Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Eco-Travel
State of the Environment
E
cuador's wealth of biological
diversity is seriously threat-
ened by human encroachment.
The voracious appetite of un-
sound 'economic development'
continues to consume the coun-
try's natural resources. In some
ways this trend resembles our own westward expansion across Eu-
rope andAmerica. The two special problems in this case, however, are
that (1) Ecuador represents the last of the planet's fortress of genetic
diversity, and (2) this development is not helping most Ecuadorians
in any way. In fact, economic development at the expense of natural
resources increases the income distribution gap and the colonization
of marginal lands.
Major threats to the remaining intact ecosystems include population
growth and colonization, as well as the petroleum, cacao, coffee, ba-
nana, palm oil, shrimp, and cattle industries. These activities, in
turn, are associated with the different regions of Ecuador: the coast,
the Sierras (Andes), and the Oriente (Amazon).
IN THIS CHAPTER
State of the Environment 61
Reserves & National Parks 65
Adventure & Outdoor
Activities 67
Tour Operators & Guides 70
Coastal Ecuador
Coastal Ecuador varies dramatically. From banana plantations,
coastal mangrove swamps, and cloud forests of the western lowlands,
the land transforms to the semi-arid desert-like plains of the south
coast. In the northwest, a dense vegetation of the coastal rainforest
dominates the landscape. In each of these areas, human impact has
significantly altered the lay of the land.
Tropical Dry Forest
From the coastal town of Portoviejo south to Peru, the semi-arid
plains once provided vital habitat for tropical dry forests. Much of this
has disappeared, along with a large number of plants, animals, and
endemic species. Population growth and a heavy investment in trans-
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