This natural reserve was founded in 1999 by Cocibolca Foundation, a group of local investors concerned about the conservation of nature environments helped by the British government, built a Biological Station where research and studies of cloud forest species have taken place as well as different trails. And as an initiative, they hired and trained young people who live in the surrounding areas of the Mombacho volcano, thus, giving them the chance for learning how to protect their natural neighborhood and getting a very interesting job as Park Rangers. In addition, the Mombacho Volcano Natural Reserve is a must-visit place highly recommended by Lonely Planet and Moon Guide Book and tourists from all around the world.

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Mombacho Volcano is an evergreen tropical cloud forest characterized by a high incidence of low-level cloud cover, usually keeps the development of an abundance of vascular epiphytes and a big variety of orchids. It is located 10 km away from Granada City. It has 50 species of mammals, 174 species of birds, 30 of reptiles and 750 species of flora. Temperature varies in between 15 º C and 23 º C.

It has some endemic specie of flora and fauna: Salamander (Bolitoglossa mombachoensis) Orchid (Maxillaria mombachoensis). Butterfly (Napeogenes tolossa mombachoensis). The last eruption of this volcano was in 1570 causing the avalanche of the northeast side of the crater and the formation of the 365 small volcanic island, well known as Isletas on Lake Nicaragua and the destruction of a indigenous settlement where 400 people died. It is a stratovolcano with 1345 meters (4,412 feet) above sea level. It has four craters. There are fumaroles, steam or sulfur gases coming out of the depth of the earth like a sauna room. At its bottom, there is a thermal water spring where turtles swim in and out.

On top, there is a seismometer measuring and recording the size and force of ground motions, there is a meteorological station monitoring the weather forecast and a group of volcanologists coming up periodically to observe the volcano behavior.

From the bottom to top, there are five different type of ecosystem well defined:

• Deciduous Tropical Dry Forest. (40 to 300 mt above sea level)

• Semi-Deciduous, Pre-Mountain Tropical Forest. (300 to 800 mt above sea level)

• Tropical Cloud Forest (800 to 1345 mt above sea level)

• Dwarf Forest (1000 to 1345 mt above sea level)

• Shade Grown Coffee (240 to 850 mt above sea level)