Etang Saumâtre
Encyclopedia
Étang Saumâtre is the largest lake
in Haiti
and the second largest lake in Hispaniola
, after Lake Enriquillo
. It is also known as Lac Azuéi (Lake Azuéi); it is called Lago del Fondo in the Dominican Republic
. Its Taíno
name was Yainagua.
The Étang Saumâtre, the brackish water
lake is a twin of the Enriquillo Lake, is 22 kilometres (13.7 mi) east of Port-au-Prince
on the fertile Plaine du Cul-de-Sac. The lake supports over 100 species of waterfowl
, flamingo
s and American crocodile
s, one of the few lakes of its type in the world to harbour such fauna. The colour of the lake is an intense shade of blue and this picturesque lake is skirted by brush and cacti.
part of the valley Cul-de-Sac, 29 kilometres (18 mi) east of Port-au-Prince
in the Ouest
department
. Its eastern side is part of the border between Haiti and the Dominican Republic; the Dominican
city of Jimaní
is at less than 1 km from the southeast end of the lake.
The lake itself is part of a chain of nearby saline lakes that lie in the Hispaniolan rift valley
, (known as the Cul-de-Sac Depression in Haiti and the Hoya de Enriquillo in the Dominican Republic). Because the region was a former marine strait
, several areas of the rift valley are below sea level. While the lake created in a depression is 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) long and 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) wide, however, during heavy rainfall years it merges with another lake to its east known as the Enriquillo or Xaragua in the Dominican Republic, which is 27 kilometres (16.8 mi) long, 8 kilometres (5 mi) wide and fairly deep; the two together would have a water spread stretching to 60 kilometres (37.3 mi) length, at an elevation of 300 metres (984.3 ft), larger than the Lake Geneva. It is 25 kilometres (15.5 mi) away from the sea and Haitians call it the 'Etang Sale'.
Étang Saumâtre is landlocked as it has no surface outlet. It is fed by springs emanating from calcareous rocks. The western part of the lake has slightly saline water while the eastern part has fresh water.
The lake has a length, from northwest to southeast, of 22 kilometres (13.7 mi); its maximum width is 12 kilometres (7.5 mi). The total area is 170 square kilometre. The lake water has an elevation of 15 metres (49.2 ft) with maximum water depth being 30 metres (98.4 ft). A sandy shore, shallow lagoons and mudflats form the eastern shore line, while the western shores have small fresh water springs and marshes. The eastern shore is state-owned, but parts of the western side of the lake are privately owned. Salinity of the lake water is now reported as 15‰ (parts per thousand). Lake water fluctuations are minimal, at about 50 centimetres (19.7 in), except during the drought period, when the water level could go down by 2 metres (6.6 ft). Conversely, the water level rises about 2 metres (6.6 ft) above the average during heavy rainfall years. However, it was once inferred that Azuéi’s level in Haiti and the Enriquillo lake level in the adjoining Dominican Republic had registered a drop, since Columbus
had visited the area more than 500 years ago. The present assessment is that the level of the lake has been rising in recent years, forcing Haitians who live in plantation residential areas ("bateyes") around the edge of the lake to seek higher ground.
Another inference drawn by a comparison between the two lakes – Azuéi and Enriquillo – which are in the same area and have the same origin (and which also become one water body during years of high rainfall) is that though they are considered "twins," they are two dissimilar bodies of water. Azuéi has a stable shore line, its waters are azure blue in colour, salinity level is low (11‰) and its surface area is relatively stable. However, Enriquillo’s water looks white – greyish in colour, its salinity levels are very high (they have risen from 36‰ to 110‰) and current water surface area (160 square kilometre compares to 280 square kilometre in 1968. The climatic conditions for both lakes are similar (low rainfall in the range of 500–1000 mm (19.7–39.4 in)), within similar geological setting.
Azuéi's salinity
is about one fifth (1/5) the salinity of sea water. A few small rivers flow into the lake.
The lake supports over 100 species of waterfowl
(including flamingo
s), as well as American crocodile
s; fresh water species of turtle
, including Painted turtle
, and Rhinoceros Iguana
. Some fishes, such as tilapia
, are also found. Its recognized importance is as a breeding, passage and wintering area for numerous bird species: as many as 300–400 breeding pairs of wading birds in the Ciconiiformes
can be found in the eastern zone of the lagoon. Important avian raptor species of the lake include the osprey, Pandion haliaetus.
American crocodiles
American crocodiles, Crocodylus acutus, are found in this land-locked, brackish lake in large numbers, and have instilled fear among the local community. It is one factor responsible for the poor development of the lake as an ecotourism project. Extensive studies have been reported on this species of American crocodile, as opposed to the Central American Crocodylus moreletii and the South American Crocodylus intermedius.
The American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) is widely distributed in the coastal region of the neotropics. However, it is conjectured to be surviving on the island of Hispaniola only in salt water lakes of Enriquillo and Lake Azuéi. In 1984, there were estimated to be more than 400 individuals in and around Azuéi. It is also reported that this population is nearing extinction due to excessive hunting and poaching.
Crocodylus acutus generally achieve a length of 4 metres (13.1 ft), though 6.25 metres (20.5 ft) long or 7 metres (23 ft) long specimens have been reported in the Étang Saumâtre. The lake is known for the high concentration of crocodiles at 9.6/km in certain zones, with average density of 6.3/km for all crocodile size classes. The density varies in its habitat zones, over a distance of 1 kilometre (0.621372736649807 mi) and 1.5 kilometre (0.93205910497471 mi) length from the shore line. In the rocky shores, the density was reported to be 0.2/km. However, from 1 kilometre (0.621372736649807 mi) from the shore line called the conocarpus
fringe, the density was recorded as 14.5/km. They grow in size up to the age of 2 years when their size is in the range of 0.9–1.8 m (3–5.9 ft). They are found in shallow water zones also and feed on Cichlid
s (Cichlasoma
hatiensis). They remain mostly at the bottom of the lake and during bird nesting season they are found around a heron rookery to catch falling eggs of birds. Their foraging techniques vary from an active to a passive mode and they forage on non aquatic invertebrates and also odonate larvae
. Birds and fish (cichilide) are the common items of their diet. Adults also eat domestic animals such as dogs and goats, and turtles. They nest in a 6.6 kilometres (4.1 mi) stretch within a range of 7–47 m (23–154.2 ft) from the shoreline, of the uninhabited eastern lake shore, near charcoal making sites and in coralliferous limestone
out crops.
Aqua fauna
Aqua fauna of the lake consists of "small Poeciliidae
(Gambusia dominicensis Regan, Limia melanonotata Nich & May, L. nigrofasciata Reg.) and Cichlidae (Cichlosoma haitiensis)". In the past, 17,000 mirror carp
fingerlings
and 50,000 Tilapia mossambica fingerlings (a figure of 6,000 is also mentioned) were reportedly stocked in the lake. Fish productivity figures of the lake are not available. However, the actual catches are reported to be small, as fishing is done only on a small scale. Boats do not ply the lagoon; fishing methods are primitive and no nets are used. Ducks are hunted for food as well.
around the lake is sparse, with cacti
and scrub-type shrub
s. Typical vegetation consists of dry-forest plants endemic to the island of Hispaniola
. They include trees, shrubs and cacti: caguey (Neoabbottia paniculata), melon espinoso (Melocactus lemairei), palo blanco (Croton poitaei), pitahaya (Harrisia nashii) and oreganillo (Lantana cifferiana).
The lagoon itself has several species of algae
. In the fringes of the lake, Conocarpus erectus are reported and Typha domingensis
are seen in the marshy region and fresh water streams and canals that have inlet into the lake. The lake has halophytic algae laid out as mattresses growing on its lake bed. Buttonwood
mangroves (Conocorpus erectus) trees have large growth in the periphery of the lake. These are felled extensively to make charcoal
.
in the form of increased growth of algae
have been noted due to urban growth in Fonds Parisien. Solid waste is also creating problem for the lake, as during heavy afternoon winds, plastics fly into the lake. And there is no waste management programme either in the vicinity of the lake.
and many international agencies are aware of the status of the two water bodies and the catchments drained by them. While Lago Enriquillo in the Dominican Republic has become the first Dominican Ramsar Site and is also a national park since 1996, its twin lake, the Etang Saumâtre has only been studied and is yet to receive the constructive attention for conservation of its American crocodiles and to promote ecotourism in general. However, a transboundary environmental program covering the watershed of the two lakes has been identified by the two governments to jointly initiate measures to improve the condition of the lakes and their respective catchments. This team, with professionals drawn from both countries, and with financial support from the European Union
, could ensure that steps are taken to “create wise use practices for both lakes and their corresponding watersheds”.
Lake
A lake is a body of relatively still fresh or salt water of considerable size, localized in a basin, that is surrounded by land. Lakes are inland and not part of the ocean and therefore are distinct from lagoons, and are larger and deeper than ponds. Lakes can be contrasted with rivers or streams,...
in Haiti
Haiti
Haiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
and the second largest lake in Hispaniola
Hispaniola
Hispaniola is a major island in the Caribbean, containing the two sovereign states of the Dominican Republic and Haiti. The island is located between the islands of Cuba to the west and Puerto Rico to the east, within the hurricane belt...
, after Lake Enriquillo
Lake Enriquillo
Lake Enriquillo is a lake in the Dominican Republic and is the largest lake and lowest point in the Caribbean and the lowest point on any ocean island. It is one of only a few saltwater lakes in the world inhabited by crocodiles...
. It is also known as Lac Azuéi (Lake Azuéi); it is called Lago del Fondo in the Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
. Its Taíno
Taíno people
The Taínos were pre-Columbian inhabitants of the Bahamas, Greater Antilles, and the northern Lesser Antilles. It is thought that the seafaring Taínos are relatives of the Arawak people of South America...
name was Yainagua.
The Étang Saumâtre, the brackish water
Salinity
Salinity is the saltiness or dissolved salt content of a body of water. It is a general term used to describe the levels of different salts such as sodium chloride, magnesium and calcium sulfates, and bicarbonates...
lake is a twin of the Enriquillo Lake, is 22 kilometres (13.7 mi) east of Port-au-Prince
Port-au-Prince
Port-au-Prince is the capital and largest city of the Caribbean nation of Haiti. The city's population was 704,776 as of the 2003 census, and was officially estimated to have reached 897,859 in 2009....
on the fertile Plaine du Cul-de-Sac. The lake supports over 100 species of waterfowl
Waterfowl
Waterfowl are certain wildfowl of the order Anseriformes, especially members of the family Anatidae, which includes ducks, geese, and swans....
, flamingo
Flamingo
Flamingos or flamingoes are gregarious wading birds in the genus Phoenicopterus , the only genus in the family Phoenicopteridae...
s and American crocodile
American Crocodile
The American crocodile is a species of crocodilian found in the Neotropics. It is the most widespread of the four extant species of crocodiles from the Americas. Populations occur from the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of southern Mexico to South America as far as Peru and Venezuela. It also lives...
s, one of the few lakes of its type in the world to harbour such fauna. The colour of the lake is an intense shade of blue and this picturesque lake is skirted by brush and cacti.
Geography
Étang Saumâtre is located on the aridArid
A region is said to be arid when it is characterized by a severe lack of available water, to the extent of hindering or even preventing the growth and development of plant and animal life...
part of the valley Cul-de-Sac, 29 kilometres (18 mi) east of Port-au-Prince
Port-au-Prince
Port-au-Prince is the capital and largest city of the Caribbean nation of Haiti. The city's population was 704,776 as of the 2003 census, and was officially estimated to have reached 897,859 in 2009....
in the Ouest
Ouest Department
Ouest is one of the ten departments of Haiti. It is the jurisdictional seat of the national capital, the city of Port-au-Prince. It has an area of and a population of 3,093,698 . It borders the Dominican Republic to the east.It is the second largest department in Haiti after the Artibonite...
department
Departments of Haiti
The Communes of Haiti are the third-level divisions of Haiti. The 10 departments have 42 arrondissements which are divided into 140 communes.-Artibonite Department:*Dessalines Arrondissement**Desdunes**Dessalines**Grande Saline...
. Its eastern side is part of the border between Haiti and the Dominican Republic; the Dominican
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
city of Jimaní
Jimaní
Jimaní is the capital and the second largest city of the Independencia Province of the Dominican Republic. It serves as one of the two main thoroughfares to Haiti , with a duty free open air marketplace operating on the border with the Haitian town of Malpasse...
is at less than 1 km from the southeast end of the lake.
The lake itself is part of a chain of nearby saline lakes that lie in the Hispaniolan rift valley
Rift valley
A rift valley is a linear-shaped lowland between highlands or mountain ranges created by the action of a geologic rift or fault. This action is manifest as crustal extension, a spreading apart of the surface which is subsequently further deepened by the forces of erosion...
, (known as the Cul-de-Sac Depression in Haiti and the Hoya de Enriquillo in the Dominican Republic). Because the region was a former marine strait
Strait
A strait or straits is a narrow, typically navigable channel of water that connects two larger, navigable bodies of water. It most commonly refers to a channel of water that lies between two land masses, but it may also refer to a navigable channel through a body of water that is otherwise not...
, several areas of the rift valley are below sea level. While the lake created in a depression is 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) long and 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) wide, however, during heavy rainfall years it merges with another lake to its east known as the Enriquillo or Xaragua in the Dominican Republic, which is 27 kilometres (16.8 mi) long, 8 kilometres (5 mi) wide and fairly deep; the two together would have a water spread stretching to 60 kilometres (37.3 mi) length, at an elevation of 300 metres (984.3 ft), larger than the Lake Geneva. It is 25 kilometres (15.5 mi) away from the sea and Haitians call it the 'Etang Sale'.
Étang Saumâtre is landlocked as it has no surface outlet. It is fed by springs emanating from calcareous rocks. The western part of the lake has slightly saline water while the eastern part has fresh water.
The lake has a length, from northwest to southeast, of 22 kilometres (13.7 mi); its maximum width is 12 kilometres (7.5 mi). The total area is 170 square kilometre. The lake water has an elevation of 15 metres (49.2 ft) with maximum water depth being 30 metres (98.4 ft). A sandy shore, shallow lagoons and mudflats form the eastern shore line, while the western shores have small fresh water springs and marshes. The eastern shore is state-owned, but parts of the western side of the lake are privately owned. Salinity of the lake water is now reported as 15‰ (parts per thousand). Lake water fluctuations are minimal, at about 50 centimetres (19.7 in), except during the drought period, when the water level could go down by 2 metres (6.6 ft). Conversely, the water level rises about 2 metres (6.6 ft) above the average during heavy rainfall years. However, it was once inferred that Azuéi’s level in Haiti and the Enriquillo lake level in the adjoining Dominican Republic had registered a drop, since Columbus
Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus was an explorer, colonizer, and navigator, born in the Republic of Genoa, in northwestern Italy. Under the auspices of the Catholic Monarchs of Spain, he completed four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean that led to general European awareness of the American continents in the...
had visited the area more than 500 years ago. The present assessment is that the level of the lake has been rising in recent years, forcing Haitians who live in plantation residential areas ("bateyes") around the edge of the lake to seek higher ground.
Another inference drawn by a comparison between the two lakes – Azuéi and Enriquillo – which are in the same area and have the same origin (and which also become one water body during years of high rainfall) is that though they are considered "twins," they are two dissimilar bodies of water. Azuéi has a stable shore line, its waters are azure blue in colour, salinity level is low (11‰) and its surface area is relatively stable. However, Enriquillo’s water looks white – greyish in colour, its salinity levels are very high (they have risen from 36‰ to 110‰) and current water surface area (160 square kilometre compares to 280 square kilometre in 1968. The climatic conditions for both lakes are similar (low rainfall in the range of 500–1000 mm (19.7–39.4 in)), within similar geological setting.
Azuéi's salinity
Salinity
Salinity is the saltiness or dissolved salt content of a body of water. It is a general term used to describe the levels of different salts such as sodium chloride, magnesium and calcium sulfates, and bicarbonates...
is about one fifth (1/5) the salinity of sea water. A few small rivers flow into the lake.
Fauna and flora
The lake and its surrounding land are habitat for flora and fauna of several endemic species, including invertebrates, fishes and reptiles. This endemism is also common to the twin lakes, due to proximity and common history.Fauna
Waterfowl
Waterfowl are certain wildfowl of the order Anseriformes, especially members of the family Anatidae, which includes ducks, geese, and swans....
(including flamingo
Flamingo
Flamingos or flamingoes are gregarious wading birds in the genus Phoenicopterus , the only genus in the family Phoenicopteridae...
s), as well as American crocodile
American Crocodile
The American crocodile is a species of crocodilian found in the Neotropics. It is the most widespread of the four extant species of crocodiles from the Americas. Populations occur from the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of southern Mexico to South America as far as Peru and Venezuela. It also lives...
s; fresh water species of turtle
Turtle
Turtles are reptiles of the order Testudines , characterised by a special bony or cartilaginous shell developed from their ribs that acts as a shield...
, including Painted turtle
Painted Turtle
The painted turtle is the most widespread native turtle of North America. It lives in slow-moving fresh waters, from southern Canada to Louisiana and northern Mexico, and from the Atlantic to the Pacific. The turtle is the only species of the genus Chrysemys, which is part of the pond turtle...
, and Rhinoceros Iguana
Rhinoceros Iguana
The Rhinoceros Iguana is a threatened species of lizard in the family Iguanidae that is primarily found on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, shared by the Republic of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. They vary in length from 61 to 137 cm and skin colors range from a steely gray to a dark green...
. Some fishes, such as tilapia
Tilapia
Tilapia , is the common name for nearly a hundred species of cichlid fish from the tilapiine cichlid tribe. Tilapia inhabit a variety of fresh water habitats, including shallow streams, ponds, rivers and lakes. Historically, they have been of major importance in artisan fishing in Africa and the...
, are also found. Its recognized importance is as a breeding, passage and wintering area for numerous bird species: as many as 300–400 breeding pairs of wading birds in the Ciconiiformes
Ciconiiformes
Traditionally, the order Ciconiiformes has included a variety of large, long-legged wading birds with large bills: storks, herons, egrets, ibises, spoonbills, and several others. Ciconiiformes are known from the Late Eocene...
can be found in the eastern zone of the lagoon. Important avian raptor species of the lake include the osprey, Pandion haliaetus.
American crocodiles
American crocodiles, Crocodylus acutus, are found in this land-locked, brackish lake in large numbers, and have instilled fear among the local community. It is one factor responsible for the poor development of the lake as an ecotourism project. Extensive studies have been reported on this species of American crocodile, as opposed to the Central American Crocodylus moreletii and the South American Crocodylus intermedius.
Crocodylus acutus generally achieve a length of 4 metres (13.1 ft), though 6.25 metres (20.5 ft) long or 7 metres (23 ft) long specimens have been reported in the Étang Saumâtre. The lake is known for the high concentration of crocodiles at 9.6/km in certain zones, with average density of 6.3/km for all crocodile size classes. The density varies in its habitat zones, over a distance of 1 kilometre (0.621372736649807 mi) and 1.5 kilometre (0.93205910497471 mi) length from the shore line. In the rocky shores, the density was reported to be 0.2/km. However, from 1 kilometre (0.621372736649807 mi) from the shore line called the conocarpus
Conocarpus
Conocarpus is a genus of two species of flowering plants in the family Combretaceae, native to tropical regions of the world. One of the species is a widespread mangrove species, the other is restricted to a small area around the southern Red Sea coasts, where it grows alongside seasonal...
fringe, the density was recorded as 14.5/km. They grow in size up to the age of 2 years when their size is in the range of 0.9–1.8 m (3–5.9 ft). They are found in shallow water zones also and feed on Cichlid
Cichlid
Cichlids are fishes from the family Cichlidae in the order Perciformes. Cichlids are members of a group known as the Labroidei along with the wrasses , damselfish , and surfperches . This family is both large and diverse. At least 1,300 species have been scientifically described, making it one of...
s (Cichlasoma
Cichlasoma
Cichlasoma is a genus of fish in the cichlid family.The genus was previously very large, including cichlids from Texas, North America, through all of Central America to parts of South America....
hatiensis). They remain mostly at the bottom of the lake and during bird nesting season they are found around a heron rookery to catch falling eggs of birds. Their foraging techniques vary from an active to a passive mode and they forage on non aquatic invertebrates and also odonate larvae
Larvae
In Roman mythology, lemures were shades or spirits of the restless or malignant dead, and are probably cognate with an extended sense of larvae as disturbing or frightening...
. Birds and fish (cichilide) are the common items of their diet. Adults also eat domestic animals such as dogs and goats, and turtles. They nest in a 6.6 kilometres (4.1 mi) stretch within a range of 7–47 m (23–154.2 ft) from the shoreline, of the uninhabited eastern lake shore, near charcoal making sites and in coralliferous limestone
Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
out crops.
Aqua fauna
Aqua fauna of the lake consists of "small Poeciliidae
Poeciliidae
Poeciliidae is a family of fresh-water fish which are live-bearing aquarium fish . They belong to the order Cyprinodontiformes, tooth-carps, and include well-known aquarium fish such as the guppy, molly, platy, and swordtail...
(Gambusia dominicensis Regan, Limia melanonotata Nich & May, L. nigrofasciata Reg.) and Cichlidae (Cichlosoma haitiensis)". In the past, 17,000 mirror carp
Mirror carp
Mirror carp are a type of fish, commonly found in the United Kingdom and Europe. The name "Mirror Carp" originates from their scales' resemblance to mirrors. They can grow in excess of 60lb - the last few British record fish have all been mirror carp....
fingerlings
Fingerlings
-External links:*...
and 50,000 Tilapia mossambica fingerlings (a figure of 6,000 is also mentioned) were reportedly stocked in the lake. Fish productivity figures of the lake are not available. However, the actual catches are reported to be small, as fishing is done only on a small scale. Boats do not ply the lagoon; fishing methods are primitive and no nets are used. Ducks are hunted for food as well.
Flora
The lake is in the region of dry subtropical forest and hence the vegetationVegetation
Vegetation is a general term for the plant life of a region; it refers to the ground cover provided by plants. It is a general term, without specific reference to particular taxa, life forms, structure, spatial extent, or any other specific botanical or geographic characteristics. It is broader...
around the lake is sparse, with cacti
Cactus
A cactus is a member of the plant family Cactaceae. Their distinctive appearance is a result of adaptations to conserve water in dry and/or hot environments. In most species, the stem has evolved to become photosynthetic and succulent, while the leaves have evolved into spines...
and scrub-type shrub
Shrub
A shrub or bush is distinguished from a tree by its multiple stems and shorter height, usually under 5–6 m tall. A large number of plants may become either shrubs or trees, depending on the growing conditions they experience...
s. Typical vegetation consists of dry-forest plants endemic to the island of Hispaniola
Hispaniola
Hispaniola is a major island in the Caribbean, containing the two sovereign states of the Dominican Republic and Haiti. The island is located between the islands of Cuba to the west and Puerto Rico to the east, within the hurricane belt...
. They include trees, shrubs and cacti: caguey (Neoabbottia paniculata), melon espinoso (Melocactus lemairei), palo blanco (Croton poitaei), pitahaya (Harrisia nashii) and oreganillo (Lantana cifferiana).
The lagoon itself has several species of algae
Algae
Algae are a large and diverse group of simple, typically autotrophic organisms, ranging from unicellular to multicellular forms, such as the giant kelps that grow to 65 meters in length. They are photosynthetic like plants, and "simple" because their tissues are not organized into the many...
. In the fringes of the lake, Conocarpus erectus are reported and Typha domingensis
Typha domingensis
Typha domingensis Pers., also known as Southern Cattail or Cumbungi, is a perennial herbaceous plant of genus Typha.It is found throughout temperate and tropical regions worldwide...
are seen in the marshy region and fresh water streams and canals that have inlet into the lake. The lake has halophytic algae laid out as mattresses growing on its lake bed. Buttonwood
Conocarpus
Conocarpus is a genus of two species of flowering plants in the family Combretaceae, native to tropical regions of the world. One of the species is a widespread mangrove species, the other is restricted to a small area around the southern Red Sea coasts, where it grows alongside seasonal...
mangroves (Conocorpus erectus) trees have large growth in the periphery of the lake. These are felled extensively to make charcoal
Charcoal
Charcoal is the dark grey residue consisting of carbon, and any remaining ash, obtained by removing water and other volatile constituents from animal and vegetation substances. Charcoal is usually produced by slow pyrolysis, the heating of wood or other substances in the absence of oxygen...
.
Threats to the lake
Even though deforestation and soil erosion are occurring in the catchment of Lake Azuéi, the lake water level has remained relatively stable. However, increased levels of eutrophicationEutrophication
Eutrophication or more precisely hypertrophication, is the movement of a body of water′s trophic status in the direction of increasing plant biomass, by the addition of artificial or natural substances, such as nitrates and phosphates, through fertilizers or sewage, to an aquatic system...
in the form of increased growth of algae
Algae
Algae are a large and diverse group of simple, typically autotrophic organisms, ranging from unicellular to multicellular forms, such as the giant kelps that grow to 65 meters in length. They are photosynthetic like plants, and "simple" because their tissues are not organized into the many...
have been noted due to urban growth in Fonds Parisien. Solid waste is also creating problem for the lake, as during heavy afternoon winds, plastics fly into the lake. And there is no waste management programme either in the vicinity of the lake.
Conservation measures
Haiti and the Dominican RepublicDominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
and many international agencies are aware of the status of the two water bodies and the catchments drained by them. While Lago Enriquillo in the Dominican Republic has become the first Dominican Ramsar Site and is also a national park since 1996, its twin lake, the Etang Saumâtre has only been studied and is yet to receive the constructive attention for conservation of its American crocodiles and to promote ecotourism in general. However, a transboundary environmental program covering the watershed of the two lakes has been identified by the two governments to jointly initiate measures to improve the condition of the lakes and their respective catchments. This team, with professionals drawn from both countries, and with financial support from the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
, could ensure that steps are taken to “create wise use practices for both lakes and their corresponding watersheds”.
Sources
- "Saumâtre, Étang." The Columbia Gazetteer of North America. Columbia University Press: 2000. http://www.bartleby.com/69/7/S07107.html