Loma Alta reserve - Santa Elena

                                                Loma Alta's communal Ecological Reserve is located in the mountain range Chongon-Colonche.La Reserva was established by the same community to protect water sources and to avoid land invasions and losses. The reserve includes areas of cloud forest or Garúa, as well as secondary forests and regeneration areas. In the lower parts of the cordillera the vegetation is dry and decidua. The presence of Garúa and, therefore, the humidity of the forest, is greater in the months from June to October. Subsistence farming activities are carried out in the lands around the community (short-cycle crops, poultry rearing and cattle). Approximately 500 hectares of the reserve are destined to the cultivation of Toquilla straw (palmata) which is processed and marketed by the community. From the appointment of the reserve, the community of Loma Alta, with the support of Fundación Natura Guayaquil, established a policy of regulations for the sustainable use of the forest and its resources.

About 300 species have been recorded, including several endemic its, Chocó and other typically Andean species such as Adelomyia Melanogenys, Coelecta wilsoni and Flycatcher-. Loma Alta is one of the few sites where it has registered Acestrura's, which is in association with shrubs of the genus Psychotria.

                                        

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