Chilla Municipal Conservation Area Protects Unique Ecosystems in the Highland-Coastal Transition Zone of El Oro, Ecuador

On April 9th, 2025, the Municipal Government of Chilla, in the El Oro province of Ecuador, moved to protect 47,561 acres (19,247 hectares) of montane cloud forests and páramos by establishing the Chilla Municipal Conservation and Sustainable Use Area (Área de Conservación Municipal de Uso Sustentable). This area was established to protect Andean forests and páramos, which are highly biodiverse and provide important ecosystem services in a transitional area between Ecuador’s Andean highlands and Pacific coast. Over 300,000 acres (123,000 hectares) of biodiverse ecosystems are now protected in the El Oro province with the establishment of the Chilla Municipal Conservation Area.

Endemic Biodiversity Richness and Strategic Ecosystems

The Chilla Municipal Conservation Area spans seasonal piedmont shrublands, montane shrublands, and Andean páramo wetlands. These ecosystems protect diverse fauna and flora communities with high rates of endemism and support regional hydrological regulation by capturing, storing, and gradually releasing water to ensure a consistent water supply throughout all seasons of the year.

Chilla conserves the headwaters for tributaries such as the Casacay River, a river which supplies the majority of water for Machala (Capital of the province of El Oro), El Guabo, and Pasaje municipalities benefiting more than 470,000 people in the El Oro province. The conservation area is adjacent to the Southern Ecuador Water Protection Area, and through its establishment has expanded the territory which supports water security in Southern Ecuador.

Although there are still no specific biodiversity inventories in Chilla, studies by the National Biodiversity Institute of Ecuador-INABIO, indicate that the piedmont forests of El Oro are highly biodiverse. Species present in Chilla include numerous endemic and threatened species, such as the El Oro parakeet (Pyrrhura orcesi), the El Oro tapaculo (Scytalopus robbinsi), the tropical royal flycatcher (Onychorhynchus coronatus) and the ochraceous attila (Attila torridus), as well as mammals such as the spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus).

Conserving Chilla’s Natural Heritage from Mining, Deforestation and Fires

Like other Andean ecosystems in Ecuador, Chilla faces threats from mining, deforestation, and forest fires. These pressures cause direct loss of vegetation cover and fragment habitats which reduces the ability for populations of species to move freely between habitats. This isolation in turn increases the risk of species extinction, threatening the diverse composition of these unique ecosystems. Chilla specifically serves as an important corridor for the El Oro parakeet (Pyrrhura orcesi), protecting the core range of the species’ habitat against these threats. Deforestation had also undermined the ecosystem’s capacity for absorbing and gradually releasing water from precipitation, jeopardizing the security of the region’s water supply. The legal protection accomplished for the area through the establishment of the Municipal Conservation Area ensures that the forest will remain intact and contribute to water security for communities in Southern Ecuador.

Chilla not only protects forests and water sources; it also safeguards unique natural sites such as the Lecher Waterfall, Portete Hill, Yayurco Hill, Ruisicocha Lagoon, Chillacocha Lagoon, and El Panecillo Viewpoint, which are popular tourist attractions. Preserving these areas supports the community’s local identity and opportunities for sustainable tourism.

Chilla is Committed to Long-Term Conservation

Municipal Conservation and Sustainable Use Areas in Ecuador require significant input from local communities for ongoing management. Chilla is no different and the involvement of stakeholders in surrounding areas has been fundamental to the creation of the conservation area. Following the establishment, Andes Amazon Fund grantee Nature and Culture International (NCI) will continue collaborating with the local government and community members to create a management committee and plan for the area. NCI will also look to further involve key stakeholders dependent on the area’s water sources.

The conservation of forests, water sources, and biodiversity in Chilla not only benefits the municipality but also strengthens the resilience of the entire province of El Oro by safeguarding ecosystems that provide environmental services. The establishment of the Chilla Municipal Conservation and Sustainable Use Area will help to preserve key habitats and strategic water sources, as well as to strengthen regional ecological connectivity, an important element for maintaining the resilience of Andean ecosystems in the face of climate and anthropogenic pressures.

Acknowledgements:

This achievement was made possible by the Municipal Government of Chilla. Technical support was provided by Nature and Culture International – Ecuador, with financial support from the Andes Amazon Fund. The Andes Amazon Fund’s financial support for this project was generously provided by the Wyss Foundation.