Flora
The
forest
of
frailejones
constitutes
the
most
outstanding
example
of
unspoilt
beauty
characteristic
of
this
area.
This
is
a
particularly
eye-catching
species
of
plant,
a
member
of
the
daisy
family,
which
is
almost
entirely
confined
to
the
northern
Andes
.
The
frailejones
of
this
Reserve
offer
a
uniquely
spectacular
view,
which
is
impossible
to
encounter
in
the
few
diminishing
frailejon
forests
that
still
remain
in
the
country.
Other
eye-catching
species
of
flora
within
the
Reserve
include
the
aliso
plant,
which
is
present
in
the
uppermost
sectors
of
the
rivers
Huarmiyacu
and
Cariyacu
and
also
in
region
of
La
Carbonera.
The
romerillo
,
along
with
the
colorado
,
is
also
an
important
species
of
plant
in
this
area,
which,
due
to
its
capacity
to
collect
rain,
promotes
the
growth
of
bromeliads,
creating
micro-habitats
for
insects
and
amphibians.
The
chiquiragua
,
a
species
of
bush
typical
of
this
paramo
,
is
also
present
in
the
highest
zones
of
the
area.
Plant
species
such
as
la
chilca
,
el
mortino
,
pampass
grass,
dragon’s
blood
tree,
la
dormidera
and
el
sunfo
are
utilised
by
the
area’s
inhabitants
for
medicinal
purposes.
Fauna
Nowadays
the
El
Angel
lakes
are
inhabited
by
a
species
of
trout
called
‘arco
iris’
(rainbow
trout),
which
was
introduced
into
the
waters
for
the
purpose
of
fishing.
However,
the
introduction
of
this
species
displaced
the
species
of
trout
native
to
these
waters,
of
which
sightings
nowadays
are
few
and
far
between.
With
regards
to
birds
and
fowl,
these
can
be
observed
at
Lake
El
Voladero,
Lake
Crespo
and
the
ravine
at
El
Curiquingue.
This
area
houses
a
wonderful
diversity
of
animals;
however,
reptile
population
numbers
are
diminishing,
although
an
exact
cause
for
this
has
yet
to
be
established.
Nevertheless,
it
seems
that
the
disappearance
of
amphibians
in
this
region
is
part
of
a
global
trend
due
to
changes
in
the
ozone
layer.
Last
Updated
18th
July
2006
