Sangay - Ecology

Ecology

Sangay is one of two active volcanoes located within the namesake Sangay National Park, the other being Tungurahua to the north. As such it has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983. The area's isolation has allowed it to maintain a pristine ecology relatively untouched by human interaction, and the park hosts a biome ranging from alpine glaciers on the volcanoes' peaks to tropical forest on their flanks. Altitude and rainfall are the most significant local factors affecting fauna, and therefore the most lush ecosystems are found on the wetter parts of the volcano's eastern slope.

The highest level below the snowline is dominated by lichen and bryophytes. Below this lies a zone of small trees and shrubs which develops into montane forest, principally in western valleys and on well-irrigated eastern slopes, which occurs below 3,750 m (12,303 ft). Tree heights develop from 5 m (16 ft) near the top to up to 12 m (39 ft) below 3,000 metres (9,843 ft); below 2,000 m (6,562 ft), subtropical rainforest is present, with temperatures between 18 and 24 °C (64 and 75 °F) and up to 500 cm (196.9 in) of rainfall.

Fauna is similarly distributed, with distinct altitudinal zonation present. The highest altitudes support endangered mountain tapirs (Tapirus pinchaque), cougars (Puma concolor), guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus), and Andean foxes (Lycalopex culpaeus). Lower down, spectacled bears (Tremarctos ornatus), jaguars (Panthera onca), ocelot (Leopardus pardalis), margays (Leopardus wiedii), white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), brocket deer (Mazama sp.), vulnerable pudús (Pudu sp.), and endangered giant otters (Pteronura brasiliensis) can all be found. Bird species common in the area include Andean Condors (Vultur gryphus), cock-of-the-rocks (Rupicola sp.), giant hummingbirds (Patagona gigas), torrent ducks (Merganetta armata), king vultures (Sarcoramphus papa), and swallow-tailed kites (Elanoides forficatus).