Biological Reserve in Ecuador Threatened by Development

One of the world's most biologically diverse areas, the Maquipucuna Reserve in Ecuador, is threatened by seemingly illegal development. The reserve, referred to as the “inland Galapagos” because of its impressive biodiversity, is home to 4% of bird species on the planet and at least 36 IUCN red-listed orchid species.

The cloud forest, which makes up almost 80% of the reserve's land area, is an ideal environment for epiphytes and hosts a diverse range of rare plant species.

Government officials intend to sell land within the reserve, ignoring what seems to be the Maquipucuna Foundation's property rights in the area - the foundation had already purchased the land 16 years ago from Banco del Pacifico. The Maquipucuna Foundation, formed in 1988 to protect the land in a sustainable manner with local communities, is asking for support in petitioning the Ecuadorian Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock to stop the sale of lands within the reserve.

Links:

• The Maquipucuna Foundation in English and Spanish (more information available in Spanish
• The Maquipucuna Newsletter with background on the reserve and the current legal battle
• The Nature Conservancy's Ecotourism Success Stories including the Maquipucuna Reserve and Foundation
• Catalogue of the Vascular Plants of Ecuador from the Missouri Botanical Garden

Posted by Eric La Fountaine at 6:21 PM on April 13, 2004

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