Paramo in Guandera

:: Habitat and location

Guandera is in the midst of the last remaining extensive stretch of high altitude cloud forest, an area in which less than 4% of the original forests were left intact. This forest is found only on the inter-Andean slopes (in the valley between eastern and western cordilleras) and the Reserve draws its name from the large Guandera (Clusia flaviflora) which dominate this unusual and threatened forest.

This forest, between 3100 meters and 3600 meters, is unique on a world scale because of the remarkable biodiversity and immense trees found at such extreme altitudes. Norman Myers has recently classified the Andean Mountain forests as the world's first "conservation hotspot".

An initial botanical inventory by Walter Palacios and Galo Tip�z (1996), revealed over 60 tree species, several of which were previously unknown to science. Per area diversity exceeds 40 species per 1/10 hectare, a world record for altitudes over 3000 meters. Rare high altitude orchids abound and initial surveys suggest a strong likelihood that new orchids, previously unknown to the scientific community, will be described from Guandera. The distinctive Melastomataceae also exhibit a surprising diversity of forms, from small shrubs to full canopy trees. Biomass per hectare equals that of lowland Amazonian forest, again defying expectations and setting a world record for high altitude forest.

Wildlife at Guandera is also extremely diverse and abundant. Over 160 bird species have been identified by confirmed multiple sittings - following the same theme of a world record for altitudes over 3000 meters. Over 75% of the birds are Andean endemics with at least eight species that exhibit very restricted ranges in the northern Andes of Ecuador. Over 25 species are rare or endangered, most due to their restricted range or habitat in high altitude cloud forest or grassland. The recently discovered Chestnut Bellied Cotinga is known only from Guandera and nearby type-site of Cerro Mongus (Robbins et al., 1996). The extremely threatened Grey-breasted Mountain Toucan is abundant, along with a number of other important and endangered Andean endemics such as the Black-tight Puffleg Hummingbird, Crescent-Faced Antpitta and Masked Mountain Tanager.

A number of large mammals reside in the Reserve, among them the threatened Andean Spectacled Bear and the Northern Pudu Deer. Amphibians and reptiles, although not particularly diverse, are abundant and apparently quite important for conservation reasons. A previously unknown Eleutherodactylus frog has been studied within the Reserve and warns of the threat that forest fragmentation will hold even to small frog species.

:: Guandera Reserve Programs

Guandera's house

• Various activities associated with the development of a new reserve project such as, biological inventories and research assistance.
• The Center for the Conservation of Andean Plants. Experimental silviculture of Andean trees, seed and data collection, and reforestation.
• Environmental Education. Development and instruction of environmental activities for local school children and adults. Note: a good working use of Spanish is required to teach activities.
• Teaching English in local Schools. We require long term volunteers or interns to teach English to children and adults in the area.

:: Goals of the Guandera Reserve

• Conserve endangered forest habitats.
• Develop in situ populations of endangered plant species.
• Conduct basic and applied research on the reforestation ecology and conservation of Bilsa tropical forest.
• Develop community extension models for reforestation through applied research.
• Develop non-timber forest products and markets as a means of providing direct income.
• Offer health, nutrition and environmental extension programs not otherwise adjacent to our biological stations.