JARDÍN BOTÁNICO
San Miguel
de Allende
Guanajuato, México
charcodelingenio@gmail.com
WILDLIFE
Despite its proximity to the city of San Miguel de Allende, El Charco del Ingenio boasts a surprising variety of wildlife, encouraged through years of protection and conservation work to maintain the soil. The size of the reserve - some 100 hectares - as well as the varied topography and moisture conditions provide a diversified ecosystem, which is undergoing a process of healthy recovery.The area falls into three clearly distinct zones (see map):
The
canyon, a natural monument made up of sheer cliffs, pools and
caves, cut through by a seasonal watercourse and a permanent pool which
rises from its main spring, El Charco del Ingenio. This area constitutes
a microclimate that supports a wide range of spontaneous vegetation, including
cacti and succulents, climbers, tropical deciduous trees, and aquatic
plants. The fauna likewise is varied, particularly in species of birds,
reptiles and mammals that make their home in the canyon.
The wetlands, spreading out over the
banks and artificial islands of the Las Colonias reservoir, a permanent
body of water that forms the heart of the Botanical Gardens. In addition
to trees and shrubs growing on the banks, shoreline vegetation which varies
with the seasons, fish and aquatic invertebrates support more than twenty
species of resident and migratory birds. These can be observed from the
banks of the reservoir throughout most of the year.
The dry chaparral, which extends around the dam and high cliffs of the canyon covers the largest part of the Conservation Area, representing the typical landscape of the Mexican highlands. Most of the native flora is annual or deciduous, providing sharp contrast between the dry and rainy season, when the hills are covered with green and an abundance of multicolored flowers. Ancient mezquite and huizache trees rise over the grasses, underbrush and fat-stemmed cacti such as the native garambullo, which is shaped like a candelabrum. This chaparral is populated by a mammals and a great variety of birds and reptiles that can be seen throughout the year.
These three zones are open to visitors by way of a network of paths and walkways covering the entire Conservation Area of El Charco del Ingenio. Further details are available at the information center at the entrance to the Botanical Gardens.