Expanding the Narupa reserve (Andes-Amazon, Ecuador)
To help protect threatened birds, mammals and frogs, 250 hectares of lower montane tropical forest will be acquired to expand Jocotoco’s existing Narupa Reserve and help connect two national parks – Antisana Ecological Reserve and Sumaco-Napa Galeras National Park.
Partner
Jocotoco is an Ecuadorian non-profit foundation which buys and manages land for conservation in one of the world’s most biodiverse countries. It currently manages ~40,000 hectares in 17 reserves across Ecuador, containing an extraordinary diversity of species (eg, ~1,000 bird species).
Location
Jocotoco’s Narupa Reserve harbours exceptional biodiversity as it is located in a region that transitions from the Andean foothills to the Ecuadorian Amazon. This Napo ecoregion is one of the most biodiverse areas on the planet. Narupa reserve serves as a link between the Sumaco-Galeras and Antisana national parks.
Priority species/habitats
The land to be acquired will help protect an extraordinary diversity of iconic and endangered species.
Globally threatened bird species, such as the Military Macaw, Black-and Chestnut Eagle, Harpy Eagle, Black Tinamou and Bicolored Antvireo have been recorded, along with a stunning array of hummingbirds, tanagers and other species. The adjacent Sumaco National Park has recorded over 800 bird species.
Threatened mammals include the Spectacled Bear and the Mountain Tapir. A range of other mammals are present including Ocelot, Puma and Neotropical Otter. The Narupa reserve is also home to several endangered amphibians including the Napo Giant Glass Frog, the Guayacamp Plump Toad, and Pristimantis cremnobates (no common name).
Key success measure
- Acquisition by Jocotoco Foundation of 250 hectares – one block of 200 hectares and another of 50 hectares.
- Incorporation of the land into the existing Narupa reserve.
- Effective management in perpetuity of the land by Jocotoco.
Fork-tailed Woodnymph. Photographer: Atticus Fleming
Gorgeted Woodstar. Photographer: Chris Bath
Harpy Eagle. Photographer: Michael Moens
Mountain Tapir, Tapichalaca reserve. Photographer: Nicolas Devos
Spectacled Bear
Military Macaw pair. Photographer: Mario Pilataxi
Ocelot. Photographer: René Rivas
Pristimantis incomptus, Narupa reserve. Photographer: Jaime Culebras
Project Description
The Jocotoco Foundation will acquire 2 properties covering 250 hectares in total.
One property (50 ha) is directly bordering Sumaco National Park.
The larger property (200 ha) is bordering an ecolodge that sits between it and the Antisana National Park.
The acquisitions are strategic, allowing Jocotoco to build connectivity with the mosaic of properties that currently constitute Narupa Reserve. The purchases will help consolidate Narupa Reserve and maintain forest cover on a landscape level.
- Narupa shown in forest green.
- The properties to be acquired are shown in salmon colour.
- The neighbouring national parks are shown in mint green.
- The bright, light green properties are managed by Jocotoco in a long-term conservation agreement.
- The mustard-coloured properties are pledged into conservation by local landowners.
- Properties in different shades of orange are communal land.
Narupa helps connect two national parks – Antisana Ecological Reserve and Sumaco Napo-Galeras National Park.
Analysis of the density of threatened birds throughout Ecuador. Shown are the relative values of the number of threatened bird species on a scale from green (few) to red (many). The most important areas are Canandé, the upper Napo valley (around Narupa) and the Nangaritza valley.
The Global Wildlife Fund contribution to the land acquisition will be provided under a grant agreement with Jocotoco which requires conservation of the land in perpetuity and reporting against project objectives. Project reports will be shared with Global Wildlife Fund donors.
Costs
The 200 ha parcel of land will cost A$325,000.
The 50 ha parcel of land will cost $85,000.
The land will be acquired as soon as sufficient funds can be raised.
Booted Racket-tail. Photographer: Chris Bath
Risk mitigation
There are no material project risks. The Jocotoco Foundation is a well established Ecuadorian charity with an excellent track record, strong governance and support from around the world. Ecuador has enforceable property laws, meaning acquisition is a viable strategy providing long term security for conservation outcomes. Jocotoco engages with local communities, delivering benefits through employment and support for local businesses. Nature-based tourism is a strong contributor to the Ecuador economy. There is a small lodge at Narupa.
Jocotoco Foundation
Narurpa is located in the Tropical Andes Biodiversity Hotspot which has the highest level of biodiversity of any of the world’s hotspots
Analysis of the density of threatened birds throughout Ecuador. Shown are the relative values of the number of threatened bird species on a scale from green (few) to red (many). The most important areas are Canandé, the upper Napo valley (around Narupa) and the Nangaritza valley.
Narupa helps connect two national parks – Antisana Ecological Reserve and Sumaco Napo-Galeras National Park.
- Narupa shown in forest green.
- The properties to be acquired are shown in salmon colour.
- The neighbouring national parks are shown in mint green.
- The bright, light green properties are managed by Jocotoco in a long-term conservation agreement.
- The mustard-coloured properties are pledged into conservation by local landowners.
- Properties in different shades of orange are communal land.