Ecologists have labeled Ecuador one of the world's "biodiversity hotspots," and it's not hard to see why: within its small area, Ecuador contains twice the diversity of plant species of the entire north American continent, and this biodiversity is matched in the animal kingdom.

The diversity of habitats within the country probably accounts for this. Ecuador is home to many unique and threatened ecological zones: mangrove swamp, tropical dry forest, tropical cloud forest, paramo, rainforest, and the unparalleled biological hotspot of the Galapagos Islands.

Ecuador also faces immense environmental challenges, brought on by economic pressures. Habitat in the Amazon, coastal mangrove forests, and forests in the western lowlands is threatened and encroaching agriculture, timber and oil interests.

In the absence of a specific governmental office for the environment, conserving this incredible environment has become the concern of national and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), who provide much-needed programs to combat the rampant environmental problems, the largest of which is deforestation.

Groups on the Coast are concerned with the loss of coastal mangrove forest habitat, now obliterated nearly 95% by the shrimp farming industry.

In the sierra, groups like Project Páramo are working to educate people about the importance of conserving these unique high-altitude grasslands and shrub lands.

Groups in the Amazon focus not only on species identification and protection but on protecting the rights of indigenous groups and developing sustainable, tribally-managed ecotourism programs.

In the Galapagos, the Charles Darwin Research Center is a prestigious veteran protector of the region.

Many of these organizations rely on contributions from the public to help them continue their work. These contributions are desperately needed, especially by grassroots Ecuadorian agencies. Many also welcome volunteers. Getting involved with one of these worthy organizations is often an extremely rewarding and educational experience.

I you think you NGO´s work in nature conservation near Quito or in other Ecuador location, please drop us an email to know more and list here your organization.

NGO´s working in nature conservation
Ecovolunteer Urcu Puyujunda this organization works in Mindo Nambillo cloudforest to recover the cloud forest from the grass and agricultural use, if you want to know more about visit them at Mindo Ecuador Volunteer work.

Sources: Editorial Research Getquitoecuador.com
Last Updated: 2006-01-25