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NATIONAL PARKS Ecuador is one of the world's most bio - diversified country in both flora & fauna. Its biological richness is reflected in a variety of organisms: 10% of the world's vascular plant species is located within an area that covers just 0.2% of the earth's surface. Its diverse ecosystems have interacted throughout geological history in a variety of habitats. Just imagine all these regions in one country: The Galapagos Archipelago, the Pacific Coast, The Andes and the Amazon Basin. Then, picture ecosystems that include cloud forest, Andean peaks and dry or rainy tropical forests. To this, add mountain paramos and snow-rimmed volcanoes, glacial or tectonic lakes and inlets of humid mangrove forests. Plus don't forget the bordering ocean where the species are mixed and enriched by cold and warm currents. FLORA: Even though it is only the size of Colorado, Ecuador has 25,000 species of vascular plants, more than all of North America (17,000). For instance, the orchid family, for which Dodson has catalogued 2,725 species in Ecuador comprises up to 11% of the world's total and 30% of Latin America's orchid varieties. The Andes support 1,050 species. In the Amazon Basin and along the coast, around 800 species have been collected. FAUNA: Approximately 3,800 vertebrate species, 1,559 bird species, 320 species of mammals, 350 reptile species, 375 amphibian species, 800 fresh water fish species and 450 marine fish species have been catalogued in the country. When thinking in small, remember that Ecuador has more than a million insect species, among them 4,500 species of beautiful butterflies, of these 2,500 are nocturnal. All in all, Ecuador's treasury of fauna and flora is incomparable even to others found in much larger regions. If you love nature and want to see it in its purest state come to Ecuador and visit with us some of our fascinating National Parks.
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