A lagoon is different from an ordinary lake because it is linked to the sea. Salt water mixes with fresh water from rivers, creating a special environment called a brackish habitat. Many creatures that cannot survive in either pure salt or pure fresh water thrive in this in-between zone. Lake Piso is full of these adaptable, fascinating species.
The mangrove trees around the lake are extraordinary plants. They grow right at the water's edge with their roots reaching into the water like fingers, creating a safe nursery where young fish can hide from bigger predators. Fishermen have worked these waters for centuries, using the patterns of the lagoon to know exactly where to cast their nets.
Enormous flocks of birds visit the lake - herons standing perfectly still in the shallows, pelicans diving for fish with a spectacular splash, and brightly coloured kingfishers darting between the mangrove branches. During migration season, birds that have flown all the way from Europe stop here to rest and feed before continuing their journey south.