered an endangered species.
The birds present in the country are not necessarily exclusive to the country; many of these birds are distributed throughout the Central American region, and many others from the south of North America to the north of South America. Other species are only passing through, migrating to protect themselves from the cold.
Mammals include the jaguar, Baird's tapir, coyote, ocelot and several varieties of monkey, armadillo, coati, agouti, anteater, otters and porcupine. Other more or less common animals include squirrels, goats, rabbits and foxes.
As for amphibians and reptiles, there are around 4 species of toad, 7 species of frog, 19 species of lizard, 24 species of snake and 1 species of tortoise. These include the rattlesnake, coral snake, false coral snake, green iguana, boa constrictor, black-eyed tree frog, padlock turtle and caiman.
Protected natural areas
El Salvador is one of the most deforested countries in the world, and the second most deforested country in the Americas after Haiti, with less than 7% primary forest left, and growing overpopulation leading to extensive urban infrastructure construction. Today, protected areas are few and far between, but efforts are being made to maintain a certain number of natural zones in the country that enable the maintenance of endemic flora and fauna. There is a long tradition of hunting among the Salvadoran population; at the same time, poverty forces a large part of the population to use wildlife as a protein supplement. Species such as the iguana and garrobo are traditionally eaten in large quantities, and their meat and eggs are highly prized. The exploitation of wildlife is prohibited.
There are currently 24 protected areas, covering a wide variety of terrestrial and marine ecosystems.
The Rio Sapo, Lake Ilopango, Gulf of Fonseca, Chaguantique Forest, Volcanoes National Park, Cerro El Pital, Tecapa Volcano and Laguna d'Alegria, Los Cobanos Reef, Montecristo National Park, Los Chorros de la Calera and El Boqueron National Park are the main ones.
The Chaguantique forest is one of the protected areas, with trees 50 to 60 meters high that are home to the spider monkey, a species of monkey with only four toes on each leg that was on the brink of extinction. Chaguantique, in the Nahuatl language, means "place of beautiful springs". This forest boasts numerous springs and a series of ponds.
The Los Cobanos reef boasts several beaches, whose honey-colored sand, coral composition, calm waters and rock formations stand out throughout the area. This protected area covers 264 square kilometers of marine ecosystem and is under environmental protection, due to its natural richness and diversity.
Whale watching is frequent at Los Cobanos, particularly for humpback whales. Scientific studies have established that this nutrient-rich area attracts these enormous mammals, who feed and rest in its waters during January and February, before continuing their migration from Alaska to Ecuador.
The site is particularly important as it features the only coral reef formation between Mexico and Costa Rica. On the site, ecosystems such as mangroves provide shelter and habitat for endangered species, and species classified as Vulnerable such as the leatherback turtle and the ingens seahorse. This is the only place in El Salvador where the coral Porites lobata can be found.
Endangered animals and plants
Pollution, overpopulation and deforestation to urbanize every last hectare have extremely negative consequences for nature, including the endangerment of a large number of animal species.
Some of these endangered animals are :
Birds: 7 species are in danger of extinction, including the sparrow hawk, the king vulture, the quetzal and the torogoz.
Fish, amphibians and reptiles: 17 species are threatened, including the red-eyed tree frog, the salamander and the caiman.
Mammals: 6 species are threatened, including the jaguar, the ocelot and the spider monkey, the only animal native to El Salvador.
The same applies to flora: a total of 52 tree species have been identified as endangered in the country due to indiscriminate felling and illegal exploitation of forest resources.
