The Espíritu Santo complex of islands is one of the 182 protected areas administered by the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP. Its surrounding waters are the most biologically diverse in the south of the Gulf of California and the over 48,000 hectare area has a considerable number of marine species, including a colony of sea lions, as well as perfectly preserved rocky reefs, which serve as food and shelter for various marine fauna organisms living in the Peninsula of Baja California. It is a stopover with international relevance for hammerhead sharks and four species of turtles on their migratory route.
This area is part of a Marine Priority Region recognized by the National Commission for the Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity – CONABIO and named by the Coalition for Sustainability of the Gulf of California (2004) as one of the most important marine areas in Mexico. Espíritu Santo is part of the 244 Islands & Protected Areas of The Gulf of California UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The islands of Espiritu Santo Insular Complex and the adjacent waters are within one of the great with highest biological diversity and productive sites in southern Gulf of California. This area contains unique ecosystems and vulnerable habitats. The area has a considerably high number of marine species, including a sea lion rookery, as well as, perfectly preserved rocky reefs, which are feeding sites and refuge for various organisms representative of Baja. It is also a layover in the migration route of the hammerhead shark and four sea turtle species, which confers relevance at an International level.
Scientist community and conservationists have recognized nationally and internationally the importance of the area, including its biodiversity, ecosystems and habitats.
Major Site Values:
The area is part of a priority marine region recognized by CONABIO (Arriaga –Cabrera et al., 1998), and the Coalition for the sustainability of the Gulf of California catalogued it as one of the marine areas with the greatest biological importance in this region of Mexico. The presence of islands, islets, rocks and reefs in the archipelago, results in a heterogeneous congregation of habitats (mangroves, sandy bottoms, rocky reefs, wetlands, bays), which form the basis of biodiversity of the site and allow ecological process continuity that determine productivity and scenic beauty of the area.
EAGL statement:
Reviewer statement: