Ecuador Travel

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Overview

The provinces of Pichincha, Cotopaxi, Tungurahua, Chimborazo and Bolviar boast an expansive and interesting array of wildlife. The region has a unique high altitude that creates a zone that only specific types of species can thrive in.

The main areas for wildlife spotting are the national parks and reserves, Starting in Pichincha, there are the Mojanda lakes, the Pululahua Botanical Reserve, the Pichincha Volcano Recreation Area, Cayambe Coca National Park, Antisana Volcano Reserve, Mindo Nambillo cloudforest biological reserve, Pasochoa Biological reserve, Atacazo, the Illinizas reserve and the area of Corazon. In these areas it is possible to see the Andean Condor and Puma (Andean lion). All of these natural reserves and parks are located no more than 1 hour and 30 minutes away from Quito.

Moving south, in the Cotopaxi province it is possible to find rare paramo flora and fauna in the Cotopaxi National Park. In the Llanganates National Park, the legend goes that the Incas hid treasures. Hundreds of expeditions have tried to find it without any success, However, this impressive and rainy reserve is the ideal place to see a lot of wildlife, perhaps the real treasure of the area. Moving further south, the visitor can find the Chimborazo Fauna Production Reserve where llamas and other animals can be viewed.

Flora

The flora of the central Andes mostly consists of the rocky grasslands at high-altitudes known as “paramo.” Paramo is the ecosystem between 3000 and 5000 meters that includes peat moss and wetlands. Although the central Andes plant life is not as colorful as Ecuador’s vibrant Amazon lowlands, it is very interesting and intricate in its own respect.

Most of the Central Andes flora can be found within the expansive Cotopaxi National Park, Cayambe Coca, Chimborazo, Pasochoa, Illiniza and Antisana. The diverse tree and shrub species of the lower altitude zones of the park include pumamaqui, pine, capuli, pucunero, valeriana, sheeps ears, cacho de venado and romerillo. The average altitude zones boast collections of the signature Andean flowers and lichens. The highest zones of Andean National Parks feature simple plants like moss and lichens. These basic plant species share the ground with outcrops of rock and gravel. Vegetation disappears above 5000 meters as this area has permanent snow coverage.

The most interesting thing about the wildlife is the extraordinary transition from Highlands paramo over 4000 meters down to the Coast. The landscape changes from paramo to native forest to farmed Andean valleys with crops, native bushes, pine forests, eucalyptus and other trees through to cloud forests such as those found in the areas of Mindo, Papallacta and El Corazón (among others). The change of air temperature creates unique and interesting ecosystems where the mixing of different altitudes and flora presents ideal places to see wildlife.

More about "Central Andes Fauna & Flora"