GENERAL INFORMATION

• Area: 126.761 acres (51.300 ha)
• Date of Creation: October 26, 1995
• Altitude: 0 - 115 ft (0 - 35 m)

The objective of the Cayapas — Mataje Reserve is to protect an area of mangrove forest in the coasts of northern Ecuador. The importance of the mangrove forest derives from the protection it gives the coast from erosion and the home it represents to various types of aquatic species. Before it was instituted as a reserve, the area was subject to deforestation in order to create pools for shrimp breeding