Table 2.
Identifiable threats to ecosystems and biodiversity. The ESIA reports lowland rainforest, swamps, and middle and Caribbean slope rivers as those that would experience the most major impacts.
| Ecosystem | Threats | Area/ River Length Directly Affected | Potential Area/Length Indirectly Affected | Key Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lowland Rain Forest | Habitat loss, fragmentation | 524 ha Middle 18,800 ha Caribbean | 62,780 ha Caribbean | Jaguar, Baird's Tapir, Great Green Macaw, Rosewood (Dalberghia retusa), 17 Endangered species |
| Tropical Dry Forest and Scrub | Habitat loss, fragmentation | 2232 ha Pacific | 5346 ha Pacific | Puma, Royal Cedar (Cedrella odorata) |
| Mangrove | Habitat loss, fragmentation | 48 ha Brito | Waterbirds | |
| Freshwater Wetland including San Miguelito RAMSAR Site | Habitat Loss, Changes in Hydrology | 140 ha Middle 438 ha Caribbean | Jabiru, Neotropical Migrant Birds | |
| Swamp | Habitat loss, fragmentation, complete removal | 664 ha | Raphia taedigera, Baird's Tapir, Jaguar | |
| Lake Nicaragua – Freshwater Lake | Suspension of sediments, spills, invasive species | 196 km2 | 7954 km2 | Cichlids, Aquatic Invertebrates, Plankton, Bacterial Communities |
| Rivers | Changes in hydrology, spills, invasive species, flooding | 57.5 km Pacific 102.5 km Middle 968.5 km Caribbean | Cichlids, Poeciliids in Punta Gorda River drainage | |
| Beach | Lighted development, | Green Sea Turtles | ||
| Coral Reef | Sedimentation, chemical pollution | Corals, Many Fish Species |
Note: The 62,780-ha figure represents the loss of agricultural land and grassland in the canal path east of Lake Nicaragua, which would cause the displacement of ranchers and farmers. The historical pattern of agricultural colonists has been to move eastward into rainforest areas (Stevens et al. 2011). The majority of this potential impact would occur in the Indio Maiz, Cerro Silva, and Punta Gorda protected areas. The 5346 ha are for agricultural lands lost in the canal's western sector, resulting in the displacement of farmers and ranchers. Of the 94,000 hectares (ha) of terrestrial habitat loss, 65,000 ha of loss would occur within protected areas. Sources: ERM 2015, tables 7.3-3, 7.3-7, 7.3-9, 7.4-4, 7.4-10, and 7.4-14.