The Andean Chocó is the union of two hotspots, which are biogeographic regions with the highest concentration of endemic species in the world: the Tumbes-Chocó-Darien and the Tropical Andes. This region is among the most biodiverse in the planet, but at the same time, it is one of the most endangered. For this reason, the Andean Chocó is considered a conservation priority worldwide.
The Andean Chocó in Ecuador
The Commonwealth of the Andean Chocó is a mega-diverse territory formed by the merging of six parishes from the northwest of the Metropolitan District of Quito (DMQ) with the purpose of managind their territory in a sustainable and inclusive way. These parishes are: Calacalí, Gualea, Nanegal, Nanegalito, Nono, and Pacto.
Conservation Areas of the Commonwealth of the Andean Chocó
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The Commonwealth of the Andean Chocó is located in the sub-basin of the Guayllabamba river, which is part of the Esmeraldas river basin, and is crossed by several tributaries such as the Alambi, the Chirapi, the Pachijal and the Mashpi rivers. For water conservation, it is necessary to protect our soil and our biodiversity, which is why more than 60% of our territory is part of different conservation strategies. The Areas of Conservation and Sustainable Use (ACUS) is one of the main conservation strategies. There are three ACUS throughout the territory: ACUS-Yunguilla, ACUS-Pachijal, and ACUS-Mashpi. The Ecological Corridor of the Andean Bear is another strategy which purpose is to protect the spectacled bear and other species from the same habitat. In addition, there are around 20 private and community-based reserves dedicated to conservation, restoration and recovery of forests, scientific research, sustainable tourism, and wildlife monitoring; as well as three Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA): Mindo, Maquipucuna, and Mashpi-Pachijal, which are true indicators of biodiversity in the area.
VISIT THE FORESTS OF THE ANDEAN CHOCÓ
ONE OF THE MOST BIODIVERSE REGIONS IN THE WORLD
