Wild Horizons 2006: Top 10 Adventure Nations

By the Adventure Staff – National Geographic
9. Ecuador: The Amazon has long attracted attention, but now Ecuador's dazzling coastline is turning heads.

Ecuador Nature

Ecosystems

The ecosystems which exist in Ecuador go from sea level to an altitude of around 6400 metres. The total area of Ecuador is 14,583,227 hectares, including the highlands, the coast and the Amazon region.

In Ecuador there are 46 ecosystems which are made up of paramo, woods, valleys and the Pacific Ocean and are located in different climate zones. One of Ecuador's ecosystems, which is richest in biodiversity, is the tropical rain forest. In Ecuador's tropical rain forest there are large trees of different and numerous species, an abundance of plants, flowers, mammals, reptiles, birds, invertebrates, fish and amphibians.

Biodiversity

Ecuador boasts approximately 1,640 species of birds, 500 of which are found in the Mindo-Nambillo Protected Forest to the northwest of Quito. In addition, Ecuador is home to 4,500 species of butterflies, 345 species of reptiles, 358 species of amphibians, and 258 species of mammals, among others.

With so much wildlife in such a small space, it’s no surprise that Ecuador is one of the planet’s top 17 nations with respect to biodiversity.

Natural Parks and Reserves

In Ecuador there are 10 national parks, 14 natural reserves, a wild life refuge and a recreation area which are considered a natural heritage and are protected by the State.

The national parks, natural reserves, wild life refuge and the recreation areas cover an area of around 4,669,871 hectares of land and 14,110,000 of water, divided into four regions. The biodiversity is the main wealth of these areas, although there are also a number of communities in the urban sector as well as indigenous and country people in the rural areas.

information credits:Ministry of Tourism Ecuador