Laguna de Términos
The bridge is part of Mexican Federal Highway 180, which runs along Mexico's Gulf coast including down the length of Isla del Carmen.[9] The lagoon was designated as a federally protected area for flora and fauna in 1994 by the Mexican government because of the importance of the biological ecosystems provided by its estuaries.The Usumacinta distributaries bring higher freshwater and nutrient inflows to the western part of the lagoon, and the mangroves near the outlet of the Palizada are the largest and best developed, with some trees reaching over 30 meters in height.The Pantanos de Centla, a vast seasonally- or permanently flooded freshwater swamp forest, lies east and south of the mangroves.[12] Campeche and Tabasco hold wetlands consisting of mangrove zones, swamps, and lagoons serving as important habitats for aquatic reptiles such as crocodiles (American, Morelet's, brown caiman).[citation needed] On the surrounding barrier islands, beach ridges, and mangrove coastline there are several Late Postclassic Maya sites.Pemex has acknowledged that they must take into account the opinions of the protected area's management and other voices when planning projects so as to minimize negative environment impacts.
IUCN categoryCampecheCiudad del CarmenFlora and fauna protection areaNational Commission of Natural Protected AreasRamsar WetlandGulf of Mexicoriver basinMexicomangroveslagoonsestuariesBay of CampecheMexican stateCarmen MunicipalityPalizada MunicipalityIsla del CarmenCandelaria RiverChumpan RiverdistributariesUsumacinta RiverPalizada RiverSan Pedro y San Pablo RiverZacatal BridgeMexican Federal Highway 180seagrassprotected areaendemicthreatenedinsectmammalUsumacinta mangrovesPantanos de CentlaYucatán moist forestsyellow stingrayparturitionTabascoreptilescrocodilesAmericanMorelet'shawksbillgreen seaKemp's ridley sea turtlesMississippi FlywayfelinesjaguarocelotmargayprimatesGeoffroy's spider monkeycetaceansWest Indian manateeInstituto Via DelphiBottlenose dolphinsLate Postclassic MayaJuan de Grijalvabiodiversitynon-governmental organizationsRamsarDuke University