Introduction
Ecuador is a tropical country and is one of the
most species-rich nations on the globe. Ecologists have labeled
Ecuador as one of the worlds ‘mega diversity hotspots’.
This has attracted increasing numbers of nature lovers from all
over the world.
Please note
that additional info (prices, activities, etc) are found to the
right of this pages. 
Flora
 There
are about 25,000 species of vascular plants in Ecuador and new
species are being discovered every year.
Tropical dry forest is found in hot areas with
well-defined wet and dry seasons. Tropical dry forest lose their
leaves during the dry season and grow in less concentrated patterns
creating a more open habitat
Tropical cloud forests are found in remote valleys
at higher elevations. They are so called because they trap clouds
and drench the forest with fine mist allowing some delicate species
of plants and animals to survive.
Paramo’s are the high altitude grass and
shrub land. . They have limited flora and are dominated by hard
grasses a, cushion plants and small herbaceous plants.
Tropical rainforests seem to attract the most
attention. Visitors to the rainforests are bewildered by the huge
variety of plants and animals and sheer immensity of the trees
found there.
Fauna
 There
are about 300 species of mammals and about 100 varieties of bats
in Ecuador. There are several species of monkeys including the
howler, spider, woolly, titi and squirrel monkeys. Other animals
include the sloth, deer ,rabbits foxes, squirrels, ocelots, jaguars,
tapirs, pumas and bears. Thousands of species of insects have
been described in Ecuador and undoubtedly thousands more remain
undiscovered. There are some 4500 species of butterflies, 360
species of amphibians and 350 species of reptiles recorded in
Ecuador.
Deforestation is Ecuador's most severe environmental
problem. In the highlands almost all of the natural forest cover
has disappeared only a few pockets remain protected, mainly in
private nature reserves.
.Natural Parks and Reserves
There are 10 national parks, 15 natural reserves,
a wild life refuge and a recreation area which are considered
natural heritage and protected by the State. New reserves are
added ever year. The national parks do not have the tourist infrastruture
that one may be used to in other parts of the world. There are
almost no hostels, campgrounds , restaurants, museums, scenic
overlooks or information centeres and other other facilities.
This makes it more exiciting for the adventurous traveler.
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