| Forest Conservation at the Laipuna Natural
Reserve
| One of the best remnants
of Tumbesian dry forest in the world |
One of NCI's flagship projects is its Laipuna
Conservation and Development Area (CDA) in southern Ecuador, which
conserves 12,000 acres of endangered dry forests along the Catamayo
River, in collaboration with surrounding communities. This threatened
area is one of the best remnants of Tumbesian dry forest in the
world, and boasts a rich level of biodiversity with many endemic
species. In fact, the National System of Protected Areas of Ecuador
considers it to be “the greatest area with the best conserved
vegetation of dry forest in the Macará and Zapotillo Region.”
 Almost
20% of the plant species in the area, in addition to 8 species of
mammals and 55 bird species are endemic, or found only in this ecosystem.
Thirteen species in the region are now considered endangered, and
over 21 species of amphibians and reptiles have been identified,
two of which are potentially still unclassified. Some mammals that
can be found in the forest include pumas, river otters, deer, the
collared peccary, and the sechuran fox. Unfortunately, over 95%
of the region's natural forest cover has been lost, making protection
of the remaining habitat of utmost priority.
NCI’s efforts at Laipuna involve both strict
conservation of the forest within our 4,000 acre private reserve
and work with the surrounding communities in the remainder of the
12,000 acre Laipuna CDA to promote conservation and sustainable
resource use. The area includes two community management areas of
the El Cardo and Numbiaranga communities (3,500 and 2,500 acres,
respectively), and a state property of 2,000 acres. Our programs
in the region include reforestation and forest enrichment, land-use
planning, and the improvement of the skills of five communities
in the handling of their natural resources around the Laipuna Natural
Reserve.
 Our
goal in the area is to continue to work to broaden the spectacular
conservation area along the Catamayo River and to continue our work
with neighboring communities on conservation and resource management
projects. We also plan to raise awareness about the dry forest through
education, ecotourism, and our DarwinNet project. The construction
of a visitor’s center within the Reserve is underway as well
to allow increased scientific research, environmental education
and visitation.
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