The Andean Cloud forest Habitat
A Biodiversity Refuge
for Climate Change
High Precipitation and Steep Elevational Gradients Provide Diverse Habitats along the Slopes of the Andes as Rainfall and Temperature Shift from Climate Change
The Andean Cloud forest Habitat
a Restricted Band along
the Slopes of the Andes
The Andean cloud forest extends from Venezuela to Northern Argentina and is partially protected by national parks, but gaps exist. Large mammals such as the Andean White-lipped mountain tapir, Andean spectacled bear, giant anteater, margay, olinguito and high elevation monkeys depend on habitat continuity. Conserving wildlife corridors for these threatened species is the primary objective of the Foundation.
The cloud forest
Critical Biodiversity Bank
The Andes are 3% of the landmass of South America, but contain 63% of the endemic mammals in the continent.
Vital Ecosystem Services
The unique mountain landscapes of the Andean cloud forests get up to 20 feet of rain per year providing essential water to cities and towns.
Endangered Ecosystem
We are losing 1% of Andean cloud forests every year due to road building, deforestation, agricultural expansion, hydroelectric projects, mining and urban development.
Alto Coca Reserve
in the Ecuadorian Andes
The Alto Coca Reserve is a Biodiversity Corridor Connecting the Cayambe-Coca and Sumaco Napo-Galeras National Parks in the Eastern Foothills of the Ecuadorian Andes
The Alto Coca Reserve is ideally located to connect a continuous swath of cloud forest between Cayambe-Coca and Sumaco Napo-Galleras National Parks
The Alto Coca Foundation is currently purchasing land to expand the 3,100-acre core of Alto Coca Reserve to 6,000 acres. Mammals, such as the Andean spectacled bear, Andean mountain tapir, margay, puma, giant anteater, bush dog, high elevation monkeys, tayras and olinguitos need to be able to move between the parks. The Alto Coca Reserve provides a habitat corridor to facilitate these journeys. Lowland rainforest birds like parrots, macaws and the harpy eagle as well as montane birds like tanagers can fly to food sources along the elevational gradient between 4,000 to 7,000 feet above sea level. With more land protected, these animals have a better chance of accessing habitat in both national parks, and can travel to various elevations, depending on changes in climate.
Emblematic Cloud Forest of the Alto Coca Reserve
The Alto Coca Reserve conserves a biodiverse corridor between two national parks at the headwaters of the Ecuadorian Amazon.
Key Missions
Purchase and Manage Andean Cloudforest
The Alto Coca Reserve is expanding protection of high diversity cloud forest, which is managed by the Ecuadorian Alto Coca Foundation.
Supports Biodiversity Research
The Alto Coca Reserve hosts scientists to conduct research on the flora and fauna at the reserve.
Biodiversity and Adventure Education
The Alto Coca Reserve offers opportunities for high school and college students to learn about biodiversity through hands-on field research techniques taught by specialized biologists.
Endangered and Threatened
Wildlife at Alto Coca
Over 20 animal species listed as threatened or endangered reside at Alto Coca. The Alto Coca Reserve has not experienced significant hunting pressures or loss of forest, so vulnerable mammals that are lost in more impacted areas are still present and breeding.
Breeding Mammals
Tapirs and bears with offspring have been recorded on wildlife cams.
Vegetation for Birds
Birds feed on the seasonally fruiting trees and epiphytes.
Home for Frogs, Birds and Insects in Trees
The dense jungle, vines, ferns, mosses, orchids, bromeliads and lichen of the montane cloud forest are home to numerous animals and insects.
mobile
The Andean Cloud forest Habitat
A Biodiversity Refuge
for Climate Change
High Precipitation and Steep Elevational Gradients Provide Diverse Habitats along the Slopes of the Andes as Rainfall and Temperature Shift from Climate Change
The Andean Cloud forest Habitat
a Restricted Band along the Slopes of the Andes
The Andean cloud forest extends from Venezuela to Northern Argentina, partially protected by national parks, but gaps exist. Large mammals such as the Andean White-lipped mountain tapir, Andean spectacled bear, giant anteater, margay, olinguito and high elevation monkeys depend on habitat continuity. Conserving wildlife corridors for these threatened species is a primary objective of the Foundation.
The cloudforest
Critical Biodiversity Bank
The Andes are 3% of the landmass of South America, but contain 63% of the endemic mammals in the continent.
Vital Ecosystem Services
The unique mountain landscapes of the Andean cloud forests get up to 20 feet of rain per year providing essential water to cities and towns.
Endangered Ecosystem
We are losing 1% of Andean cloud forests every year due to road building, deforestation, agricultural expansion, hydroelectric projects, mining and urban development.
Alto Coca Reserve
in Ecuadorian Andes
The Alto Coca Reserve is a Biodiversity Corridor Connecting the Cayambe-Coca and Sumaco Napo-Galeras National Parks in the Eastern Foothills of the Ecuadorian Andes
The Alto Coca Reserve is ideally located to connect a continuous swath of cloud forest between Cayambe-Coca and Sumaco Napo-Galleras National Parks
The Alto Coca Foundation is currently purchasing land to expand the 3,100-acre core of Alto Coca Reserve to 6,000 acres. Mammals such as the Andean spectacled bear Andean mountain tapir, margay, puma, giant anteater, bush dog, high elevation monkeys, tayras and olinguitos need to be able to move between the parks. The Alto Coca Reserve provides a habitat corridor to facilitate these journeys. Lowland rainforest birds like parrots, macaws and the harpy eagle as well as montane birds such as tanagers can fly to food sources along the elevational gradient between 4,000 to 7,000 feet above sea level. With more land protected, these animals have a better chance of accessing habitat in both national parks and can travel to various elevations, depending on changes in climate.
Emblematic Cloud Forest of the Alto Coca Reserve
The Alto Coca Reserve conserves a biodiverse corridor between two national parks at the headwaters of the Ecuadorian Amazon.
Key Missions
Purchase and Manage Andean Cloudforest
The Alto Coca Reserve is expanding protection of high diversity cloud forest which is managed by the Ecuadorian Alto Coca Foundation.
Supports Biodiversity Research
The Alto Coca Reserve hosts scientists to conduct research on the flora and fauna at the reserve.
Biodiversity and Adventure Education
The Alto Coca Reserve offers opportunities for high school and college students to learn about biodiversity through hands-on field research techniques taught by specialized biologists.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife at Alto Coca
Over 20 animal species that are listed as threatened or endangered have been observed at Alto Coca. The Alto Coca Reserve has not experienced significant hunting pressures or loss of forest so vulnerable mammals that are lost in more impacted areas are still present and breeding.
Breeding Mammals
Tapirs and bears with offspring have been recorded on wildlife cams
Vegetation for Birds
Birds feed on the seasonally fruiting trees and epiphytes
Home for Frogs, Birds and Insects in Trees
The dense jungle, vines, ferns, mosses, orchids, bromeliads and lichen of the montane cloud forest are home to numerous animals and insects.