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| On the way to the paramo we stopped at a (geologically) recent lava flow at an altitude of approximately 3000 meters to look at some of the agaves and orchids that have carved out a niche in this rocky terrain. | |||
The Antisana Ecological Reserve lies on the foothills of the 5705 meter glacier covered peak of the volcano Antisana. This reserve is privately owned and regulated, but its goal is the preservation of the native flora and fauna of the Andean paramo. Below approximately 3000 meters, the native flora is similar to what we saw at the Cotacachi reserve, shrubs, orchids and other specially adapted plants. We also saw this type of flora at a lava flow approaching the Antisana reserve. Above an altitude of 4800 meters very little vegetation exists, as this area is covered with snow year-round. Between 3600 & 4800 meters, however, we entered a habitat called the paramo, in which the plant and animal life are both highly adapted to the extreme conditions which are the norm here. Due to the high winds that regularly sweep this habitat, nothing taller than the grass and low lying succulents are found in the open. Even hardy, high altitude shrubs are found only in crevices and stream beds hidden from the wind. Plant in this habitat are pollinated by beetles or by birds, as the winds are too strong for flying insects.
Our trip to the Antisana Ecological Reserve included a bus ride to approximately 4000 meters where we saw rolling meadows, occasional ravines with taller vegetation, and a meadow/marsh of pillow moss bordering a highland lake. The pillow moss is so named because it forms unbroken hump-like pillows of vegetation that may cover acres of land. In addition, several of us made an optional hike up a small paramo summit. The side-trip allowed us to see a number of plants that we had not seen previously, and afforded us fantastic views of the area.
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| On the way to the paramo we stopped at a (geologically) recent lava flow at an altitude of approximately 3000 meters to look at some of the agaves and orchids that have carved out a niche in this rocky terrain. | |||
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Species lists
Lava flow - approximately 3000 meters: lava flow, poor soil, little precipitation, plants tend to be taller than those of the paramo, as the conditions are not as harsh here.
Plants
Animals
Paramo - at approximately 4000 meters: low precipitation, cold temperatures, and nearly constant high winds, a very rugged environment.
Plants
Animals