Protecting the Fog Forest of western Ecuador

Esmeraldas Woodstar

Ecuador is home to 130 hummingbird species, and the Tumbesian region of southwestern Ecuador where Dr. C. Dusti Becker has worked for the last decade, supports at least 30 hummingbird species, including the rare and endangered Esmeraldas Woodstar. The Tumbesian region is also an endemic bird hotspot, ranking "numero uno" as the continental region with the greatest number of restricted range bird species in the whole world. Out of the 55 endemic species, around 15 are threatened with extinction. The Esmeraldas Woodstar is one of these. It breeds in the Colonche Hills of western Ecuador, and with out the preservation of its habitat and the flowering plants it requires for survival, it and many other animals are doomed with extinction. HMN is teaming up with Dr. Becker and the community of Loma Alta to expand the protection of the fog forest.

Dr. C. Dusti Becker has been working in the Tumbesian region of southwestern Ecuador for the past decade. This region of Ecuador is home to at least 30 hummingbird species, including the rare and endangered Esmeraldas Woodstar, and is an endemic bird hotspot ranked number one for the most restricted range bird species in the whole world. Sadly, 15 of the area's 55 endemic species are threatened with extinction. The Esmeraldas Woodstar is one of these. The Woodstar breeds in the Colonche Hills of western Ecuador, and it along with many other animals are doomed to extinction without the preservation of its habitat.

Natural areas protected by the law are scarce in this region, and the few that do exist are small. This region of western Ecuador is consequently one of the most threatened ecosystems in the world. Local communities there are beginning to understand the need to protect their forests and the indigenous community of Loma Alta is leading the way. Currently they protect 6,000 acres of tropical moist forest from hunting, timbering and agricultural expansion. Originally, they protected the forest to protect their water supply. One of Dr. Becker's first studies showed that the fog forest captured more water than other vegetation types in the area. The community recognized the important function that the fog forest has for recharging the aquifer that they depend on for all their water needs. They protected their forest and now, the community embraces the need to protect their natural heritage and preserve the biodiversity of the area.

The people of Loma Alta and their community leaders are increasingly enthusiastic about maintaining this reserve's protected status. Armed with Dr. Becker's research results, they solicited Birdlife International to consider their preserve as an Important Bird Area. The preserve easily qualified. Much of Dr. Becker's work would not have been possible without the hard work of Earthwatch volunteers as well as the support of Earthwatch and other regional and international conservation organizations. For more information about her research and future research trips, please visit the Earthwatch website

HMN is joining the effort. In 2004, we more fully documented the occurrence of the Esmeraldas Woodstar in the Colonche Hills. Now, we are partnering with Dr. Becker, the community of Loma Alta, Birdlife International, and CECIA (Ecuador's Bird Conservation Organization.) to build social and governmental support for a larger protected area in the Colonche Hills. We will build partnerships with a variety of land owners in the area, including indigenous communities that own watersheds there by expanding on the successful approach that led to the establishment of the Loma Alta Community Ecological Reserve. Research will continue to better understand the habitat needs of the hummingbirds living in the Colonche Hills. By doing this research we are contributing directly to the preservation of biodiversity; especially the preservation of those endemic birds that reside only in western Ecuador, all the while facilitating environmental education and cultural exchange.