Dry forest is more threatened but less protected than evergreen forest in Ecuador’s coastal region

Abstract

SummaryThe Ecuadorian coast has two main types of forests, which are differentiated by their phenology: dry forests are deciduous and more humid forests are evergreen. Less of the dry forests on the Ecuadorian coast is protected (13% of its area) than the evergreen forests (28%), and the area devoted to the protection of dry forests (1069 km2) is substantially less than the area devoted to the protection of evergreen forests (2800 km2). Yet the conservation status of dry forests is more critical, with 83% of their area classified as having very low connectivity, 70% as being highly fragile and 86% as being highly threatened. In addition, the dry forests have fewer protected areas than the evergreen forests. It is therefore necessary to increase the protection of deciduous ecosystems as part of a comprehensive national strategy because they support high levels of biodiversity and many endemic species.

A Revision of the Didelphid Marsupial Genus Marmosa Part 3. A New Species from Western Amazonia, with Redescriptions of M. perplexa Anthony, 1922, and M. germana Thomas, 1904

“…In the adjacent lowlands, M. perplexa seems to occur at drier sites where the forest is at least partially leafless in the dry season. Whether evergreen or semideciduous, however, the forests of southwestern Ecuador and northwestern Peru are among the most endangered habitats in the western hemisphere, and their endemic biotas are a focus of urgent conservation concern (Parker et al, 1995;Linares-Palomino et al, 2010;Ferrer-Paris et al, 2018;Rivas et al, 2020) Thomas, 1904 Marmosa germana Thomas, 1904: 143 (original description). Marmosa (Marmosa) waterhousei: Cabrera, 1919: 39 (part, germana treated as synonym).…”

The worrisome conservation status of ecosystems within the distribution range of the Spectacled Bear Tremarctos ornatus (Mammalia: Carnivora: Ursidae) in Ecuador

“…These indexes provided by the Environmental Ministry have been used in previous scientific papers (e.g. Rivas et al 2020).…”

Landscape Structure and Seasonality: Effects on Wildlife Species Richness and Occupancy in a Fragmented Dry Forest in Coastal Ecuador

“…The largest remnants of TDF are located in Latin America, a region where up to 40% of the original forest cover remains, but also the region where estimated deforestation (1980 to 2000) in TDFs is the highest [5]. Despite these high deforestation trends, TDFs are not well represented in conservation efforts in Latin America [6,7]. Particularly in the northwestern Pacific coast of South America, TDFs are estimated to be unprotected, highly fragmented and consequently at higher risk of human disturbance and further deforestation [6,7].…”

“…Despite these high deforestation trends, TDFs are not well represented in conservation efforts in Latin America [6,7]. Particularly in the northwestern Pacific coast of South America, TDFs are estimated to be unprotected, highly fragmented and consequently at higher risk of human disturbance and further deforestation [6,7]. While these numbers call for increasing conservation efforts to protect remaining forests, they also suggest that a better understanding of human-impacted TDF landscapes is needed.…”