The Biodiversity of Ecuador's "Oriente"

Comprehending the Biodiversity of Ecuador's Rainforest

Aug 10, 2008

Ecuador's "Oriente" is reputed to contain more diverse plant and animal life than any other jungle in the world. With its ratio of species per area, it ranks number one.

While only 7% of the earth’s surface consists of tropical rainforests, they host approximately 50% of the planet’s biodiversity. Such rainforests are those in Africa, Asia, and Central America. However, the largest of such rainforests exist in the Amazon River region of South America. This area is notably the largest, but also the densest rainforest in the world.

Ecuador's "Oriente"

Actually, a significant portion of this South American rainforest exists in Ecuador. In fact, most of the eastern half of Ecuador is jungle and numerous rivers flw through this region and feed into the Amazon River. This Amazon River Basin is one of the four distinct geographic regions of Ecuador and is known as the "Oriente"

Because Ecuador is one of the smallest countries in the Americas, by the math, it has the greatest biodiversity per area in the world. A study by Conservation International, an organization dedicated to conserve biodiversity, ranked Ecuador among the 17 countries as “mega diverse” (including Australia, Brazil, China, Mexico, and the United States). So, with its ratio of species per area, it ranks first.

Exuberant Biodiversity

So many unique species of plant and animal life exist in this area that it is difficult to easily put it in perspective. It is estimated that over 100 species of trees can be found in this rainforest area and in the Coca River area (closer to Colombia), it contains an estimated 6,000 plant species. A rich North American forest, by comparison, may contain fewer than 4,500 plant species.

However, the most diverse types of life in the rainforest are the insects. Although it is truly difficult to pinpoint an accurate number of on how many species of insects there are, it has been estimated to be around 30 million. It is estimated that one acre may contain 70,000 species of insects in the jungle and the insects in the Amazon are larger and more colorful than in other areas of the world. One significant example is the 7,000 species of butterflies existing in this area compared to 20,000 species in the entie world.

Within the waters of the Amazon Basin region, it is also estimated that there are over 1000 species of fish (including electric eels and piranha) as well as more than 400 species of amphibians and reptiles. There are also cayman, freshwater dolphins, and manatees living in this environment. Also, approximately 400 species of birds (including macaws, toucans, and the large harpy eagles) inhabit this area of the rainforest.

Of the various mammals that inhabit the “Oriente” there are armadillos, deer, honey bears, monkeys, jaguars, ocelots, peccaries, pumas, tapirs, tree sloths, and wild boars.

“World Heritage Site”

The rainforest, as we know it, has been estimated to be around 100 million years old. It is a prime reason for the diversity that exists in this region. In addition, the stability of the climate and environment has created the possibilities of an incredible symbiosis between the vegetation, the insects, and the animals.

In the face of the destruction of the rainforests, several areas within Ecuador’s Oriente have been set aside as National Parks and National Protected Areas. Also, other privately owned areas have been established as private rainforest preserves. UNESCO has even declared two of Ecuador’s National Parks to be “World Heritage Sites” and Sangay National Park in this region is one of them. Places worthy of a visit before it's too late.

The copyright of the article The Biodiversity of Ecuador's "Oriente" in Safaris/Jungle Travel is owned by Dennis Jamison. Permission to republish The Biodiversity of Ecuador's "Oriente" in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.