New Conservation Area in Ecuadorian Andes Protects Vital Water Sources

Andes Amazon Fund (AAF) proudly announces the creation of the Quilanga Municipal Conservation Area in Loja, Ecuador. Declared on May 6, 2022, the area spans 26,273 acres (10,623 hectares) of native forest and paramos with an altitudinal range of 6,560 – 8,860 feet above sea level. Its creation is the result of two years of research, consultation, and collaboration between the Municipality of Quilanga and AAF grantee Nature and Culture International.

Safeguarding fauna and water

Quilanga secures water resources and protects unique flora and fauna species. It is home to the critically endangered Ecuadorian Vizcacha (Lagidium ahuacaense), a species of mammal only found in the southern Ecuadorian Andes. The vizcacha was only recently discovered, with the first registered observation occurring in 2005, but fires and cattle grazing have affected its habitat and significantly reduced its population. The creation of the Quilanga Municipal Conservation Area comes at a crucial time for the protection of this species and the area’s paramos, which are a vital water source for local communities.

“With this measure, the last remnants of forest and paramo…will be preserved, as well as important archaeological sites for the country.”

– José Romero, Mosaic Coordinator at Nature and Culture International Ecuador

Other notable species that live in the conservation area include the oncilla (Leopardus tigrinus), Andean bear, tapir and the American kestrel (Falco sparverius). The habitat contributes to a connectivity bridge between Yacuri and Podocarpus National Parks, while buffering these montane ecosystems against the advance of agricultural expansion.

Acknowledgments

The creation of the Quilanga Municipal Conservation Area was made possible thanks to the effective collaboration between AAF grantee Nature and Culture International, the Municipality of Quilanga and vizcacha researchers from the Técnica Particular University of Loja. AAF’s financial support for this project was generously provided by the Wyss Foundation and by Art into Acres via Re:wild.