Fauna
The diversity
of the climate
and vegetation
have produced
a huge variety
of habitats
for hundreds
of animal
species, some
of which are
on the brink
of extinction.
Endangered
species include
bear species
unique to
South America
(Tremarctos
ornatus),
the paramo
deer (Odocoileus
lasiotis),
the American
Puma (Puma
concolor),
and the jaguar
(Panthera
onca).
The
Andes is home
to thousands
of birds,
including
the following
species:
Monte Hen
(Tinamus sp.)
Torrent Duck
(Merganetta
armata)
Andean Turkey
(Penelope
montagni)
Band-tailled
Pigeon (Columba
fasciata)
Rose-crowned
Parakeet (Pyrrhura
rhodocephala)
Blue-fronted
Parrotlet
(Touit dilectissima)
Rusty-faced
Parrot (Hapalopsittaca
amazonina)
Speckle-faced
Parrot (Pionus
tumultuosus)
Green Parakeet
(Amazona mercenaria)
Crested Quetzal
(Pharomachrus
antisianus)
Golden-headed
Quetzal (P.
auriceps)
Masked
Trogon (Trogon
personatus)
Green Monitor
(A. prasinus)
White-capped
Dipper (Cinclus
leucocephalus)
Bearded
Helmetcrest
(Oxipogon
guerinii)
Black-chested
Buzzard Eagle
(Geranoaetus
melanoleucus)
Flora
Andean
Cloudforest
is the main
vegetation
type. Remaining
green all
year round,
the cloudforest
is found between
2000-3000
metres above
sea level.
Vegetation
is dense and
compact, comprising
two or three
different
layers with
numerous epiphytes
and endemic
species.
Some
of the main
tree species
include:
Laplacea
fructicosa
Weinmania
jahni
Laurel (Ocotea
sp.)
Oreoponax
moritzii
Clusia sp.
Podocarpus
oleifolius
Cyathea sp.
Polylepis
sericea
From
3000m the
vegetation
begins to
change into
paramo thanks
to the effect
of the high
altitude.
The drier
vegetation
such as herbaceous
plants and
trees doesn't
grow higher
than 25m,
although you'll
find some
solitary trees
that are at
least 30m
high. In some
cases the
forest is
fragmented
thanks to
agricultural
expansion
in the past.
Last
updated 5th
July 2006
