Protected Areas of Ecuador

Created in 1959 on Galapagos Island, It was the first national park in the country and is considered one of the best preserved volcanic archipelagos in the world. 96.7% of the surface of the archipelago is part of the protected area while the remaining 3.3% is used by the human settlements located in four islands: Floreana, Isabela, San Cristóbal and Santa Cruz.

The park houses a number of unique endemismsanimals like vegetables, which have evolved over time in isolation. Among its most representative species are giant turtles (for example, Chelonoidis Niger) and the pinzones (Geospiza) that Charles Darwin studied on his journey at the Beagle. Galapagos Island has two protected areas: on the one hand, with the Galapagos National Park, and on the other with the Galapagos Marine Reserve.

Founded in 1979 and with about 10,200 km² of tropical wet forest, Yasuni National Park forms the protected continental area of ​​Ecuador. It is located in the Ecuadorian Amazon region, covering the provinces of Pastaza and Orellana, between the Napo River and Curaray in the heart of the Amazon basin.

Its climate is characterized by presenting high rainfall, temperatures and humidity, which makes it a fundamental site for global conservation due to its probability of Maintain wet jungle conditions Unlike the east of the Amazon, where the drought planned because of climate change will intensify.

According to investigations, this park together with its adjacent areas constitute one of the most biodiverse sites in the world With 150 species of amphibians, 121 reptiles, 598 birds, 169 confirmed species of mammals, and 2,113 plant species.

The Cayambe-Coca National Park, established in 1970, extends through a vast territory of 4,030 km². Is characterized by its Variety of ecosystems ranging from leafy cloudy forests to Andean moors, covering a wide range of altitudes that includes the imposing Cayambe volcano. Located at the crossroads of the provinces of Pichincha, Napo, Sucumbíos, and Imbabura, the park is a biodiversity sanctuary that houses an innumerable amount of endemic and endangered species.

In addition to its ecological importance, it is a site of Hydrological valuesince it includes numerous rivers and lagoons that supply fresh water to the region. This area is not only crucial for the conservation of species and ecosystems, but also plays a vital role in scientific research, ecotourism and environmental education.

Declared in 1983 as a natural heritage of humanity by UNESCO, the Sangay National Park, is a protected area that covers 327 lagoonshighlighting Atillo, Ozogoche and Culebrillas; Three volcanoes: Sangay, Tungurahua (both assets) and Altar; and Large Extensions of Montano Forest.

There we can find endangered species such as mountain tapir (Tapirus click), the Andean bear (Tremarctos ornatus) and the Andean Condor (Vultur Gryphus). The park provides numerous environmental servicesincluding the protection of important water resources in 11 basins that supply water to hydroelectric projects and serve for human consumption in several populations.

This park is famous for housing Cotopaxi volcanoan active volcano that presents an altitude of 5,897 meters above sea level. Established in 1975 and extending by More than 33,000 hectaresis located at a short distance south of Quito. The park protects several ecosystems, from Andean moors to humid mountain forests and despite the altitude, it houses a great biodiversity.

Cotopaxi National Park plays a crucial role in water conservation, protecting the hydrographic, vital basins for local communities. In addition, it is an important site for scientific research and offers environmental education programs aimed at sensitize visitors They arrive in the park.

Located in the north of the Amazon region of Ecuador, within the province of Sucumbíos, the Limoncocha Abarca Biological Reserve 4,613 hectares of wetlands which were declared as a Ramsar site by UNESCO in 1998. The Limoncocha lagoon, the Black Lagoon and the Jivino and Capucuy rivers stand out. To the north, humid tropical forests extend and to the south flood forests of lacustrine palms and herbazals.

292 species of amphibians, 92 reptiles, 53 mammals and 317 species of birds have been recorded, with at least two in danger of extinction such as the Ciénaga vulture (Farm Cornuta) and the Black crab hawk (Buteogallus anthracinus).

You may be interested in this article about wetlands: what are, types and characteristics.

The Churute Manglar Ecological Reserve is a strict nature reserve located in the estuary that the Guayas River forms by leading to the Gulf of Guayaquil. It has been declared as Ramsar site in 1954 and has a Extension of 50,068 hectareswhose dominant ecosystem is mangrove (there you can find five of the seven known mangrove species).

In addition, it includes a sample of the estuarine-papal ecosystems, tropical dry forest patches, and remnants of the region’s lective system, whose main water body is the churute lagoon. Due to the various ecosystems that houses this protected area there is a Great wealth of flora and fauna. Did you know that they have been identified 26 species of batsmany of them endemic and considered “rare”?

The Galapagos Marine Reserve, established in 1998, is a strict nature reserve and one of the larger protected marine areas and biologically diverse in the world, covering more than 198,000 km² around the archipelago.

This oceanic sanctuary is vital for the conservation of marine speciesincluding sharks, sea turtles and water birds such as the unique galapagos penguin (Spheniscus mendendulus). The reserve is a key site for scientific research and plays a fundamental role in the local economy, supporting ecotourism and sustainable fishing.

The Cuyabeno Fauna Production Reserve, is according to the IUCN categories, a protected area of ​​managed resources, located in the province of Sucumbíos, in the northeast of the Amazon of Ecuador. It covers areas of tropical wet forest and together with Yasuni National Park, it is One of the most biodiverse sites in the world.

In addition to housing a large number of species such as caimanes, anacondas, turtles, pecaríes, manatees and jaguars, it is rare specieslike river pink dolphin (INIA GEOFFRENSIS) or the Hoatzin (OPISTHOCOMUS HOAZIN).

Categorized as Habitat/Species Management Area by IUCN, the private protected area of ​​Bellavista is located in the province of Pichincha and is part of the Biosphere reserve of Chocó Andino and retain its native forests.

In the heart of a mountainous ecosystem with steep slopes, Bellavista It rises to 2,200 meters above sea level. These types of protected areas are controlled to ensure their maintenance, conservation and restoration of particular species and habitats.

Here are others 15 Protected Areas of Ecuador:

• Machalilla National Park
• Llanganates National Park
• Podocarpus National Park
• Cotacachi National Park -Cayapas
• Antisana National Park
• Colonso-Chalupas Biological Reserve
• El Cóndor Biological Reserve
• El Quimi Biological Reserve
• Ecological reserve Arenillas
• Ecological Reserve Manglares Cayapas-Mataje
• Mache-Chindul Ecological Reserve
• Santa Elena Puntilla Fauna Production Reserve
• Chimborazo Fauna Production Reserve
• Pasochoa Wildlife Refuge
• Wildlife Refuge Manglares el Morro

Now that you know some of the protected areas of Ecuador, do not miss these articles on the natural heritage of Ecuador and the flora and fauna of Ecuador.

If you want to read more articles similar to Protected Areas of Ecuadorwe recommend that you enter our category of other environment.