The tropical dry forests of south western Ecuador and the northwest of Peru (Tumbesian Region) are considered a world-wide priority for biodiversity conservation, due to the magnitude of its endemism of species, animals and vegetation, as well as the disappearance of approximately 95% of its original surface, caused by human intervention.
In this ecosystem, our effort focuses on the creation and consolidation of Conservation and Development Areas (CDA), in which, the local populations, interacting with their environment, become a fundamental part of the natural resources. In this sense, NCI is owner and administrator of the La Ceiba Natural Reserve (25,000 acres) in Zapotillo and the Laipuna Natural Reserve (4,000 acres) in Macará. The Reserves are implemented with management-sharing activities in participation with the local communities in their fundamental role as actors in: planning the use of the territory, accessing the natural resources and envisioning its development.
In order to increase the knowledge and assessment of this ecosystem, NCI is implementing the DarwinNet project: the Ecuador and Peru dry forest Clearing-house Mechanism (CHM), that promotes its natural wealth and the compelling necessity to undertake conservation measures.
