Flora
The
humid
paramo
covers
the
majority
of
the
area
consisting
of
flora
characteristic
of
this
‘life
zone’.
The
surrounding
communities
currently
pose
a
threat
to
the
Park
due
to
the
pressure
being
exerted
by
their
inhabitants
to
use
the
land
for
agricultural
and
live-stock
rearing
activities.
Therefore,
bush
fires
are
a
frequent
occurrence
along
with
the
continual
transmit
of
various
types
of
livestock
through
sectors
within
the
Park’s
borders.
Towards
the
eastern
borders
of
the
park,
forest
vegetation,
mainly
consisting
of
several
species
of
trees
and
bushes,
with
a
variety
of
orchids,
ferns
and
mosses,
can
be
found.
On
the
opposing
border,
towards
the
western
side,
there
is
an
abundance
of
species
of
trees
yielding
timber.
Species
of
flora
include
romerillo,
chuquiragua,
valerian,
quinoa
trees
and
the
polylepis,
an
indigenous
tree
representative
of
the
park
and
characterised
by
its
twisted
trunk
and
branches.
Fauna
It’s
worth
mentioning
that
the
only
testimony
to
cloud
forest
in
this
area
is
located
between
Lake
Llaviuco
and
Lake
Taitachungo.
As
is
also
true
of
the
lakes
of
the
El
Angel
Ecological
Reserve
in
the
north,
the
lakes
here
are
famed
for
their
trout.
A
variety
of
animals,
including
endangered
species
–
in
danger
of
extinction
mainly
due
to
traditional
hunting
activities
pursued
in
the
area
–
are
easily
spotted
within
the
Park.
Animal
species
include
rabbits
and
ducks,
as
well
as
those
native
to
the
Park
such
as
condors,
cervicabras,
pumas
and
deer.
Last
Updated
13th
July
2006
