Buenaventura Reserve
Project Partner
Fundación Jocotoco
Project Summary
Buenaventura Reserve is the only reserve to protect the unique cloud forests of southwestern Ecuador.
Situated in the Eastern Cordillera Real Montane Forest ecoregion, on the edge of the Tumbes-Chocó–Magdelena and Tropical Andes biodiversity hotspots, the reserve contains a mix of species from the dryer forest of the Tumbes region to the more humid forests of the northwest.
The reserve harbours 15 globally threatened bird species, the highest number of any private reserve in Ecuador and is home to many endemic species including several reptile and amphibian species that are only known from this reserve.
Biome
Tropical & Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests.
Ecoregion
Eastern Cordillera Real Montane Forest
Habitats
Cloud forest, secondary forest and pasture.
Method for Land Protection
Land Purchase
Biodiversity
The reserve holds over 360 species of birds, of which 15 are globally threatened and 34 are local endemics. The upper part of the reserve is ideal habitat for the El Oro Parakeet and the Ecuadorian Tapaculo (Buenaventura is the only protected area where the latter bird has been documented).
In 2010, Jocotoco initiated a project for the reintroduction of the Ecuadoran White-fronted Capuchin Monkey. This monkey species was highly threatened in Ecuador until its extinction in the 90s. Jocotoco and visiting scientists continue to find new species in the reserve, particularly reptiles and amphibians.
Global Prioritisation
The reserve is an important bird area (IBA) as it is one of the few sites where two endangered species that are endemic to Ecuador have been registered: El Oro Parakeet and Ecuadorian (El Oro) Tapaculo.
Main Threats to the Area
Buenaventura Reserve is the only reserve to protect the unique cloud forests of southwestern Ecuador. The main threats in western Ecuador are deforestation and the resulting habitat loss.
Western Ecuador lost 95% of its forests below 900m in the 50 years following World War II. The main driver of deforestation in the lowlands is large-scale agriculture for the cultivation of bananas, shrimps, sugar cane, and oil palms.
On the slopes of the Western Andes, forest is cleared for small-scale agriculture, mainly cattle ranching and coffee plantations. Logging, albeit illegal is not sanctioned in the area. Additional emerging threats are mining concessions which have been granted to large areas north of Buenaventura Reserve.
Local communities
The Buenaventura Reserve is located close to the towns of Moromoro and Piñas in the El Oro province and within the Piñas and Atahualpa cantons. The predominant type of land use are pastures due to the large number of people dedicated to cattle farming.
The town’s population is mainly engaged in agriculture, livestock, forestry, and fishing. Some of the communities do receive water from the reserve and so are supportive of the project recognising the important resources the reserve brings to their community.
Jocotoco have also run a very successful education campaign surrounding the El Oro Parakeet and restoration.
