The flora and fauna of the Ecuadorian mountains is a reflection of the mountainous territory characteristic of this area. The main plants include orchids and bromeliads, and the most common animals are the condor, the puma and the Andean weasel.
The Republic of Ecuador is a South American country that borders Colombia, Peru and the Pacific Ocean. It is located on the earth's equatorial line, so its extension occupies both hemispheres. Consequently, its latitudinal position gives it a varied climate, although mostly tropical.
This country divides its extension into four large geographical regions: the coast or coast, the sierra or inter-Andean, the eastern or Amazon region and the insular region or Galapagos.
Before explaining the characteristics of the flora and fauna of the Ecuadorian sierra, it is important to know other particularities of the area that influence the set of plants and animals typical of the region.
Sierra or inter-Andean region of Ecuador
This region crosses the entire extension of Ecuadorian territory from north to south, with at least 660 kilometers long and 120 kilometers wide, and connecting it with its neighboring countries.
It has an average height of 4,000 meters, being a mountainous territory according to the area of which it is part: the Andes mountain range.
This area works as a climatic meeting point in which the tropical and mountainous climates merge, so it is quite common to find volcanoes, mountains and snowfalls throughout its territory. In this sense, this region is defined as a wasteland and is considered one of the most humid and coldest in the country.
Among the most important ecological reserves in the Interandina region is El Ángel, located in the heart of the Carchi province, which stands out for hosting the most representative set of plants and animals in the region. This protected area will be taken as a point of reference to learn more about the flora and fauna of the area.
About its flora
The plant that dominates the flora of the area is the frailejón, since the climate of the páramo of the Sierra de Ecuador is cold and humid, and its flora must adapt to that habitat.
In the same way, it is also possible to find other plants throughout this mountainous area; such is the case of the following:
- Orchids
- Bromeliads
- Asteraceae
- Poaceae
- Araliaceae
- Scrofulariaceae
- Rosaceae
About its fauna
Due to the latitudinal location and the humid and cold climate of the Sierra region, its fauna is composed of animals that can easily migrate to other regions, or can stay warm within the region.
Some of the species that can be found in the Ecuadorian highlands are:
- Andean condor
- Mosguerito
- Pijuí motado
- Zamarrito muslinegro
- Cougar
- Wasteland wolf
- White-fronted cappuccino
- Didactic sloth
- Moor deer
- Collared peccary
- Andean rabbit
- American badger
- Andean weasel
References
- Carlos Boada. (2008). Composition and diversity of flora and fauna in four localities in the province of Carchi. A report of the rapid ecological assessments. Quito, Ecuador: EcoCiencia and GPC. Quito. Recovered from suia.ambiente.gob.ec
- Erwin Patzelt. (nineteen ninety six). Flora of Ecuador. Quito, Ecuador: Imprefepp. Recovered from academia.edu
- Francis Baquero. (2004). The vegetation of the Andes of Ecuador. Quito, Ecuador: CESLA. Recovered from flacsoandes.edu.ec
- Herbarium QCA & Herbarium AAU. (2008). Encyclopedia of Useful Plants of Ecuador. Quito, Ecuador: Quito & Aarhus. Recovered from puce.edu.ec
- (2017). El Ángel Ecological Reserve. Recovered from es.wikipedia.org