Exploring Ecuador's Ecosystems
Bibi Powers-McCormack '21 & Piper Boudart '20
During February and March of 2020, we travelled to Ecuador to conduct novel research, explore the country's ecosystems, and immerse ourselves with the Ecuadorian culture. We connected with the Ceiba Foundation for Tropical Conservation, a non-profit that promotes biological conservation and the introduction, education, and encouragement of local landowner participation in environmentally friendly practices. We worked with local landowners on building a biological corridor, contributed to ongoing environmental education lessons with the local children, and conducted inaugural research on ghost crabs, using their populations as a measure of human impact on local beaches. During our time abroad, we were able to explore the semi-dry deciduous forest, coastal Ecuador, and the páramo.
Here is our journey through Ecuador.
1. Reserva Bosque Seco Lalo Loor; 2. Don Juan; 3. Isla de la Plata; 4. Cotopaxi
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Semi-Dry Deciduous Forest
~ Reserva Bosque Seco Lalo Loor ~
With less than 2% of the original semi-dry forest habitat remaining in Ecuador, this unique habitat is highly threatened by the spread of agriculture and ranching.
We worked with the Ceiba Foundation for Tropical Conservation on the Lalo Loor Semi-Dry Forest Reserve.
On our hikes through the forest, we saw monkeys, toucans, and a diversity of insect species.
We participated in Ceiba's efforts to connect forest fragments by working with local landowners to make their properties more inviting to guests.
We also placed nine camera traps around the reserve to assist with an ongoing survey of the fauna and to get a chance to explore the diversity of the ecosystem.
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Coastal Ecuador
~ Don Juan ~
The coast in Manabí primarily consists of small towns that have little infrastructure but are heavily relied upon for fishing. The coastline is often bordered by sheer, sandy cliffs to the east that are topped with vegetation typical of the semi-dry deciduous forest.
We contributed in the collection of an inaugural data set for a new investigation on the impact of humans on the coastal ecosystem. Using ghost crabs as an indicator, we ran transects along several beaches counting the presence of crabs and human debris.
We also participated in environmental education sessions with the local children. We taught them about our crab surveying and let them practice collecting data.
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Isla de la Plata
~ Isla de la Plata ~
Isla de la Plata is a small island located 40km off the coast of Ecuador and can be reached by boats departing from Puerto Lopez. The island is popular among tourists as it is home to several charismatic species, including green sea turtles, blue-footed boobies, and dolphins.
We learned that the blue-footed boobies gain their famous blue feet as the result of pigments in the fish that they eat. Juveniles will only gain blue coloration after they reach maturity and begin fishing on their own, which occurs around six months of age.
Páramo
~ Cotopaxi ~
The páramo is an alpine tundra ecosystem that occurs exclusively in the neotropics. The Andean páramo extends across portions of Ecuador, Venezuela, Colombia, and Peru. These humid and rainy ecosystems serve as the main source of water for much of Ecuador, and thus are critical to conserve.
Small lagoons dispersed throughout the páramo attract a variety of waterfowl, including the Andean coot, Andean gull, Andean teal, Andean lapwing, Bard’s sandpiper, and solitary sandpiper. Small herds of wild horses can be seen grazing throughout the páramo in addition to small groups of llamas. Other mammals include the puma, spectacled bear, Andean fox, guinea pig, and more.
Conclusion
Our time in Ecuador was an incredible experience and provided us a unique opportunity to see and learn about a new country and continent. With traveling and study abroad options being restricted because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are even more grateful for our time in South America. The funding we were provided gave us an opportunity to study abroad during our undergraduate years and will help inform the decisions we make as we continue to pursue our education after Colorado College.
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank the Ceiba Foundation for Tropical Conservation, Colorado College Center Global Education, Colorado College Organismal Biology & Ecology Department, and the Keller Family Venture Grant for making this experience possible.