Welcome to El Angel Ecological Reserve

Zone Description

Located in the Province of: Carchi
Established: August 5, 1992 Ministerial Agreement No. 415
Area: 15,715 hectares -38,831.23 acres
Altitude Range: 3,644 - 4,768 meters above sea level 11,955.96- 15, 643.81 feet
Life Zones: bmhM, bhMB, bpSA

Description of the Region:

The natural vegetation of the El Angel Reserve consists mainly of grasses adapted to cold weather. The soil holds large amounts of water and acts as a sponge, providing water for the entire Carchi Province. Several rivers originate here and flow into the deep valleys of the Mira and El Angel rivers. This region is considered to be the most humid paramo (high-altitude exposed plain) in Ecuador. Surrounding areas have been deforested for timber and to clear land for agriculture; However, the reserve is working to maintain the remaining natural forest cover and preserve the unique frailejones that cover approximately 85 percent of the region.

Much of the area within the reserve has long been private property and the resulting agricultural and livestock activities threaten the fragile ecosystem. The plant layer of the soil has been degraded and the excessive use of fertilizers and chemicals has contaminated some of the rivers. In addition, landowners frequently burn the vegetation to prepare the soil for crop planting. Fortunately, these activities have been gradually declining since the reserve was established.