Introduction

Ecuador is a tropical country and is one of the most species-rich nations on the globe. Ecologists have labeled Ecuador as one of the worlds ‘mega diversity hotspots’. This has attracted increasing numbers of nature lovers from all over the world.

Flora

There are about 25,000 species of vascular plants in Ecuador and new species are being discovered every year.

Tropical dry forest is found in hot areas with well-defined wet and dry seasons. Tropical dry forest lose their leaves during the dry season and grow in less concentrated patterns creating a more open habitat. Tropical cloud forests are found in remote valleys at higher elevations. They are so called because they trap clouds and drench the forest with fine mist allowing some delicate species of plants and animals to survive.

Paramo’s are the high altitude grass and shrub land. . They have limited flora and are dominated by hard grasses a, cushion plants and small herbaceous plants.

Tropical rainforests seem to attract the most attention. Visitors to the rainforests are bewildered by the huge variety of plants and animals and sheer immensity of the trees found there.

Fauna

There are about 300 species of mammals and about 100 varieties of bats in Ecuador. There are several species of monkeys including the howler, spider, woolly, titi and squirrel monkeys. Other animals include the sloth, deer ,rabbits foxes, squirrels, ocelots, jaguars, tapirs, pumas and bears. Thousands of species of insects have been described in Ecuador and undoubtedly thousands more remain undiscovered. There are some 4500 species of butterflies, 360 species of amphibians and 350 species of reptiles recorded in Ecuador.

Deforestation is Ecuador's most severe environmental problem. In the highlands almost all of the natural forest cover has disappeared only a few pockets remain protected, mainly in private nature reserves.

Natural Parks and Reserves

There are 10 national parks, 15 natural reserves, a wild life refuge and a recreation area which are considered natural heritage and protected by the State. New reserves are added ever year. The national parks do not have the tourist infrastruture that one may be used to in other parts of the world. There are almost no hostels, campgrounds , restaurants, museums, scenic overlooks or information centeres and other other facilities. This makes it more exiciting for the adventurous traveler.