Andean Mountain Forests
Background to the region
The Andean region is comprised of the Andean Mountains or Cordillera, from the foothills into the true montane habitats above 1,300 metres and up to the tree-line and high altitude grasslands. The varied topography and climatic conditions have fostered evolution of numerous species that are highly specialised to particular sets of very localised conditions. This gives rise to high levels of species endemism and specialisation, two traits that make species uniquely vulnerable to changes in their habitats caused by human activities.
The inter-Andean region has a very high human population density and a long history of agricultural use. Consequently, it has suffered very severe forest loss and degradation, and species extinctions. The outer flanks of the mountains still carry extensive forest tracts but are also under pressure.
Project sites
The WLT supports partners working at the following Andean sites:
- Low altitude cloud forest at Buenaventura, on the Pacific slopes of the Ecuadorian Andes, with Fundación Jocotoco, supported by both the WLT reforestation and Carbon Balanced programmes
- Sub-tropical montane forest at Tapichalaca on the eastern slopes of the Ecuadorian Andes, with Fundación Jocotoco, supported by both the WLT reforestation and Carbon Balanced programmes
- High altitude Polylepis forest at the Yanacocha reserve, with Fundación Jocotoco, supported by both the WLT reforestation and Carbon Balanced programmes, the latter including designated long-term support from specialist ornithological tour operator Bird Holidays
- Cerro Candelaria, a reserve established by Fundación Ecominga, supported by the WLT reforestation programme and, through the Carbon Balanced programme, wildlife tour operator Naturetrek
- Sub-tropical montane forest at Rio Nea on the eastern slopes of the Ecuadorian Andes, with Nature and Culture International, Ecuador, supported by the Carbon Balanced programme